Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

I was still thinking about my conversation with Vena when I woke up the next morning. Having her admit Anchor was the one made me feel a little untethered. Life was about to change. Not only for her but for me as well.

For so long, I had taken comfort in knowing things would stay the same, at least until we graduated. That wasn’t the case any longer.

But this was good. She found her other half, and it wasn’t like I was losing her. It meant I had one more person to help keep tabs on her so she’d stay out of trouble.

“You’re thinking too hard so early in the morning,” a low voice murmured next to me.

I turned in bed and saw two beautiful light brown eyes tinted with amber staring back at me.

“Morning,” Cross said. He tucked his arm under my head and pulled me against him to kiss my forehead. “What’s got you frowning already?”

“Nothing bad,” I said as I snuggled in, needing the comfort. “I’m just bracing myself for some life changes that might come sooner rather than later.”

“I well understand life changes.”

“I suppose after hundreds of years, you’re a pro at it.”

“Not necessarily. I wasn’t prepared for the change in my life after a certain someone fell into a cave and bled on me. I never expected to fall for her or start a business with her either, especially after she dressed me in a brown corduroy leisure suit. And I especially never thought I would work closely with wolves for a common goal.”

I leaned away to look at him. “It was Vena who dressed you in that suit.”

He grinned. “My point is: Being open to possibilities makes changes less daunting.”

“So much wisdom for eight in the morning. What are you doing here?”

He brushed a lock of hair from the side of my face. “Seeing what your plans are for the day.”

“You could have texted me.”

“Then I couldn’t wake up with you and do this.” He leaned in to kiss my lips, but I quickly stuck my hand between us.

“I need to brush my teeth.”

I slipped out of his arms and stood with a stretch. His gaze swung to the bit of stomach the move had revealed, and I quickly dropped my arms to my sides.

“Let me get ready. We can talk over coffee.” I grabbed clothes and fled to the bathroom.

Cross had asked me what my plans were for the day. This was the perfect time to tell him about my date with Shepard and ask some real questions, especially after Vena sent him the video of me clinging to Shepard.

While I dressed, I played the conversation in my head. Once I was ready, I returned to my room to find Cross leisurely sitting on my bed with his phone in his hand.

The t-shirt and jeans he wore sinfully hugged his body. My pulse jumped a little as my gaze took him in, and I forgot what I wanted to say.

Vena was right; Cross dirtied up nicely.

Cross glanced up at me with a look of pure lust that matched my own.

His eyes flashed black as he stood.

“You tempt me when you look at me like that, Everly.”

“Sorry.” My gaze slipped away from him only to return.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said, stroking his fingers over my cheek.

“I think I’m in over my head. A part of me still wonders if you like me as a person or if you like me because of who I am to you.”

“Who are you to me?” he asked.

“Your buffer with the werewolves and maybe even the humans. The person who woke you who also happened to taste good too.”

His hands framed my face, and his lips covered mine in a tender, heart-melting kiss that slowly grew more hungry with each stroke of his tongue. I was panting by the time he pulled back to study my dazed expression.

“I am grateful for your understanding of what I am and for your help to make peace with the wolves, but you are not a buffer to me, Everly. You are what I’ve dreamt of for centuries. You are my hope. I crave your presence in my life more than I crave a taste of your blood. The beat of your heart whispers promises of a happier tomorrow. Do you understand? My affection for you is genuine.”

I nodded, still a little dazed from the kiss. That was the only explanation for my gaze dipping back to his mouth.

He chuckled and kissed my forehead again.

“Do you still believe you are in over your head?”

“Absolutely,” I breathed. “Vena told me that she sent you a picture of me kissing Shepard yesterday. And now you kiss me today? I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with that. I don’t want to be caught in the middle between you and Shepard. Your position in D.C. is rocky at best. You can’t afford to upset?—”

He cut me off with a demanding kiss that had me grabbing his shoulders and holding on for dear life. Especially when his mouth left mine, and he started trailing kisses along my jaw and down my neck, which I blatantly arched to give him better access. I obviously had no sense of self-preservation. Yet, I couldn’t and didn’t want to stop.

“You are temptation itself. The trust you give me is…” His teeth scraped my skin, and I shivered before rubbing my hips against his. He had me against the wall with my legs around his waist before I could register.

“Everly.” My name was an animalistic growl before he kissed me with a ferocity that tore me from reality and placed me in a world where only Cross existed. Cross and his mouth and the way he arched into me.

A whimper escaped my throat when I suddenly found myself standing alone against the wall. Disoriented, I looked around the room and saw Cross in front of my window, staring out.

“Your chaperone warned me that we would be interrupted if I continued,” he said.

It took a few breaths for lucidity to return enough to understand who he meant.

“Ah.” I cleared my throat. “A spoken warning is better than yesterday’s spray bottle.”

He glanced at me, his eyes completely black with a web of tiny black veins prominent in the pale skin around them.

“A spray bottle?”

I nodded before I realized what I’d given away—that I’d been so lost in Shepard’s kiss that I’d needed to be sprayed like a cat in heat.

“Do you understand why I’m in over my head?” I asked softly.

The black faded from his face as he nodded. “I understand why you think you’re in over your head, but I want you to know that I’m not asking you to choose between me and Shepard. Whatever time or affection you are willing to give me, I will gladly accept without any resentment. You have my word.

“Now, what are your plans for today?”

I hesitated before saying, “I’m going on a lunch date with Shepard.”

“Make sure he takes you somewhere with delicious desserts. Preferably, outrageously expensive, too,” he said with a hint of a smile. “He’s been neglecting you of late with all the vampire hunting.”

