Chapter 22

Early the next morning, I strode into the kitchen and fried up some bacon and eggs. I'd almost forgotten about my overnight visitor until I glanced at the sunflower in the vase and noticed him across the room. The sun had just pierced the rooftops across the street, its gilded rays slicing through windows like blades forged from fire.

Tak's unbraided hair draped over the armrest, a gold sheet covering the sofa beneath him. He looked like a work of art—a statue dipped in bronze with light playing off the canvas of muscle.

I scooped extra eggs onto his plate along with a thick slice of tomato and the best pieces of bacon. Tak was a large man, and I had my doubts that this was going to be enough to satisfy him. After eating the remaining piece of bacon and a few bites of scrambled egg, I shuffled across the living room to wake him up. When I circled the grey couch, I almost dropped the plate.

What I'd failed to notice from across the room was his enormous erection hiding beneath the top sheet, which covered him to the waist. And it twitched as if it knew I was standing there looking at it.

I dragged my gaze up the length of his body, admiring his handsome physique. Despite his mane, Tak didn't have a lot of body hair. Even his whiskers didn't grow half as fast as Lakota's did.

His nostrils flared when the aroma of bacon and eggs wafted around him. Tak slowly opened his eyes, moaning and stretching like a gentle giant rousing from a thousand-year slumber.

"Morning," he said, peering up, his voice deeper than usual.

I liked the sound of it much more than his daytime voice.

"Are you hungry?"

He gave me a wolfish grin and didn't answer.

"I made you eggs. I wasn't sure if you eat them with ketchup or hot sauce, so they're just plain. The bacon isn't crispy. Lakota buys the thick kind that's chewy, but Mel—"

I gasped when Tak wedged his hand between my legs. His fingers played with the fabric of my sleep shorts before traveling up to my panties. My mind whirled, and he stroked me as if he were petting a tame animal.

When I stepped back, he sat up and stripped me bare with one hot look.

"Why did you do that?" I asked on a quick exhale.

He slowly licked his lips and took the plate from my hands. "My wolf wanted to sate your hunger."

I lowered my gaze. "I'm not the one who's hungry."

Tak's eyes hooded. "That's up for debate. I can scent your arousal." He didn't bother using the fork to eat his eggs, and he licked each finger of the same hand he'd used to stroke me. "Satisfying you is my only craving, but the eggs are good."

I swallowed hard; the corner of the sheet barely covered him. "I have to take a shower and get ready. There's juice on the counter, and if you're still hungry, you can help yourself to what's in the kitchen. Just don't eat Mel's peppermints; she hides them in one of the canisters."

Tak cleaned his plate and spoke around the last mouthful of bacon. "We have to pick up your car."

I gave an exasperated sigh. It had totally slipped my mind that Tak had driven me home. "That's right. I forgot it's at the motel. Maybe I'll just take Mel's scooter."

He glanced over at the scooter parked near the front door and shook his head. "I never imagined Melody living like this."

"What do you mean?"

"She's a warrior. I didn't peg her for a woman who liked loud furniture and tiny pillows."

I collected his empty plate. "Did you think she would mount her bow on the wall next to the pelts of her victims?"

He leaned back and rested his arms on the back of the couch, his erection still in full force. "I'm not sure what I expected from a girl with purple hair and crazy pants. I didn't take her seriously when we first met. She impressed me."

"Is that the kind of woman you want? A warrior?"

He dragged his gaze down my body and back up. "Some women are warriors of the mind, some of the heart, some of the body, and others in bed."

Had Tak witnessed Mel's bravery during her stay with his tribe? Despite her eccentric appearance, Melody embodied a tenacious spirit and unflappable personality that any red-blooded alpha would be proud to have at his side. If those were qualities Tak sought in a woman, where did that leave me?

Tak reached for my free hand. "Did I offend you? Sometimes I stick my foot in my mouth without even knowing."

I tried to pull away, but he held on tightly. "I'm usually quiet in the morning. That's all."

He kissed my knuckles and stood up, the sheet falling away. "I liked having you in the next room."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Sirens woke me up. How do you sleep with all the noise outside?"

"It was hard at first, after living in the country for so long, but you get used to it. We also keep a box of earplugs, but mostly those are for me." As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt my cheeks flush. I'd once lived in a large pack with plenty of space to give two Shifters privacy during their lovemaking. But around here, I had nowhere to go at three in the morning. I could hear all kinds of curious things from all the way in the kitchen. With anyone else, I wouldn't have minded as much, but I drew the line with family.

Tak gazed at me for what seemed like hours and then collected the plate from my hand. "I'll clean the dishes while you get ready." He leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Let me know if you need any help in there."

A giggle escaped, and I stepped back. "After the condition I found you in on the motel floor yesterday, I might be safer showering alone."

He playfully slapped my ass and strode into the kitchen.

I smiled wistfully. Tak filled a room with his presence and personality. The thought of not having him around made my world emptier than it was before.