Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Leah stared at Elias’s hand for long seconds.

She had to give him credit for patience and persistence. He didn’t pull his hand back. He was filling the doorway, so it wasn’t as though she could sneak past him or duck under his arm.

It would be rude to snub him, but on the other hand, she needed to assert herself. If she didn’t, she was liable to get trampled by him.

Her heart was beating so fast as they stood there, not moving, waiting each other out. She had to pee, though, probably because he’d fed her a bottle. Holy moly. How had she slept through that?

“Take my hand, Little one.”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about him calling her Little one , but it wasn’t as though she could argue the fact. She was incredibly small next to him. That made it feel even stranger that he intended to baby her.

She glanced toward the obvious changing table and shuddered. There were stacks of diapers on the shelf beneath it. He had acted like he would grant her permission to use an actual bathroom. Would he change his mind and put a diaper on her if she acted bratty?

Touching him would increase her awareness of…everything. She couldn’t avoid it forever, though, and the magnetic pull was strong, so she finally set her hand in his.

His hand was twice the size of hers. It made her feel delicate and…girly. Gross. She hated feeling girly.

“Come.” He turned and headed into the hallway, keeping his grip on her hand.

She followed, glancing around. To her left was an inviting great room, though she could only see a fraction of it because they headed across the hallway and into what she had to assume was the master bedroom.

His furniture was huge. So was his body. No way could he sleep on an ordinary bed. He would need something longer, wider, and higher.

She barely took in the mahogany furniture, richly painted maroon walls, and plush maroon rugs before he led her into the bathroom.

Leah gasped. It was the biggest bathroom she’d ever seen. There was a walk-in shower and a tub—both of which would easily fit two grown people.

Elias stopped in the middle of the room and rounded behind her. He set his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward the dual sinks. “The one on the left is lower. That will be your vanity. The drawers and cabinets are filled with things… Well, I can’t take credit for anything in those drawers. My brother’s mate picked out most of it.”

His tone was odd as though he were apologizing. It confused her.

He lifted a hand and pointed toward a separate room with a toilet. “Go potty. I’ll wait out here.”

Leah shuddered as she rushed into the small enclosure. She felt nervous about the idea of him waiting right outside the room, but at least it had a door, and it was certainly better than the fear she’d had that he might insist on diapering her.

She had a million questions about what he expected from her, but first she needed to pee before she wet herself.

After gathering her dress and the layers of shifts underneath, she quickly used the toilet, wiped, and flushed. When she stepped back out into the main bathroom, Elias was next to the sink he’d just told her would be hers. He had two drawers open, and he was leaning over them, examining the contents.

He glanced at her and shut the drawers. His face was heated, the pink tinge making her think he was embarrassed.

She hurried to take up the spot when he moved to one side so she could wash her hands.

Elias crowded her the entire time, leaning a hip against the counter, standing inches from her. He crossed his arms. “I have a confession to make.”

She dried her hands on the towel and turned toward him, surprised. “What’s that?”

His brows were drawn together. He was nervous. Worried. Hesitant. Finally he licked his sexy lips. “I didn’t believe our connection would be as powerful as it is. I thought this entire practice of collecting a mate from the valley was barbaric and absurd. I’ve been a total dick about it for weeks, not doing the things I was expected to do to prepare for your arrival. I did not stock these drawers or anything in your nursery. I let my family and friends do it for me because I was in denial.”

She couldn’t believe his words. She hadn’t expected him to feel the same hesitation she’d felt. If he could be brave enough to reveal that to her, she could be brave enough to admit the same.

She drew in a deep breath. “If this is confession time, then I should tell you I didn’t believe it either.” Leah cringed. “I didn’t want to go through with it at all. I’m glad you referred to the entire thing as barbaric because I’ve said that for years. If I could have gotten away with not showing up this morning, I would have.”

He gave her a slow smile. “Yeah?”

This conversation was strange and oddly bonding. She glanced down at her dress. “I didn’t even try this dress on until two nights ago.”

“It’s beautiful. Do you not like it?”

“I don’t like what it represents. I feel like a sacrificial virgin with no choice but to jump into a fiery volcano in order to preserve my family name.”

He laughed, hard. “I like that. I like your spunk, too. I guess you’re not a meek woman who lets people walk all over you.”

She shook her head. “Never. I mean…” Perhaps she should tone it down a bit. She was being disrespectful.

He uncrossed his arms and held out a hand again. “Come. Let’s go sit outside on the deck. We can talk. Get to know each other, Little firecracker.”

She stared at his hand yet again, concerned about the effects of touching him. When she lifted her gaze, she found one of his brows lifted. She cleared her throat. “Stuff happens when I touch you.”

He chuckled again. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes made him look kind and…trustworthy. He dropped his hand, surprising her. “You’re right, but for the record, stuff is happening between us even without us touching. It’s so powerful it’s bringing me to my knees. I can’t decide if I’m furious with Fate for controlling my emotions and physical reactions or if I should thank Her for the amazing life I know I’m going to have now that you’re in it.”

His words were so authentic and truthful that Leah felt bad for all the time she’d spent grumbling about meeting this man. Granted, in her logical mind, she’d known all her doubts would evaporate when she met him, but it was still shocking. She licked her lips. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“Will you come outside with me? The weather is nice, and…”

She giggled, surprising herself as she covered her mouth. “I bet I can finish that sentence.”

He grinned as he lifted that sexy brow again. “We’re already finishing each other’s sentences?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know about any other sentence, but you were thinking we might be able to breathe better if we stepped outside. Our combined scent in this bathroom and even the house is making it difficult to think rational thoughts.”

His grin grew. “Exactly. Follow me, Little firecracker.” He turned and left the bathroom.

She smiled as she followed him. The nickname he’d given her was pretty accurate, so she decided to embrace it. She also decided not to glance across the hallway into the weird nursery he’d made for her.

He had just admitted he’d done none of the work. He also hadn’t selected any of the items in the room. What did that mean? Was it true that every Alpha Protector had a nursery for his mate?

Leah couldn’t wrap her head around that concept yet, so she decided to put it out of her mind. There were a million other things to discuss, and she was grateful her giant mate wasn’t pouncing on her.

He could have torn off her clothes and forced himself into her body by now. But he hadn’t, and for that, she was relieved. How long would he keep his hands to himself?

More importantly, how long would she be able to keep her hands off him ? The desire to touch him was overwhelming. Hopefully the fresh air would help cool her urges. She wasn’t ready for what would happen if she let him put his hands on her.