Page 25 of Shifters' Fated Summer
“You could have just petted my hair earlier to relax me,” I grumbled.
“But then I wouldn’t have heard that beautiful noise you make when you come,” he answered without hesitation. “Next time, I want to be the reason for it, so I hope I’ve won you over by then.”
I should have argued, or better, found a way to get out of this house, but I was still basking in my afterglow and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter 9
Scenting
There was no alarm, no one walking in and demanding blood. I slept deeply, and Luca was still wrapped around me when I woke in the morning.
He smiled sleepily and nestled back into his pillow. I had the impulse to kiss him, but I held back, knowing I wasn’t ready to enter a romantic relationship with him.
Being his mate-approved side piece was unappealing, even if the man himself was downright irresistible. I didn’t know what direction was up, who I could trust, or what the hell I was going to do. It was definitely not the time to get myself a boyfriend.
Shame heated my cheeks. What was I thinking?
After having his hands all over me, his chest against my back and breath on my neck, I had lost my damn mind.
If I was returning to Evrin, I needed to scrub this werewolf from my skin and forget all about him. The idea felt sour in my stomach when his lashes fluttered open and he ran his fingers through my hair affectionately.
Slowly, we disentangled ourselves, my leg slidingfrom between his. The bed smelled like him, and I sucked in a deep breath of that pine scent before sitting up. Hopefully, he didn’t notice.
I did my best to ignore the hard-on he had on display as he rolled out of bed. He seemed unbothered, raising his arms to stretch and revealing a swath of toned stomach with the edges of tattoos peeking out. He wasn’t completely covered, and I was aching to examine all of his artwork and see what stretches of skin were bare. That fantasy would have to go into the back of my mind and be forgotten. Swallowing, I peeled my eyes away from his body.
“I’m going to go take a quick shower and change. Will you be okay on your own?” He paused at the doorway.
“I promise I won’t fall down or accidentally burn myself while you’re gone,” I teased. “I know you prefer to be there when I’m disastrous.”
Luca’s brows furrowed. “I’m serious. No risks and no leaving this room or the bathroom until I return. Promise me.”
“I promise,” I said, unbothered by his demand. The concern was evident in every line of his beautiful face, and his request seemed reasonable.
After he disappeared, I quickly pulled on clean clothes and visited the bathroom. It only took a moment to brush my teeth and hair, leaving me feeling fresh and ready for whatever the day would bring.
It needed to be escaping from this house, but thatsomehow seemed wrong. Scowling, I gave a shake of my head and my hair fell over my cheeks. My fingers smoothed the strands down and tucked them behind my ears.
When he returned, Luca brought two bowls of fruit and toast slathered with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
We sat cross-legged on the bed, knees touching. I wasn’t ready to face the strangers outside of this room, nor a particular Alpha. Luca was far more pleasant. I appreciated him choosing another food item that I could eat without the intense flavors overwhelming me or upsetting my stomach.
Smiling, I scooped a berry into my mouth and crushed it with my tongue, savoring the tart flavor exploding on my tastebuds. Delicious. My hunger roared to life and I shoveled in two more pieces of fruit, nearly groaning with the taste.
After finishing my toast, I glanced up to see Luca staring at me. He wet his lip, his tongue running over his piercing.
“What?”
Dark lashes fluttered as he blinked. “Nothing, I’m just happy you’re eating. You had me worried about how thin you are. Here, have my toast too.”
He shoved his second piece of toast into my hand and watched with his lips slightly parted as I took a bite.
“You’re being weird.” I licked crumbs off my lips.
Luca shook his head,raking his fingers through his curls. “I’m sorry, it’s a werewolf thing. My wolf wants me to feed you. I know it’s a little strange. Don’t worry about it.”
“Why?” I asked, drawing out the word and raising an eyebrow.
“I’ve felt protective of you the moment we found you. It’s only grown stronger. We instinctively provide for those we care about. Especially food.”
