Page 18 of Sweet Giant

Considering how wet I’d gotten last night, a long, hot shower was in order. With lots of soap, exfoliator, shampoo, conditioner, etcetera. Whatever the hell was in the cabinets, I would slather it on my body. Maybe if I bathed and used lots of products on myself, I might be able to better hide my scent should I become all hot and bothered again.

No matter what, I needed to refrain from sneaking a glance at Mastorr’s crotch or his very squeezable butt. I also shouldn’t ogle his muscles or get all dreamy over that deep rumbling tone of his that was also somehow gentle.

I took a thirty-minute shower and doused myself in scented soaps and various shampoos. Fortunately, when I arrived four months ago, all the bathrooms in the cabin were already stocked with toiletries. Good thing too because while I tended to be low maintenance, I sure did appreciate all the perfumed options right now. Even if some of them made me sneeze.

After drying my hair and getting dressed in yoga pants and an oversized sweater, I spritzed some perfume over my clothing. Yeah, the general must’ve had a special lady friend (pre-Frankie) who’d visited him from time to time, because I’d also found some lace panties in one of the dresser drawers.

Well, I wasn’t going to wear second-hand undies, even if they were pretty and expensive looking, but I would gladly use the upscale toiletries.

I paused in front of a full-length mirror in the bedroom and checked my appearance. Then I felt like a big idiot, because why should I care how I looked? I didn’t want Mastorr to find me attractive. I wanted him to leave the cabin, to leave me behind and mate with another.

Sadness abruptly filled me. It hit me without warning like a blow to the chest. The mere thought of saying good-bye to Mastorr left me heartsick. And the idea of him mating with another woman? Well, that made me want to start my own damn war.

Godfuckingdammit.

I was catching feelings.

The sort of feelings I’d promised myself I would never catch again.

After one freaking day.

A crush, I told myself. It was just a little crush. No big deal. I would ignore it. I would ignore it and wait until the opportunity to escape Mastorr presented itself. Then I’d stick to my plan that would allow me to contact General Remington for help.

I opened the door and peeked into the hallway. My gaze instantly met with my big, sexy Sasquatch admirer’s. He was seated on the floor with his back to the wall, his legs spread just enough to give me a clear view of his semi-hard cock.

He shot to his feet and approached me. “How did you sleep, my sweet mate?”

I opened my mouth, preparing to inform him that I wasn’t his sweet mate and he’d better stop calling me that, only to realize it was too freaking early and I didn’t have the energy to argue. Perhaps I’d be up for a squabble after a cup of coffee or two.

“I slept just fine,” I eventually replied. Should I ask how he slept? I glanced at the hardwood floor and experienced a stab of guilt. Had he really slept here on the floor outside my bedroom door just to be close to me?

A pleased look entered his pale blue eyes. “Good,” he said. “Are you hungry? I left the cabin at first light and gathered breakfast. I hope you like pokklam berries. I was lucky to find some growing inside a hollow tree nearby.”

Breakfast? He’d risen early and foraged for food?

Be still my stupid heart.

I found myself smiling at him, and I was thankful that he seemed at ease. There was no tension or awkwardness between us as I’d feared. It was as though today was a fresh start. A new beginning.

“Wow, Mastorr, that was really kind of you to find something for breakfast. I’ve never tried that kind of berry before—I’ve never heard of them, actually—but I love all kinds of fruit, so I’m sure I’ll like it. Thank you.” How were berries able to thrive at this time of year? Hm. I would ask him about it later.

He beamed at me and stepped closer, only to instantly take a step back as his nose wrinkled. “Why do you smell so strange?”

“I, um, took a shower.”

He leaned in and took a quick inhale, and his nose wrinkled anew. Wow. Even though I’d purposely doused myself with perfume and other products, his reaction hurt my feelings. He peered around me and shot a suspicious look in the direction of the bathroom.

Ugh. He was right. Iwasstinky. I could barely stand myself. I’d sprayed way too much perfume and used way too much scented soap and shampoo in the shower.

To my relief, Mastorr straightened and gestured toward the stairs. He looked a tad confused but he said nothing more about my weird smell. “Come have breakfast, my sweet mate. It has stopped snowing for the time being, and there isn’t a huge amount covering the ground yet, so perhaps after you eat, we can enjoy a walk along the stream. Just a quick walk, though, since it will likely resume snowing before midday. I find the forest is most beautiful after a snowfall.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Chapter15

LIV

My boots crunchedin the snow as we walked side by side. I was bundled in a jacket, gloves, and a hat, yet I still shivered whenever the breeze picked up. Today was at least ten degrees colder than yesterday. Meanwhile, Mastorr seemed perfectly fine, his fur no doubt keeping him toasty warm.

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