Page 206 of His White Moonlight
“Will he?”I could hear his clawing through the doors.
“He’ll have to if he wants to come out of the closet.”
Despite everything, I snorted.
“There’s my Wren,” she said softly.“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“We made a bet that I lost.He wanted to collect on the kiss that I owe him, but I asked for an extension until the stitches are out.”I hesitated for a second.“I said it was in case the kiss turned into something more on purpose so he’d agree to wait.”
Grandma chuckled.The soft sound helped deescalate some of the fear running through me.
“I imagine it will be a while before he can use his hands.Do you want company?”
I looked down at myself, realizing my only covering was the plastic wrap.
“No, I don’t think so.Will he be all right with me once he’s out?”
“Yep.What you need to do is sit outside that door and tell him how much he scared you, and ask if he’s going to shift and risk your safety every time you try to get close to him.That’ll set him on his heels for a good while.The last thing he’ll want to do is risk your safety.And he certainly doesn’t want you to be afraid of getting closer to him.”
“If he hurts me, you have to promise to be his executioner on my behalf.”
“Without hesitation,” Grandma said.“I love you, my sweet little Wren, and that has nothing to do with who you might be to Bennett.Now go make him regret his frayed control.”
“I will.Thank you, Grandma.And I love you too.”
As soon as I hung up, I eased the bathroom door open, hoping that he wouldn’t hear me.Based on the continued scratching and growling, he didn’t.I streaked out of my room and into his.Then I raided his closet for a shirt that covered my ass.
Less exposed, I returned to my room.I didn’t approach my closet, though.I stayed right by my door.
“Bennett?Can you hear me?”
All sound from inside the closet stopped.
“You told me not to be afraid of you…that you’d never hurt me.But what just happened scared the hell out of me.And the way you’re clawing that door isn’t giving me any safe vibes.Are you going to shift and risk my safety every time I try to get close to you?”
A soft thud came from the door.
“I’m going to take my plate to the kitchen and eat there to give you some time to calm down.When you’re back to yourself and dressed, come find me.Okay?”
I heard a quiet chuff, which I took as a sign of agreement.
Watching the door, I crept around the bed for the plate of food he’d left there.Then I bolted.
Everything had happened so fast that the food was still warm when I sat down at the island.I ate a few bites, then removed the plastic wrap from my arm.
After I finished my food, I put the plate in the sink and debated what to do next.I was tired and just wanted to go to bed, but I wasn’t sure it would be a good idea to fall asleep before I knew Bennett’s state of mind.
I wandered out of the kitchen.
My phone buzzed with a text before I reached the bottom of the stairs, and my stomach dipped when I saw Bennett’s name.
Bennett: I left a pain reliever and a glass of water on your nightstand.If you’re willing, we can talk in the morning.
CHAPTER THIRTY
I staredat the hallway at the top of the stairs, debating what to do.
It didn’t bode well for me that Bennett was keeping his distance this time, not after that big of a control slip.I shouldn’t have insinuated that I was willing to do more than kiss him because I wasn’t.I hadn’t changed my mind.After everything I’d been through, I deserved a life of my own, on my own terms.
