Page 66 of Shifters' Fated Summer
“If Cade ever comes along, I don’t know how I’ll handle both of them,” I admit. “Luca is already a lot.”
“You’ll figure it out. And it’ll be really fun trying things together,” she said, winking. “There’s all sorts of options.”
My pulse stuttered. I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I was too shy to ask.
“You know, the two of them are really opposite. I suppose that’s not helping right now,” she mused. “I mean, Luca gets off on taking care of you.”
“I noticed.”
“But I think Cade is attracted to people who are strong and confident. So next time you want to put yourself down, try to remember that you are his fated match. That means you are confident and powerful.”
“I don’t know about that,” I protested.
“Hey, ladies,” Archer said, standing in the doorway. “Having a nice time?”
He strode in and leaned over the sofa, stealing a handful of chips. Before stuffing them in his mouth, he leaned over and kissed Elowen on the lips. It was a quick peck, but both smiled sheepishly. They were head over heels for each other, and I wantedthat so badly.
But maybe I already had it… Luca appeared in the doorway. “There you are, wildcat,” he said softly, crossing the room.
“Do you want any help cleaning up?” I asked Elowen, wanting to be helpful before Luca dragged me away.
“Oh, no. We can finish these off. Don’t worry.” She held up the bowl of spinach dip for Archer who scooped some up with another chip.
“Wow, this is hot,” Luca said, picking up my hand and turning it so he could admire my purple nails. “My favorite color.”
“You’re so funny,” I said, rising.
“I’m serious! It’s pretty and it looks good with my tattoos,” he said with a goofy smile. “Are these dry enough for you to use your hands?”
“Yes, and get out of here,” Elowen said playfully. Archer had abandoned eating chips and instead had his hands on his mate.
Blushing, I pushed Luca into the hallway. He kissed my palm and drew me closer until he could wrap his arm around my waist. “I missed you.”
“Needy much?” I said, as if I wasn’t clinging to him at that moment. He laughed, and the smooth sound was a balm to my anxious soul.
Smirking, he tugged me down the hallway and closed his bedroom door behind us. The room was empty.
“No Cade?” I asked, hating myself for having a shred of hope.
“That would be a fun surprise, but I doubt it. Unless we lure him in through your bond.”
My heart squeezed. “I don’t want to keep trying to seduce him. Besides, he’s probably feeling pretty crummy.”
“And you feel fine, right?” he asked, pressing the back of his hand to my forehead.
“I’m fine!” Rolling my eyes, I changed the subject. “How was the meeting?”
That threw ice water on his flirtations. Sighing, he let his shoulders droop, hand rubbing over the back of his neck.
“Cade doesn’t want to wait for the next full moon. Which makes sense, I guess. They’ve predicted our movements. So he wants to move fast.”
“How fast?” My fingers curled inward anxiously, and I was pleased to find my nails really were dry.
“I don't know. Hopefully tomorrow, but it’ll depend on how preparations go.”
“How can I help?” I asked.
Beaming, Luca framed my face with his big hands. “Just be your beautiful self andrelax. We’ve got this.”
