Chapter Six

Itucked my arm around her tiny frame, pulling her tighter against me. After she'd finished eating, we'd spent the next hour getting to know each other.

I'd always thought I was closed off, but Lilou had built walls around herself that were more impenetrable than Fort Knox. Still, she had softened, letting me see flashes of the hurt and pain she kept locked away.

When her eyes had begun to droop and she was yawning every other sentence, I'd helped her get into the bed. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I'd laid down on top of the blankets. Lilou had lifted the blankets for me to get under them with a sarcastic comment about making sure to keep my womb-broom in my boxers.

Despite all the space in the bed, my gorgeous kidnapper had scooted against me the moment I'd laid down. There was no denying I was attracted to her gentle nature, her odd sense of humor, and—of course—her sexy body.

I shifted my hips back, not wanting to alarm Lilou with the evidence of exactly how attractive I found her. This was not the time for me to give into lust.

It was more than that, though. The familiar scent from the bathroom had grown stronger until it seemed to be everywhere—the room, the bed, the sheets, her hair, my clothes, my lungs. I could even taste it on my tongue.

I recognized the scent as one I'd thought was impossible to experience ever again.

The scent of my mate.

And it was coming from Lilou.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting her alluring scent caress my heart and mind.

Mine.

She wasn't a wolf, so how could this be happening?

My wolf whined as another scent touched my senses, this one so faint that it could almost be missed. It was the scent of sickness, and it caused my heart to ache with worry for the woman who'd created so much chaos in my life.

She wasn't well, but I couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong, and she'd withdrawn each time I'd tried to get answers. I wanted to help her, but how could I if she kept hiding the truth from me?

Lilou rolled over, mumbling something in her sleep. I smiled, remaining still as she cuddled against my bare chest.

Light flashed through the stubborn hotel curtains that refused to close all the way, followed by the loud crunch of gravel. A moment later, a car door opened and closed, letting me know we might have neighbors for the night. I hoped they were the quiet kind… and that their bed didn't squeak.

When Lilou had gone to the bathroom, I'd sent Oliver, my second in command, a message saying I was on a last-minute trip. I'd let him know I hadn't made my meeting and that I needed a favor—for him to take care of the pack until I made it home.

Oliver had texted back almost immediately, letting me know he had it covered, but I owed him. Even through text, I knew he was unhappy. He hated being in charge—a trait he'd had since childhood. But he was a dedicated beta and would take care of the pack, for which I was grateful.

My eyes drifted closed, but Lilou started mumbling again. This time, her noises gave way to actual words.

"The whole cake. I'll eat all of it."

I grinned, burying my face in her wild purple hair. She was irresistible, and the urge to explore her body with my hands and mouth nearly overwhelmed me. But I wasn't about to give in to my intrusive thoughts.

"And then we'll give the yeti a bath," she whispered. "We'll need blow dryers."

I chuckled, trying to stifle the sound so I didn't wake her.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I felt her rouse. She scooted away from me and left the bed. Thinking she was going to the bathroom, I bolted upright when I heard the door to the motel room open and close. Where was she going?

Leaping out of bed, I hurried to the door and yanked it open. Lilou looked up at me with wide eyes, her hand poised to knock.

"What on earth are you doing, woman?" I asked, running a hand through my hair.

Lilou bit her bottom lip and her eyes skated away from me. "Well, I thought I was going to the bathroom. Instead, I went out the wrong door and it locked behind me."

"Come back in." I want to laugh so badly, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

Guiding her inside, I locked the door behind us and watched her make her way toward the bathroom. The girl was a menace, but I found it was one more thing I was beginning to love about her.

"It's a good thing you aren't a heavy sleeper," she mumbled, her voice husky with sleep.

The bathroom door closed behind her, and I settled under the blanket again, throwing an arm over my eyes.

Water splashed in the sink as she washed her hands, then she returned to the bed, sliding between the covers and curling into me.

"You talk in your sleep," I whispered, trying to ignore the way my heart melted and my wolf's tail wagged as she snuggled against me.

"No, I don't," she protested, a smile in her voice.

"Do too." I brushed my fingers down her side, tickling her. "You talked about needing blow dryers because you were giving a yeti a bath. I need to know all about that."

She shook against me, holding back a laugh, but when she spoke, her tone was serious. "It's logical. Have you seen how hairy they are? And imagine how fluffy they'd be if someone took the time to blow dry them?"

Before I could respond, there was a soft click and the glow of the alarm clock and the beam of light sneaking through the curtains from the streetlamp disappeared.

"I think the power's out," I said, stating the obvious.

"When you get top-notch places like this, you have to be prepared for anything. This isn't nearly as bad as the rabbit invasion at the last place." She paused. "Wait, maybe I dreamed that."

I sure hoped so.

"Go to sleep," I mumbled, rolling toward her.

Holding her close, I relished the warmth that spread through me and drifted off to sleep. For the first time in years, I was excited to see what tomorrow would bring.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I held my love, my soulmate, in my arms, watching the life leave her eyes. Eyes that shifted between gray and purple.

I jerked upright, shoving the blankets off me.

