Page 18 of Code Mages & Empty Pages
She laughed softly, and it settled something in me. “I don’t mind. I think I needed that.”
I didn’t know what possessed me, but I reached up and tucked a curl behind her ear. She exhaled a shuddering breath when my hand lingered a second longer than necessary. Her eyes shimmered in the low light.
“You’re part of the family now,” I said, my voice a little rough. “If you ever need an emotional support wolf, you know where to find me.”
Dawn met my eyes and for a second, everything else faded away. “Thank you, Luc,” she whispered.
I finally let go and we got in her car. The warmth of her skin stayed with me all the way home.
Inside, I reached out and caught her gently by the arm.
“Dawn, there’s something I want to say.” My voice came out soft and low.
She turned to me, lips parted and uncertainty flickering across her open face. I fought down the wild, hungry urge surging under my skin.
“I didn’t offer you my guest room to put you in my debt, or because I expect anything from you. I just want you to feel at home here, for as long as you need.”
That got a real smile out of her. “Me too. I’m so glad you let me stay.”
A reluctant grin tugged at my mouth. “Honestly, I’d rather have you here and safe than worrying about you in that old cottage.”
With another small smile and a whispered “Good night!” she disappeared upstairs.
I stared after her and waited until I was sure she’d disappeared in her room. Living together wasn’t exactly easy, not with my rut looming over me. I’d always prided myself on self control, but sharing space with Dawn made everything sharper. My skin tingled, and every sense was on high alert. I wanted nothing more than to walk into her room and lose myself in her.
Maybe a hard session at the gym tomorrow would help me get my head on straight, at least for a little while.
Chapter 7
Dawn
“I’ll take my own car to work today,” Luc told me over a shared cup of tea the next morning. “I have something this afternoon.
“Oh, okay.” I had no idea why it unsettled me so much. It wasn’t that I thought he had a date.
What if he has a date?
Luc called himself my “emotional support wolf” last night, and it made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. He still treated me with… not contempt, but a careful distance. Like he was keeping himself on a very tight leash around me, never letting himself slip. Sometimes, I thought I caught glimpses of something softer underneath, a flash of real vulnerability, or maybe just exhaustion. Maybe I was imagining it, and he was just being polite. But a part of me hoped it meant more, that he trusted me enough to peel away the layers and reveal the real him, if I just waited long enough.
“I have a meeting with my coach at the gym later,” he explained and took another sip, running his free hand over his neck fluff.
“With your coach at the gym?”
“Yeah, I’ve been working out,” he said, looking a little sheepish.
Gosh, he’s so cute.“I didn’t know you went to the gym. Is that why you sometimes get home later?”
“Yeah, exactly. I’ve been on a bit of a ‘getting my shit together’ kick lately. You know, I’m over 30 now, and it feels like that should be something I should do.”
“I see, that’s cool. Yeah, have fun. I’ll see you at home later. I don’t know, maybe you want to hang out? Want me to cook something for us? I bet you’re hungry after your workout.”
Don’t sound like you’re trying too hard, Dawn.
“Yeah.” Luc gave me a half smile, and it melted the flesh of my bones. “That’d be amazing. Thanks, Dawn.”
“You’re welcome. It’s the least I can do. I mean, I’m not great at cooking, but I’ll try not to poison you.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be fine.”
