“He looks as though he could be one, no?” Penny motioned to me. “No one else could be so perfect.”
Callum’s expression softened. “He is quite perfect. I agree.”
Cheeks heating, I spun toward the door and exited the medical ward.
Briar looked up from the mortar and pestle he was using to grind herbs. “Has he woken?”
I nodded. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep too.”
I had slept the entire morning and part of the afternoon away.
“You stayed up all night worrying over him. A nap served you well.” Briar stepped over and kissed my temple. “Have some coffee. I’ll tend to him.”
Didn’t have to tell me twice. Regardless of the time of day, coffee made everything better. Kisses from the men I loved did too. Briar blessed me with a soft one to my lips before going into the medical ward.
I sat with a steaming mug and looked out the window. A breeze moved through the large oak tree, and the sun peeked through the branches. How was the café doing? Did Miles haveeverything handled? I hadn’t gotten the chance to tell him I wouldn’t be there today.
“Afternoon, little treasure.”
I snapped my attention to the far corner of the clinic, seeing swirling shadows but no sign of my sexy spy. “Ro?”
“Right here.” His voice came from behind me now, exciting the hairs on my nape. Goosebumps formed on my skin at the tickle of his breath. “The pup sent me. He said he felt your unease and wanted me to reassure you all was well. He’s helping Miles with the baking.”
My connection with Lake must’ve strengthened for him to be able to sense my emotions from so far. The awareness came with a stinging behind my eyes.
Rowan lightly chuckled and wrapped his arms around me from behind, bringing with him a peppery scent. “You’ve only been gone for one day. Stop lookin’ like a sad toad.”
“One day away from any of you feels like forever.” I turned in my chair to face him. He wore earthy tones that afternoon; a brown tunic, forest green neckerchief, and black trousers. Not his masked and mysterious self but still just as handsome. Similar to the first time I’d met him.
We’d come so far since then.
“I recognize that look.” Rowan slid his hand to my neck and leaned in, ghosting his lips across my jaw. “You want to throw me down in some hay and fuck me silly, don’t you?”
I smiled. “Caught me.”
“I reckon I’ll have to wait my turn though.” He gently bit my neck. “The rabbit hasn’t been initiated into the harem yet.”
“Oh my god, Ro.”
A raspy laugh left him. “I hope Specs makes him drink the flower juice.”
The sex tonic that cleansed the body of any diseases. It only had to be taken once between exclusive partners. But oncewas bad enough. The taste could best be described as grabbing a handful of flowers from the dirt and shoving them into your mouth.
“Cal and I won’t be doing anything like that until he heals,” I said, body flushing at the thought. I was definitely no virgin, but being with someone for the first time still caused nervous flutters. And not justsomeone, but with my cinnamon roll of a knight.
I wanted it to be special.
“Where has that prince wandered off to?” Penny’s voice filtered in from the medical ward. “He’s so cute I just want to squeeze him.”
“He’s enjoying some coffee,” Briar responded. “If you think him cute now, you should see him when he’s cranky. Precious is too small a word.”
Rowan laughed. “Put another one under your spell, eh? A woman this time.”
“Oh, stop.”
He flashed his fang before planting a kiss to my lips. “I should return to the café. Miles was baking croissants when I left.”
“My carb thief.” I hugged his waist. “And the spy who stole my heart.”
