11. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Remmus knew the instant that Ava's fear surfaced. While he'd immediately regretted putting her in that position, the result of her fright had been smeared over his lips, and he couldn't fault her.

He forced a laugh. "Delicious."

Dragging his fingers through the frosting currently decorating his mouth, Remmus caught her eye. For all the fear that'd overtaken her, Ava had recovered quickly, and was having a hearty chuckle at his expense.

"You look ridiculous."

This time, the smile was genuine. "Never. I'm a trendsetter, Blondie. Just wait, you'll be wearing it next."

"Oh?" Ava's mocking voice made desire kick harder in his veins. "Is that a threat?"

In answer to her own question, she closed the distance between them and grabbed a napkin. Gently, she dabbed at his smirking mouth, her attention once more captured by his lips.

She hid her want beneath cleaning his face of frosting, all while cleverly avoiding his gaze.

Chucking the paper towel in a trashcan, she brought up her thumb to the corner of his lips. Slowly, she brushed it across the sensitized skin, her eyes tracking its movement across his flesh. A shock of electricity flowed in its wake, and when she finally caught his gaze, it was hooded with lust.

The quiver of her lips was his breaking point.

Carefully, telegraphing her intentions, Ava claimed his mouth in the most tender kiss. While it rivaled the sweetness of the frosting, nothing could come close to the feel of her mouth on his. She moved slowly, savoring each delicate brush of their lips. He held completely and utterly still, scared he'd spook her.

Everything about this felt right and wholesome, unparalleled by any kiss he'd experienced before. When he returned her tentative kiss in kind, he wanted to melt into her, cradle this woman in his arms and feel the softness of her body against his.

Regardless of his intentions to be sweet and soft, the other side of his nature yearned for passion, demanding lust while he devoured her mouth.

Instead, Remmus pulled back from her, fearful she'd regret even this much.

For a moment, she swayed forward as if to recapture the moment, then halted mid-movement. Blinking up at him, her wide, guileless eyes searched his face.

"If you think this will earn you more cupcakes, you've never been more wrong."

Relief flooded him. Breaking their connection by glancing toward the baked goods, Remmus hummed a sound of amusement. "I think I can steal a few without you even noticing."

"Oh, can you?"

Teleportation was a handy skill. When the cupcake appeared in his palm beside his smug grin, Ava growled at him. The she-wolf plucked it from his hand and threw him a withering look.

"You've already ruined one of my cupcakes, Remmus; two is getting greedy."

Mock confusion crossed his features. "Do my ears deceive me? I believe you said I ruined one of your cupcakes. Quite to the contrary: I'm fairly certain that was all you."

"And you didn't even say thank you," Ava jeered. "You're welcome."

If she saw the momentary flash of panic in his eyes that followed her condemnation, Remmus didn't catch it. But he covered it with a wicked smile, showing all his teeth.

"One of my many faults."

"Well, no thanks to my current company, I've finally finished the cream pie." She turned to Remmus. "Now, be a good lad and help me walk them out to the Great Hall."

Saluting her, Remmus played the faithful servant and took an armful at her beck and call. Then, he paused and set a few cupcakes down on the counter. He winked at her.

"We've gotta save a few for Gwennie. We promised."

Ava's frown softened into approval before they headed out the door. Trailing in her wake, more than a few hungry wolves began circling before she'd even set them down and called them free game.

A blood bath for cupcakes ensued. There were casualties.

Remmus, already enamored with Ava's baking, stole another cupcake for himself, and nabbed a piece of cream pie. It wasn't long before the pack's alpha joined the melee, and then stood back with Remmus to watch the wolves bound outside to burn off their gluttony.

The alpha wolf beside him gave him a scrutinizing stare. "Thanks for saving my beta. Heard she gave you a hard time."

"Well, on the plus side, I've secured her wolf's dental impression." Shoving the last of his pie into his mouth, Remmus chuckled. "Just in case you ever need it."

"Hazard of the job, I suppose," Riaz mused. "In any case, I owe you. Twice now, if we're counting."

"Well, I wasn't going to say anything," his solemn voice made Riaz look over, "but I could really use some more of those cupcakes. Perhaps I'll twist Ava's arm for a dozen more."

Something changed in the alpha's face, and it was made more intense by the unblinking stare that followed. Inhaling, Riaz straightened.

"If you think I don't smell you all over her, you're wrong," he warned. "Don't hurt her, Raeth."

"A warning?"

"Call it what you will, but know I protect my own."

Remmus didn't make light of the warning in the alpha's voice, or the threat behind his words. While he claimed eight centuries to Riaz's five, alpha wolves were pack leaders for a reason. Territorial, predatorial, and possessive, the alpha wasn't someone to ignore.

"Noted."

Taking a calculating breath, Riaz's shoulders lowered an inch, and he returned his attention to the scene before them. "Cortana mentioned you recoded our HVAC system already."

"I did. Had a few spare hours earlier today."

"Appreciate that," Riaz glanced at him. "What'd you find out about the Raeth in St. Louis? Ava said you were able to check his psychic signature. Any ideas on what extracurricular gifts he has?"

Remmus' mouth thinned before he responded. "No. It's exceptionally difficult to determine that without delving into his mind—which he'd definitely sense. But being of destruction, I've no doubt his gifts will prove threatening."