Chapter Thirteen

As the sun set, the breeze cooled and woke us from our nap. We managed to disentangle ourselves from one another and get out of the swaying hammock without landing on anything but our feet, which I called a win, and also resulted in much laughter.

"Hungry, omega?" Bjorn asked, unhooking the end of the hammock and replacing it as we'd found it.

"Yes." I grinned at him. "For real this time."

"Then let's go get ready for dinner. I wonder what Franklin has for us." We strolled into the kitchen to find no sign of our host, only another note telling us dinner was in the oven and refrigerator, and that if we wanted to shift afterward, there would be a full moon to light our way. "Hmm." Bjorn peeked into the oven and inhaled. "Lasagna with garlic bread. One of my favorites."

"Mine, too." I peeked in the fridge. "Also, a tossed salad."

"I'd like to freshen up first," he said.

"Same." I felt a little sweaty after our nap, so we climbed the stairs and parted at the top. I stripped down again to get in the shower which reminded me of our swimming lessons earlier. Having Bjorn support me with strong hands in waist-deep water was one of the most sensual experiences of my life.

The waterfall's pond was cold, but Bjorn's skin was anything but. As he held an arm under my belly, encouraging me to move my arms and legs, his body heat burned into me, making it hard to concentrate on his instructions.

"Just relax, omega, and trust me."

"I'm trying." Not so much to trust him as myself. "Maybe I'm just not destined to swim."

He'd been so patient, guiding me around the pond that actually wasn't all that deep. Only in the very center was it over our heads, and we didn't go there until the very end when he had me paddling around him as if I'd always been able to do this.

"That's it. Move your arms. Now, kick your feet. Great job!"

Bjorn was endlessly patient while teaching me to swim. He told me while we sat on the bank eating the excellent picnic Franklin sent with us that he believed it wasn't actually teaching me but helping me access what I already knew how to do. If my wolf could swim, so could I. I wasn't so sure about that, but I didn't have a better explanation for how quickly he was able to teach me.

After a quick rinse in the shower, thinking about our afternoon, I hurried to dress and return downstairs for dinner. The scents of the food tickled my nose as I entered the dining room where Bjorn waited. He'd gotten the food out and set it on the table for us.

"Omega, I missed you." He held out my chair for me then sat in the one right next to mine. "Feeling refreshed?"

"I missed you, too, but how can that be when we have only known one another for a day?" I marveled.

"It's how it should be," he said, scooping lasagna onto my plate. "Garlic bread?"

"Thank you." We ate everything Franklin had left for us: cheesy, tomatoey pasta; the buttery garlic bread, and the crisp salad with Italian vinaigrette. A bottle of red wine had been the perfect accompaniment.

When we sat back, filled with delicious food and wonderful conversation, I sighed. "I was going to ask if there was any dessert, but I don't think I could even eat it."

"I spotted a pan of tiramisu when I got out the salad," Bjorn said. "And I was looking forward to it, but I couldn't manage a bite. I don't think either. On the other hand, a good run through the forest should help make some room. Are you up for it?"

"My wolf is already begging to get out."