She sighed contentedly, whispering in my ear, “I’m glad to see you two getting along so well.”
“We’re just working together.”
“You smell different.”
My mouth twisted into an embarrassed grin while I shoved my face into her shoulder. This blouse would hide me just a little bit longer. If I didn’t want to face her, I didn’t have to.
And I knew that.
And she knew that.
And the way she rested her hand on the back of my neck told me that I didn’t need to do anything I didn’t want to just yet.
I inhaled her scent, soothed by the familiarity of my sibling. “Donovan seems to be treating you well. How’s the planning?”
“Long and arduous. All this vampire stuff has…”
I released her, drifting back just enough to see her worried expression.
I nodded. “I know.”
“You head straight back to the inn, do you understand?”
“We have to stop by his cabin. He needs clothes and things.”
She shook her head. “Replace them. Just head to the inn and forget about the cabin for a while.”
“But Sash, it’s not fair to—”
Her nails dug into my biceps. “Please, Rose. Just do it.”
The urgency in her gaze alarmed me. I stepped back and nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. “Okay, we’ll go right back to the inn.”
“Thank you.” She kissed my forehead. “Don’t wait up. I’m staying here for the night.”
“You got it, Sash.”
When we joined the boys in the living room, I noticed Matéo standing off by himself. He appeared lonelier than usual, disturbed by the way the men in the room jostled each other.
I guess if I lived on a mountain for years, then I wouldn’t understand it either, I considered.He might be confused by the whole pack thing.
Just observing him put me in a curious mood. His eyes caught every movement, every gesture, each expression without missing a beat. It was entrancing, almost arousing to notice the ways he noticed everything else.
And then, he noticed me.
A gust of chilly air swirled in my core, lancing me like a hot poker. It was such a rapid shift in energy that I teetered slightly, catching myself on the table while retaining his gaze. Those eyes weren’t monitoring me the same way as everyone else. They were far more curious, softer.
Warmer.
I smiled and nodded toward the door. He winked, heat slamming my cheeks as I slid past the boys to get to the porch. Outside, we linked hands and headed for the truck. I was so engulfed by the sight of our fingers tangled together that I ran into the car’s side mirror.
“Fuck,” I groaned. “Fuck theheavens.”
Matéo cackled. “Well, that’s a new one.”
“It hurt.” I rubbed my arm where the mirror bit my flesh. “It’s hot, too. My gods.”
“I’m sure the gods couldn’t control this weather if they tried.”