Page 10 of Honey Heat
Dot, the waitress, bagged it all up, making sure to add assorted condiments and plasticware. Five bags. Lucio had never ordered so much food before.
He wasn’t even sure if Ethan was allowed to eat any of it. But if the bear was, Lucio wanted him to have something comforting to eat.
Nope. He wasn’t going to question his motives, his sanity, or why he was going out of his way to take care of Ethan. He was going to ignore the voice in his head that said he was already invested in the guy.
Lucio just felt responsible for the bear since he’d been the one who’d found him.
Then why was Ethan the first thing you thought about as soon as you woke up?
“Shut up,” he grumbled to himself as he parked in the clinic parking lot. It had been a long time since he’d had someone to take care of. Not since his hermana died nine years ago.
Lucio rubbed his sternum, something he always did whenever he thought of Kayla.
After grabbing the bags, he used his foot to close the truck door and headed inside. The receptionist wasn’t behind her desk, so Lucio walked to the back to find Boone sitting in the chair Lucio had occupied since Ethan had been brought in.
Why was the bear alpha still in wolf territory? It was highly unusual for an alpha to allow another alpha to stay for long.
Because his son is at a wolf clinic.
Boone glanced Lucio’s way, his brows furrowed as he gazed at the bags.
“Thought I’d bring you guys some breakfast.” So much for feeding his osito. Lucio completely ignored the fact he kept claiming the bear as his, even if his wolf whimpered to get closer to Ethan. Lucio would’ve thought his wolf had chosen the bear shifter, but it wasn’t going insane, so he figured his beast was just concerned.
Then hazel eyes turned toward him, and something melted inside Lucio. “Good morning, osito.”
He could’ve sworn Ethan’s eyes just lit up, but the shifter quickly looked away.
But not before he’d seen the blush spread over Ethan’s cheeks.
“You always bring breakfast to patients?” Boone asked, still eyeing Lucio suspiciously.
The guy might be a chill person, but clearly not when it came to his son. Lucio would have to tread carefully.
“A regular Nightingale,” Dr. Martinez murmured from his desk without looking up.
If Boone wasn’t still staring at him, Lucio would’ve rolled his eyes. “Like I told the doctor, I found Ethan, so I feel responsible.”
From the look in the bear alpha’s eyes, he wasn’t buying it. Thankfully, he didn’t call Lucio out on the lie.
Dr. Martinez cleared his throat, setting down his tablet. “Hold your horses, Alcaraz. Ethan can only have the pancakes and eggs. His stomach needs bland food while his body processes those pain meds.”
“You’re the boss, Doc,” Lucio acknowledged, sorting through the bags to find the right container.
Boone’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen then squeezed his son’s shoulder. “Gotta take this.” His massive frame moved with surprising grace as he headed for the door.
Once Boone and the doctor disappeared, Lucio slid into the vacated chair beside Ethan’s bed. It creaked under his weight as he opened the Styrofoam container, releasing steam and the buttery aroma of pancakes. Scrambled eggs nestled beside them, a small pool of melted butter glistening on top.
“You brought me breakfast?” Ethan asked, his voice soft but stronger than yesterday. “Are you this nice to everyone you rescue from certain death, or am I special?”
Lucio’s lips quirked up. “Only the cute ones get breakfast delivery.”
“Lucky me.” Ethan tried to push himself up, wincing slightly at the movement.
Without thinking, Lucio reached out to help, sliding an arm behind Ethan’s shoulders to gently lift him. The warmth of the bear’s body seeped through the thin hospital gown, and Lucio caught a faint trace of honey and pine beneath the antiseptic smell of the clinic.
“Thanks,” Ethan murmured, suddenly very close to Lucio’s face. Those hazel eyes had flecks of gold in them, Lucio noticed.
“De nada.” He adjusted the pillows behind Ethan’s back, taking a bit longer than necessary. “Comfortable?”
