Page 15 of Marked By The Filthy-Mouthed Grizzly
Because when my girl finds out what I’ve done, she might never want to see me again.
Mate or not, I’m on thin fucking ice.
CHAPTER SIX
Erica
Ihope I look okay. I didn’t bring too many clothes. I really didn’t think I’d have a hot date on this trip, so I didn’t bring anything sexy. But this seems okay. I think.
I’m wearing my lucky, hip-hugging blue jeans and I bought a cute black top in a little shop in town. I wish I didn’t have to wear this big bulky bandage over my tattoo. I can’t wait to show it off. Magnus did a phenomenal job and I love it.
Something hits me while I’m doing my makeup.
Doesn’t he have a mate?
Shifters have mates. They don’t go on dates with random women. So why is Magnus interested in me?
My neck starts tingling and I touch the spot, wondering if it could be…?
No. That’s ridiculous.
But it would make sense. The way he was looking at me with all that desire and need. The intense feeling of possession in the air. The way we were so on edge, like we were both a secondaway from tearing each other’s clothes off. Could that mean what I think it could mean?
“You look beautiful,” my aunt Jenny says as she pops her head into the bathroom. “New top?”
I smile shyly as I brush some blush over my cheeks. “Yeah. I picked it up in town at the cute little shop by the post office. Thought I’d try to dress like someone who’s not completely falling apart inside.”
Jenny half-smiles, half-frowns as she leans against the doorframe, her arms crossed and her head tilted. “You don’t have to be okay all at once, Erica,” she says softly. “It’s okay to be… in-between. You’ve been through a lot.”
I nod as I grab a tissue to keep the tears from smudging my mascara.
She steps closer and gently plays with my hair. “I want you to have fun tonight. You deserve some light in your life.”
I smile as I nod. “Thanks, Aunt Jenny. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she says, hugging me from behind. “I know your home is in Louisville, but your roots are here. You should come by more often. I’d love to see you more and you’re welcome to stay with me anytime you’d like.”
I sink into the hug, feeling like this might be where I’m meant to live. Louisville has never felt… right. And now that my brothers are gone, I’m seeing this town in a new light. I don’t know… The mountains and natural beauty… It feels like it’s calling to me. I’m getting this indescribable feeling that this is my true home.
“You’ll text me if you need anything?” she asks.
I nod, feeling lucky to have an aunt like Jenny. She’s only fifteen years older than me, so she’s always felt like more of a cool big sister than an aunt.
She steps closer, studying my face critically before grabbing the eyeliner out of my hand. “Okay, step aside. We’re going to take this from sweet girl next door to ‘I might ruin your life.’”
I laugh as she leans in, steadying my chin with a firm grip. “This is the secret sauce,” she says, applying a subtle smudge of smoky liner on the corners of my eyes. “This is the kind of look that gets you pinned against a wall in the best possible way.”
“I could use some of that,” I say, eyes wide as I try not to blink.
“Trust me,” she says with a mischievous grin. “It drives men absolutely feral.”
I roll my eyes playfully but feel a thrill as I glance at the mirror. She's right—it does look hot.
Jenny hands me a tube of lipstick. “This too. Subtle. No gloss. You want it to smudge just a little to get him wondering what your lips would look like after a hot make-out session.”
My cheeks warm, but I take it from her with a smirk. “You’re kind of terrifying.”
“And you’re kind of a knockout,” she says, stepping back with her hands on her hips like she’s proud of her work. “Now go knock him dead.”