Blinking hard, I tried to remember where I was. A motel? Yes, with Lilou.

The bed shifted, and she crawled into my lap, wrapping her arms around me. Her comforting warmth seeped into my bones while her honey and sunshine scent filled my lungs.

"Beckett, it was just a bad dream," she whispered. "You're safe."

It was more than that. I'd not had a dream about the night I'd lost my mate in five years. Thinking of that night still caused me pain, but it had become a dull ache.

But this dream was different, and the pain I was experiencing was sharper than an executioner's sword. Because the mate I'd been holding in the dream was Lilou.

Mine.

Swallowing hard, I buried my hand in her hair and pressed her tight against my chest. A sense of peace calmed my troubled mind, and my breathing began to slow. But it wasn't enough. I wanted more. I wanted her.

I pulled back, and Lilou looked up, her eyes soft and her lips slightly parted. Leaning in, I moved to kiss her, longing to feel her lips on mine. I was desperate for the reassurance she was here and I hadn't lost her.

Lilou's eyes widened, and she turned her head away.

My terror from the dream shifted immediately into shame.

"I shouldn't have done that. I apologize." Lifting her from my lap, I sat her on the bed beside me, hoping she wouldn't hate me for my poor judgment.

I wanted to tell her what she meant to me, and how much her touch calmed me. That my desire to kiss her wasn't motivated by lust, but rather for comfort. Instead, I said nothing, not wanting her to feel any type of pressure from me.

"No apology needed," she whispered and patted my hand.

"I'll just show myself out," I quipped, hoping humor would dispel any awkwardness filling the space between us.

Her eyes narrowed and I couldn't hold back a chuckle.

"Don't make me cuff you again, mister. I'll do it." She wagged a finger in my direction, then headed toward the bathroom.

"I'd like to use the cuffs on you," I murmured under my breath.

There was no denying I wanted her, but I wasn't about to step out of line again. A cold shower would help to resolve my current predicament, but it was probably out of the question.

She hesitated in the doorway, then turned back toward me. "Um… can I ask for an awkward favor, please?"

"Sure." Awkward was becoming a specialty for me. Besides, I owed her for the failed kiss.

"Can you come in here with me?"

My jaw dropped. "In… the bathroom?"

She nodded. "I never got to finish my shower last night and I'm nervous about showering alone after what happened." An unreadable expression crossed her face, leaving a pink tinge on her pale cheeks. "You probably want to clean up too. We could shower together."

I paused, unsure. If I got in the shower with her, things might get a lot less PG than what she was ready for. "Are you sure that's a good idea? In case you didn't know, I'm attracted to you?—"

"It's not like I've never seen a dick before. I work with them most days." She laughed, but I wondered if she meant she literally worked with penises, or if her coworkers were just jerks.

It was smarter to say no, but the memory of what happened during her last shower flashed through my mind and I knew I couldn't. If she got hurt because I was being an honorable prude, I'd never forgive myself. And if I was being honest, the temptation to be near her was hard to resist.

"Okay." I stood, following her into the bathroom.

She lifted my shirt over her head and bent slightly to turn on the water. I looked at the walls and ceiling, trying my best to avoid looking at her naked form. Needing something to do with my hands to keep from grabbing her, I slipped off my boxers, folded them and placed them on the counter by the sink.

Lilou stepped into the shower. Steam billowed over the top of the curtain, still slightly askew from my attempt to fix it last night. Taking a deep breath, I joined her.

Water streamed down her body as she closed her eyes and tilted her head back into the water. It took every ounce of self-control I possessed to keep my gaze on her face, but I managed, my body tense and ready to catch her if she fell.

Without warning, she turned around, her soft backside brushing against an overly sensitive and very rigid part of my anatomy. I sucked in a harsh breath, and for a moment, I worried I might pass out from the sheer pain and pleasure her accidental touch caused.

Lilou shot me a wicked grin over her shoulder, her eyes widening slightly as they trailed down my body.

"I warned you," I said defensively, lifting my shoulders in a shrug.

She didn't say a word, but lifted her face to the water, letting it stream down her face before swiping her hands over her eyes. Steam swirled around us, filling the room.

"Maybe the reason you passed out is because of how hot the water is?" I teased as pink streaks appeared on her shoulders.

"Not likely. I always take hot showers, and I've never passed out in one before." She reached up, adjusting the showerhead so it was aimed at me.

Lilou wrapped her fingers around her wet hair and gently slid down the strands. The hot water stung my skin, but I barely noticed because my eyes were glued to the handful of hair that had come out and lay in her palm. She didn't react, and simply moved the shower curtain a bit so she could drop the wad of hair in the trash.

I was left wondering what could cause her to lose so much hair. Worry overrode my need to give her space, and I stepped closer. Our wet bodies slid against each other, and Lilou shivered.

"Put that thing away, Becks." Her words were playful, but her voice held a husky note that went straight to my cock. She turned to face me, using her arms to cover her breasts. "Or I'll roll up a newspaper and swat you with it."

I burst out laughing, pulling her into my arms. One thing was sure. Life with Lilou would never be boring.