Page 117 of Witch Unexpected
“I’m sorry, Charlotte.”
“Don’t be. I’ve had a century with the men I love. It would be greedy to ask for more.”
“You don’t know for sure ending your binding will affect your relationship.”
Her smile was sad. “No, but I know what’s happened in the past. The love the wolves feel is linked to their mating instinct. Once that’s gone, the love usually fades.”
“But not always.”
“No. not always. There have been cases in the past…” She shrugged. “It’s a risk, always a risk.” She sighed. “But today is an exciting day for us all. A new anchor, a fresh sheen on the seal, and rest for me.” Her smile was weary but warm. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll lie down for a while.”
“Of course.”
She still looked young, mid-forties, if that, but when she walked, it was painful to watch. I resisted the urge to get up and help her. Charlotte was a proud, strong woman, and I knew instinctively she wouldn’t appreciate the reminder that she needed assistance.
I drained my coffee mug just as the sound of raucous laughter drifted through the kitchen door. A moment later, it was flung open, and Tor and Leif spilled in, dewy-skinned, damp-haired and bare-chested, joggers hanging low on hips. Rune padded in next, and the scent of the forest overpowered the lingering aroma of bacon. My eyes did a happy dance at the feast of cobbled abs, prominent Adonis belts, and bulging biceps.
The guys filled the kitchen with their powerful presence, sucking the oxygen from the room, and I was content to sit there and suffocate because the view was epic.
Leif caught me ogling and winked. I winked back. Tor went straight to the fridge, pulled out a carton of orange juice, and began to glug. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the column of his throat. Okay, I lie, I totally tore my eyes away, but then my gaze was on his chest, roving over the ink that decorated his taut bronze skin. My fingers itched to trace the lines and whorls of the pattern, and my tongue ached to lick the dew drops from his skin.
Rune nudged my thigh, breaking my concentration. I looked into his hazel eyes flecked with gold and felt my neck grow warm.
“No judging.” I widened my eyes. “A woman can appreciate beauty when she sees it.”
He chuffed.
“Damn straight,” Leif said. “You look all you want, Cora.” He pulled out a chair opposite me and sat back, thighs wide. “You can even touch if you like. Sharing is caring, and what are friends for, right?”
Leif wasn’t as hulking as Tor, but his body was just as toned and powerful as his friend, and his creamy skin, unmarred by ink, was just as appealing. He sucked on his bottom lip and smiled.
Yeah, Leif was going to test the boundaries, no doubt about it, and after the hot kiss we’d shared in the Rover, I knew exactly what I’d be missing out on. Our gazes locked and heat lanced between us. He was recalling it too. The way we’d ground together, wet and hot through our clothes. The way his tongue had invaded my mouth, plundering and stealing my breath.
Okay, now I was getting hot.
I wasn’t usually the first to quit an eye-off, but there was a first time for everything, and self-preservation trumped winning.
I dropped my gaze to Rune. “Where are the others?”
“They came around the front and went straight to Charlotte,” Leif said.
And just like that, the mood shifted to solemn.
Tor growled. “Fuck this. Get dressed.” He jerked his chin at me. “We’re going out for breakfast.”
I looked down at my plate, smeared with yolk from the runny eggs I’d just eaten, and made a meh face. “Yeah, I could eat.”
Tor bared his teeth in a feral grin. “I like a woman who isn’t afraid to sate her hunger.”
Leif blinked sharply. “Whoa, Tor, have you been reading paranormal romance novels again?”
“No, Leif,” Tor smirked down at the crimson-haired Adonis. “Your collection of literature is safe.”
I bit back a smile.
Leif shot Tor a mock annoyed look. “Aw, fuck. Now she knows where I get all my lines.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
