Page 42 of Banished Mates
Pinpricks of heat washed over my arms and to my toes, slicking down my skin. It felt so damn good. Scotland was colder than any place I’d experienced. I sighed and tipped my head back as water spilled down my chest, chasing the chill away. With it came clarity. I’d invited that woman in and Kit was out there. I yanked the body wash from the shelf and poured it into my hands, lathering it before spreading it on my body.
It smelled like Kit. Like bergamot and oranges, but the scent came off his flesh as if he emitted it.
The door creaked as I rubbed the scent into my skin and Rowan lay on the ground, his head near his paws as he watched me finish bathing. Wait a moment. I had someone here who knew who the girl was and could easily tell me.
I tapped on the glass door and Rowan lifted his head, tilting it to the side. I turned my hands in circles, trying to tell him to shift, but he just stared at me. I huffed, turning off the water and grabbed the towel hanging over the stall to wrap it around myself.
I was still chilled but no longer felt like I would freeze into a popsicle.
Stepping out, I used the towel at my feet to shuffle over to Rowan. He tipped his head to the side as I crouched in front of him and tugged at his hair and then pointed at my lips.
He simply stared back. I puffed my cheeks out and rubbed my forehead. Falling to my knees, I lifted my hands to my chest to denote large breasts. Mine were big, but her were another level of big.
I mimicked a larger bosom and pointed toward the door and then shrugged.
He just stared.
I huffed and mouthed,Bria, who?
Rowan’s muzzle opened on a wolfish grin and the fur sank into his skin. His head was lowered when he shifted, but his shoulders shook hard. Was he okay?
I frowned and reached forward to set my hand on his arm. When he lifted his head, I saw he was laughing. I stared, stunned by the transformation of his face. The glinting eyes, the flashing white teeth as he chuckled. My mate was fucking hot.
I licked my lips.
Wait a minute, he was laughing at me. I scowled and poked him.
He’d known what I’d been asking. He straightened and my gaze fixed on the toned muscles of his chest. The smooth flesh was enchanting.
I shook my head hard. No, hormones, damn it.
A flush of heat flooded my gut and spread outward, and I fanned my face. It was awfully hot in here. I rubbed my hands on my arms and shivered, trying to chase the tingling feeling away.
It wasn’t working, and Rowan’s skin looked so nice. I shivered again. Next thing, I was rubbing my palm against his pec. It jumped under my touch. What would feel even nicer was rubbing against his fur while he was in his monster form.
I wet my lips, a tremble rushing over my arms. But before that, I needed to get a space. I ached for a space for myself. Blankets upon blankets, their fur,ooohand pillows. Lots of pillows sounded so good right now.
I bounced to my feet. I knew exactly where I wanted to gather my blankets and pillows. Walking directly toward the bedroom, I pulled on the long blue shirt Kit had laid out for me, then bunched my fingers into the bedding. The socks fell to the ground while the pillows rolled onto the sheetless bed. I hugged the heavy blankets to my chest, hiking them up so they didn’t touch the floor.
Rowan was frowning and looking at the bed. I stomped my foot and jerked my head to the pillows. Without waiting, I turned on my heel and inched down the hall, balancing the tall pile blocking my view. I made my way slowly, using memory to not knock into anything. That looked like the entrance of the living room, and once I took the turn, heat from the fire crackled the wood. This was where I wanted to be.
I strode near it and dropped the pile of blankets. I needed to hunt for more to make it comfortable enough for me...
My gaze lifted to Bria staring directly at me. My eyes narrowed and my shoulders tightened. She was a threat. Why was she in my space? This was my nest.
My wolf’s emotions rushed forward, yanking the thoughts to the front. That’s what this was—my nest.
The itchiness still lingered beneath my skin but a new aggression rushed forward.
I narrowed my gaze and tilted my head. She licked her lips and rubbed the back of her neck.
“Wow, you smell amazing.” She cleared her throat noisily. “I know he probably told you we were lovers...” The rest of her words faded into the background. She was going on about how mates were precious and all this crap I didn’t care to process.
They’d fucked. Kit and her. My stomach dropped to my knees but on the heels of that was unbridled rage. I lunged at her, shifting midair. It hurt like a bitch, but I forced it forward. She slammed onto the ground, and I landed over her, my still shifting paws thudding near her head.
I shook out my head, fur flying off me.
“Willow!” Kit shouted, and wood thumped to the ground. I snapped my teeth in his direction.
