Page 24 of Shifting Winds
She shook her head and sighed. A moment later, she closed the distance between us, resting her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and inhaled her ever-changing scent. I’d noticed it a while ago. Depending on what magic Evie expended that day was how she smelled. Today, she smelledheavily of fae, a wild scent of metal and winter, with a tinge of greenery, probably from the magic she’d just used when I surprised her.
“It’s too late to eat. I’m tired and need a couple hours of sleep. I have to work tomorrow.”
I scooped her in my arms to her laughing protest. “Then let’s go to bed.”
She twined her fingers around my neck. “No funny business, wolf. I really am tired.”
“My business is never funny. But I’m tired, too. And I sleep better wrapped up in you.”
Her face softened, and she turned her head, pressing a warm kiss to my collarbone.
“Ditto,” she said softly.
A moment later, I lay her underneath the blankets and slid in beside her, bringing her against my chest. Her palm rested over my heart.
I lay there until she fell asleep, her soft breath against my skin, and vowed to keep her, no matter what fate brought us. Evie was mine, even if she fought against the bond growing between us; I never planned to let her go.
Chapter
Nine
The room was full of vines and flowers. I blinked awake to the smell of jasmine and night-blooming tobacco, soft petals brushing against my cheeks.
“Oh shit,” I whispered.
My bedroom looked like a jungle had exploded.
Caelan stirred against me, tightening his grip against my abdomen. He nuzzled my neck and placed a kiss against my shoulder.
I sensed the instant he opened his eyes. Caelan stiffened and inhaled deeply.
“Want to explain?” he murmured in my ear, his voice deep and rough with sleep.
It was nice being involved with a guy who didn’t lose his shit over something like a random jungle in the bedroom after a sleepover. “I must have gotten too tired and didn’t burn off enough magic yesterday.”
I felt his grin against my skin. “I can help you burn off some excess energy.”
His hand started seeking lower. I sucked in a gasp and pressed against him.
“Do jungles turn you on?”
He chuckled. “Only women who can make them.”
I turned over and crawled on top of the Shifter Lord. “Hmm. I’m a little partial to wolves, too.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Oh? All wolves?”
I tapped my finger to my chin in mock thought.
Caelan growled and yanked me down, catching my lips in a bruising, claiming kiss.
Seconds later, there were no more words.
The automaton was finished,carefully placed in the walk-in fridge to await the anniversary dinner. We sat around my worktable, a mound of fresh flowers in the middle, making table centerpieces, smaller and more elegant than the ones we’d done for Caelan’s get-togethers.
The walk-in traffic had been a little slow today, allowing us to catch up on orders. Rain pounded the pavement outside, only the bravest of tourists out and about. Tess seemed normal, and Ash wouldn’t meet my gaze which told me he hadn’t broken the news to Tess yet. Moira kept glancing at me and him, then at Tess, a small frown marring the perfection of her pale brow.
I hadn’t said anything about what was going on. Getting involved in my employees’ business was a fast way to lose said employee, so I interfered when I needed to (which was extremely rare) and gave advice the rest of the time. Whatever was going on between them had to be settled by them, not me or Moira.
