Page 26 of Oracle
Swinging my eyes to my amber-eyed mate, I drank in his golden appearance as he sprawled languidly on the blanket. He was stretched out enough to show a glimpse of his lower abdominal muscles, and I wanted to lick them as I followed the path to his cock.
A faint pink blush crept up to his cheeks as he timidly smiled and tried to brush off how much this meant. “Oh, this was nothing. I’m glad we could have some quality time with you before things get crazy again.”
“This isn’t nothing,” I countered, but knew deep down that he probably just wasn’t used to being the center of attention for anything serious. So, I left it at that and switched the topic of conversation. “So, what are we going to do tonight then? I want to get to know you both better.”
Cocky Caleb returned as he waggled his eyebrows at me and suggested, “How about we play twenty questions but make it a drinking game? We’ll take turns asking each other questions, but before the person answers, the other two have to guess what they will say. If you’re wrong, you have to drink.”
It was the perfect way to have some fun and get to know each other. “I’m in!”
Luca groaned and flopped onto his back, running a hand over his face gruffly. “Tonight is going to result in a hangover tomorrow, but I’m in as well.”
Caleb whooped his excitement and moved to fill our glasses back to the brim, then asked the first question, “All right, favorite color, Kira?”
I think it’s going to result in a lot more than a hangover if you know what I mean.
Lux, you’re insatiable, but in this instance, I hope you’re right.
“I bet you’re a red type of gal,” Caleb guessed. “You’re so fiery, it’s only fitting.”
A scoff came from Luca as he presented the opposite evaluation. “No way, dude. She’s the calming piece of our pack and the light for us all to follow. Definitely blue.”
I let them stew in their anticipation for a minute as they looked at me expectantly. Sipping my wine, I smiled over the rim at them before giving in, “Blue.”
“No way!” Caleb dramatically groaned and looked at me with puppy dog eyes. “Are you trying to get me drunk on purpose, beauty? I promise you don’t have to in order to take advantage of me.”
My statement stands.
CHAPTERELEVEN
LUCA
It was clear that Kira’s tolerance for alcohol was nowhere near ours. As shifters, our bodies naturally had fast metabolisms, making it easier to burn through the effects of alcohol, but too much at one time for someone who never drank, apparently, still spelled disaster.
“Aha!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide and her smirk set in victory. “That’s easy! Luca’s favorite animal is a bear.”
That was definitely not correct.
Caleb cocked his head in a mixture of amusement and confusion. “Oh really? Enlighten us, oh powerful prophetess, as to why that is.”
Pushing to her feet, she cleared her throat and placed her hands on her hips. Confidence and finality radiated through her as she said, “Because he’s cuddly with the people he loves and then a vicious beast with his enemies.”
Why was she so adorable right now?
A strangled snort came from Caleb at her logic. I wasn’t far off from having the same reaction, if I was being honest.
Cuddly was the last word I would use to describe myself, however, holding Kira in my arms earlier could convert me. It was like all the pieces clicked into place in that moment as I held her. I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I would have rather been and could have happily stayed like that for much longer.
Who would have thought something as juvenile as a hug could just make everything in your mind fall away during it? It was like nothing else mattered besides the precious woman in my arms.
She stared at me, waiting for me to confirm that she was correct about my favorite animal. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I was a simple man and my favorite animal was a house cat. They were lazy, loving, simple creatures. Feed and love them, and everything in their life was perfect. I was slightly envious of such a simple life.
Raising my hand, I rubbed the back of my head as I grimaced at Caleb who was shooting death glares at me. He knew damn well a fucking bear couldn’t have been my favorite animal, but I couldn’t crush her with the truth.
I’d never crush that light in her eyes.
Holding my glass up in a salute to Caleb, I looked at my tipsy little mate and told the smallest white lie in order to keep that triumphant shine in her gaze. They’d looked too haunted recently, and I’d do anything to chase those shadows away. “You got it, precious. It’s a bear.”
“Ha! I knew it,” she exclaimed and fist-pumped the air in victory.