“Understandably, though,” I said.

Cross nodded. “Perhaps you would have time another day for me then? I would like to take you out as well.”

Remembering Vena’s comment about keeping it equal, I agreed.

He crossed the room, kissed my forehead, and opened the bedroom door.

“Text me when you’re available,” he said. “I’ll see myself out.”

I watched him leave, rubbed my hand over my face, then tried a few calming breaths before going out to check on Vena.

Her door was open, and her room was empty. When I checked the living room, I was expecting to see her all-knowing smirk. Instead, I saw the back of Doc’s head.

“Good morning,” I said, trying not to feel embarrassment or panic.

He turned slightly and flashed a welcoming smile. “Good morning. Vena asked me to tell you that she left with Anchor but will be back in time for her shift.”

“Oh. Okay.”

It was good that she was with Anchor. It meant she’d spoken to him about her odd behavior last night.

I checked her location on my phone and saw she was in the countryside. Likely another hunt. I wasn’t sure if I should feel relieved she’d gone out with Anchor or embarrassed since that meant Doc had been the one to warn Cross.

Rather than thinking about either, I headed for the kitchen.

Since I’d forgotten to take home a few of Blur’s appetizers the night before, I decided to use my creative energy on a creature-themed menu for the new business. The fairy trash was an easy yes. Opening my notebook, I looked at the possibilities I had jotted down. However, without input from Miles, I was a little unsure of what direction to go.

Thinking of Miles in lockdown sparked an idea for Blur, though. The dwarven regulars might need cheering up after their return from the mountain.

From what I knew, dwarves loved savory dishes like the lamb skewers with the herb dipping sauce. But they also loved Blur’s signature drink, Effervescence, which had a fizzy, foamy texture.

If I took those two as inspiration, I might be able to come up with a subtly sweet lemon cheesecake that would satisfy their taste buds.

As I gathered the ingredients, I also took out a few others to make breakfast for Doc. It was a perfect time to get insight into a wolf’s preference.

“Doc?” I called.

He stood by the counter in an instant.

“I’m making breakfast. Is french toast and bacon okay?”

“Of course. Thank you. Even regular toast is okay.” He eyed the many ingredients on the counter with an arched brow. “How much are you cooking?”

“Test baking,” I said as I pulled out a pan. “Are there specific foods wolves really like?”

He folded his arms and leaned his hip against the counter.

“We tend to eat more meat than humans,” he said, echoing what Cross had said.

“But is there a food or traditional recipe that wolves would go out of their way to get? Or something that would be a treat that’s only made on holidays? I’m trying to come up with recipes that would entice otherworlders into my bakery.”

“The only taste we crave is that of our mate,” he said. “But we eat everything humans do. What people don’t always understand is how good our sense of smell is. We can determine who made the food. Many of us enjoy food more if it’s made by a woman. Does that help?”

“A lot, actually. Thank you.”

He smiled and was about to say something when his phone rang. He excused himself and moved to the other room to answer. I wasn’t trying to listen while I made breakfast and a fresh pot of coffee, but I heard enough to know it was otherworlder business.

When Doc finally returned to the kitchen, I had plated the french toast and bacon and handed it over to him along with a cup of fresh coffee.

“Was that call about the dwarves?” I asked him, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Doc shoved a forkful of toast into his mouth and groaned. “So good.” He finished chewing and answered me. “Yes. We’re trying to stay in the loop as much as possible, especially since it has to do with the dwarf monarchy.”

“Is there a problem?”

“Not necessarily.”

I waited for more, and he chuckled. “I think I see why you and Vena get along so well. You’re just as curious as she is. It’s not my place to share otherworlder information, though. Be sure to ask Shepard about it when he picks you up later. I’m sure he’ll tell you everything.”

Doc’s phone buzzed, and he set his fork aside to begin texting.

It didn’t matter, though. He’d already distracted me from otherworlder drama with the mention of my date with Shepard. A flurry of butterflies zipped around my stomach as I turned around and tried to focus on baking.

It did the trick, and when I removed everything from the oven a few hours later and glanced at the time, I realized Shepard would be there soon.

Rushing out of the kitchen, I flung open my closet and grabbed a pretty top, a cute skirt, and a matching panty and bra set that would make Vena proud. I closed myself in the bathroom to get ready.

By the time I finished a light application of makeup, I heard Shepard talking in a low tone that seemed to cut through walls, doors, and straight into my ovaries.

What was I doing? Get your head straight, I scolded myself.

I smoothed my hands over my sleeveless top and left my room. Vena would have approved of the amount of leg I was showing—and likely some under-cheek if I bent over. Not that I planned to bend over today.

My face flushed at the thought.

The conversation stopped, and Shepard’s gaze found me as soon as I entered the room. I watched him inhale deeply and caught the glint of gold in his eyes as he smiled.

“You look amazing, Everly.”

“Thank you. Was I interrupting?”

“No. Not at all. Are you ready?”

He held his hand out to me, and like a fairy drawn to silver, I moved forward until his warm fingers were curled around mine.

It wasn’t until I was in Shepard’s passenger seat that I realized I’d left Doc in our house.

“Oh, Doc?”

“Don’t worry about him,” Shepard said, leaning across the seat to grab my seatbelt.

The move put his neck close to my mouth. I wasn’t a biter, but the thought of just a nibble tempted the hell out of me. So much so that my exhale escaped in a shaky whoosh.

A low rumble filled the interior.

“Everly, is there any chance I could steal a quick kiss?” he asked without moving.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I managed even as my libido screamed, “Please!”