Page 115

No, I need to get better at fighting back.

I can teach you self-defense. He quickly sent her a video link entitled “How to Throw a Punch Without Hurting Your Hand.” That was a straightforward lesson for her to start with. He’d already watched the therapy videos she’d sent him, so he figured she’d appreciate him reciprocating. Matches helped each other. Watch this. We can train together later.

I’d like that. I don’t ever want to feel helpless again. Another pause. Do you think Saxon killed Ben because of me?

No.

Sax was stalking me. He could’ve seen Ben approach me at the bar and been upset. So he killed Ben out of some twisted jealousy.

Kahn considered the idea. It wouldn’t explain Ben’s abandoned phone, but it did fit a lot of the other evidence. No way was he telling Randa that, though. It felt like one of those things he’d say, and then everyone would slap their foreheads because he was so dumb.

Randa kept going. You were probably in danger too, Kahn. If he knew we were a Match, Sax would’ve targeted you, just like he did Ben.

Being your Match is worth any risk. Besides, Sax was never a threat to me. No one is. I’m too damn incredible.

Randa gave a soft scoff.

It’s true! I’m exceptionally skilled. Extraordinarily strong. Always right.

You weren’t right about Ben being the stalker.

Kahn made a face, still unwilling to let go of his favorite theory. Maybe he’s not really dead. Maybe he’s faking.

Randa threw a pillow at him.

Kahn laughed. Fine. Sax and Ben aren’t that interesting, anyway. Tell me what else is on your mind.

She sighed. The memory sharing.

Okay, that was promising. Kahn hunted for a reply that would keep her communicating. I’m sorry it upset you.

I’m glad it happened. It just made me feel exposed. All my life, I felt like no one really knew me. Only now YOU do. Because you’ve been inside my head.

He did know her. He knew that even with just three feet between them, Randa felt more secure texting him. The screens allowed her to open up without any self-consciousness. Kahn was fine with that. (For now.) It was why he’d introduced the idea, in the first place. He just wanted her to keep letting him in. He wanted to listen to everything she had to say.

You’ve been inside my head too.

Kahn, everything I saw there was good. I promise. Even in your worst memories, I saw how deep you loved your family.

He hoped she knew that he loved her just as much. Feelings developed fast in a Phase-Match, but it was more than that. He fell for her long before he knew she was his mate. The woman owned him.

He was afraid that saying any of that would scare her, even in the safety of a text. He settled for a heart emoji. Then he made a face, feeling like a dumbass.

Randa seemed encouraged by it, though. I could see in your memories that you like touching. I can learn to do that more. If you’re ok with it.

I am ok with you touching me anytime and anywhere. But only when YOU feel like doing it. He didn’t want to pressure her or for her to submit to something just to please him. He wanted to be the one who pleased her.

This time she sent him a heart emoji.

His actual heart flipped. We should redo our doomed first date. Maybe they’d have the opportunity to hold hands this time. He loved it when she held his hand.

Dinner wasn’t so doomed. I enjoyed it.

You ran out of the restaurant crying and a madman tried to kill you. You didn’t even get food.

I still enjoyed it. I’d wanted to ask you out since the singles mixer, but I didn’t know how. Jules and Rye gave me an excuse to make it happen.

After years of feeling forgotten and alone, Kahn finally knew what it was to be blessed. Gaia had crafted a woman just for him. Or more likely he’d been crafted for her. To fit into Randa’s heart and arms forever. There was nowhere else he’d ever belong.