Page 37 of Heartless
MARIPOSA
Breakfast at Reaper’s parents’ continued with lightheartedness and good cheer. We ended up staying well past lunchtime, the conversations going on and on until my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It wasn’t an unpleasant time, but I didn’t realize until we got back on the bikes how drained I was. The moment we pulled up to the B&B, I hopped off and headed for the backyard.
“Where you off to, sugar?” Reaper called after me.
"I'm just going to hang out with the chickens for a bit." But really, anyone who'd give me a bit of space and not ask a million questions would do. Chickens just seemed like the perfect creatures for the job.
“Okay, but don’t leave the B&B,” Reaper said. “Not without one of us.”
“I know,” I huffed with more annoyance than I intended. Maybe it was him being overprotective that was getting under my skin more than anything else. Ever since his dream from Daren, it felt like I could never be alone anymore.
While I escaped the chatter of the B&B, heading for the patio furniture near the coop, Freyja darted off in the opposite direction of the yard.
Shadow must be out here. He could usually be found working out when he didn’t have anything else going on. The guys had cobbled together quite the collection of old weights, tires, and various other equipment to exercise with.
It took all of five minutes of sitting and watching chickens peck the ground for me to decide that Shadow was the one person I didn't want space from. As much as I tried to avoid staring, I could still see him across the yard, doing his best to work out with Freyja winding herself around his ankles.
But did he want space fromme? He was remarkably easy going whenever we were together, affectionate and warm without being overbearing. If I didn't know any better, I never would have believed he'd never been in a relationship before. He took everything in stride, even when I left him to spend time with my other men. And now it was me wondering if I should go over and see him, or if that would be too much.
Fuck it. My cat has no shame, why should I?
Getting up from my chair, I meandered that way slowly, trying to look casual and not like I was intent on invading Shadow's personal space. Which was exactly what Iwantedto do, especially right then as he laid back and bench pressed a rusted barbell with concrete plates.
I am too thirsty for my own good. Just his breaths and grunts of effort heated me from inside out. The hard edges of his body, muscles coiling and stretching with his presses, pulled my gaze until I could no longer pretend to casually wander. It was almost a shame no woman had ever truly appreciated that body.
No one except me.
"Watch out, kitten. Coming up."
With a soft chirp, Freyja walked from her seat on Shadow's stomach to his thigh. She balanced on his leg as he rolled upright.
"Hey." Looking up to find me there, he braced one arm on his knee, panting slightly as he pet Freyja with the other hand. "Thought you might be near if the cat was."
"She's usually a good indication of that," I said.
Shadow had tied his hair back in a messy bun that was either hit-or-miss in terms of how good it looked on men. Unfortunately for my thirst, I'd never seen it look better than on him or Gunner. A few strands came loose, falling over his face as he looked down to pet Freyja.
"Here, kitten. You can have my bench." He picked her up gingerly as he stood, then placed her back down where he'd been reclined before, grabbing his T-shirt.
"You don't have to stop on my account." A feeble protest as I watched beautiful lines of scars disappear under black fabric.
"I was just finishing up," he mumbled, gaze turned away as he rolled the shirt down his torso. "How was breakfast?"
"It was good. Just...a lot."
"A lot?" He moved closer to me, straightening his shirt over his body.
"Yeah, a bit emotionally heavy as we took time to remember Daren and Reaper’s other father. After that, it was a lot of...smiling and answering questions about my life. Being polite and engaging and sweet, so I can impress these people I've never met before." I let out a sheepish laugh, bringing a palm to my face. "I don't know if I'm making any sense, but I haven't had to do that in a long time and it was exhausting."
"I think I know what you mean." Shadow moved closer to me, close enough to touch but his arms stayed frustratingly at his sides. "I felt like that at the governor's dinner. It was why I dipped out early. Socializing feels like a performance sometimes and it's draining."
"Yes, that's exactly it." I turned to him, wanting to slide my arms around his tapered waist and rest my head on that solid chest. "Reaper's parents are lovely, and I enjoyed meeting them. It was just a big morning and I need to unwind from it all."
Shadow tilted his head slightly, like he was pondering something. "Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." I shook my head unashamedly. "I don't."
His face brightened as he reached for me, a tentative touch on my waist that I happily leaned into until his whole palm rested on my side. My hand came to his wrist, stroking lightly up his scarred forearm. His small smile was warm, eyes downcast and shy.
