Page 64 of Banished Mates
His attention on me was like a stab to the chest, so I avoided his gaze, pressing my lips together. Impatient, Camden was already out of the car and pulling my door open. I slid away from Rowan and jumped down.
The home was wide from the front, but from the side, the build was narrow. It stretched into two stories and was built with bricks. Moss crawled up its sides, adding to the charm of the house.
Kit pushed the door open and looked back at me. I trailed after him and pressed my fingers into the crook of his arm. The muscle twitched as he tensed.
I lifted wide eyes to his, frowning, but he avoided my gaze. I was uneasy about us already and he wasn’t making it any better.
Did he not want me anymore?
The next breath I dragged into my lungs hurt. I studied his profile, taking in the taut lines of his jaw. It only took two strides for him to surpass me and my fingers limply fell off his arm.
It was a good thing if he didn’t want me, then he wouldn’t be embroiled in the shit following me.
If I told myself that enough, maybe I’d believe it.
The chasm grew between us, causing a fissure in my heart.
The front door opened to a small hall, about ten feet deep and then opened to a living room. I followed him as he flicked the lights on. I didn’t have time to observe the room before he dragged me to the side and pulled open the last door down the hall.
“I figured you’d like your own space, so I had this room remodeled.” Kit’s arm stretched out and I stepped into the bedroom.
A floral upholstered settee rested in the middle of the room with a crystal coffee table in front of it as a plush cream carpet lay beneath it. Swirls were carved up the poles of the four-poster bed and the curtain frills matched the lining of the bed. My wolf writhed in my chest. She was happy with the space, and she ached to toss herself into the mounds of pillows and rub her face all over them.
“I also have a cozier space for your nest upstairs, but I wanted you to set that one up yourself.” A grin tugged at the corners of my lips, and I whirled toward him.
Kit watched me, guarded.
It deflated my excitement. He’d been careful with me... I puffed out a breath and ran my fingers through my hair. What was wrong with him—no, whathadbeen wrong with him?
A thump from down the hall echoed to us and he turned away, frowning. Rushing forward, I gripped his wrist, holding it tightly. An uncomfortable tension squeezed my chest. His brows lowered.
“What is it, lass?”
I licked my lips and released his wrist. My Kit—always so patient. When he looked at me, I had his entire attention as if no one else in the world existed.
Withdrawing my hand, I shook my head and stepped back. A small indent formed between his eyebrows.
“Kit,” Camden roared. Kit pivoted toward the yell, but paused, peering back at me. I pressed my palm into his shoulder blade and waved my hand to prompt him forward. A curse from outside had him striding away as I watched his wide shoulders disappear down the hall.
Palm at my chest, I rubbed in small circles to soothe the ache. Was Kit pulling away from me? No way, right? He wouldn’t have brought me to his house... given me this room if he wanted to leave. Or maybe, he was helping me find answers and then leaving.
Shit, my chest and head hurt.
I hugged myself, attempting to hold my whirring emotions at bay. A distraction would be great right about now. Turning away from the door, I swept my gaze across the bedroom and inched close to the bed, sinking my fingers into the cream silk sheets. So soft. My attention lifted to the mass of pillows in the middle of the bed and I dropped facedown into them. I swept my arms out, hugging them close and squishing them. The bed frame creaked with my wiggles. The space was perfect for us. I froze.Ifthey wanted to stay with me.
I groaned and scooted back, resting on the corner of the bed. Elegance bled from every inch of the room. My fingers traced the lace lining of the comforter. It was nice in here, but I needed all three of my mates to make it perfect.
Thumps pounded down the hall, too insistent for me not to bound to my feet. Camden poked his head in, his shirt wet and splattered with mud.
“Will, a pipe broke. Kit’s shutting the valve off, but we need to head into town for supplies to fix it.”
I nodded quickly.“Okay, be careful,” I signed.
He turned but pivoted to face me. In a couple strides, he stood before me and bowed to press his lips to my forehead, his wine-colored hair rustling with his movements.
“We will be back soon. Rowan is staying to protect you. He’s staying outside until we get the water running so he can wash the mud off.”
I stared up at him, taking in the planes of his face and those lips.Do not jump him.I laced my hands behind my back and cleared my throat.
