Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
She takes a deep breath as she thinks about it.
“Well,” she says, looking a bit unsure now. “Maybe take her out to dinner first?”
“All done,” I say as I clean my mate’s skin, washing the stencil ink off with a cloth. The wolves are howling at the moon like they know my secret and are trying to warn their sister about me.
I have to look away. I clean my station as she stands up and walks to the mirror. She takes a deep breath and turns to look at the new piece of art on her body.
I can’t help but look at her. My eyes are magnets to this woman.
She’s silent for a long moment as she takes it in.
I’ve left a mark on her, but it’s not the mark that my bear and I had in mind.
We have the shop to ourselves right now. Victoria and Adrian left to get coffee in town and to give us some privacy.
I know how this would have gone done if I had never met Mace and Knox. I would have gone over there, taken her in my arms, and kissed her soft succulent mouth, carefree in the knowledge that there’s no dark secret between us.
But… Would she even be here if we hadn’t killed her brothers? Would we ever have crossed paths?
My mind is racing with every scenario as she turns to me with watery eyes. She’s even more beautiful when she’s emotional. This woman keeps getting better and better.
“I love it,” she says, clasping her hands together. The movement pushes her breasts together and I have to fight my eyes from gawking at the stunning sight. “Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad you like it,” I say as I peel my latex gloves off.
She turns and looks at it again in the mirror, admiring it from all angles.
“How can I possibly thank you properly?” she asks.
I answer without thinking. “Let me take you out to dinner.”
She turns and smiles at me, her shining eyes curling up as her wide smile reaches them. “Okay,” she says with her adorable cheeks blushing. “I’d like that.”
“Are you free tonight?”
She nods, her smile still glowing.
A part of me wants to go over there and kiss her right now, but another part warns me that I’m in dangerous territory. I have to play this right. I have to go slow.
Because when my girl finds out what I’ve done, she might never want to see me again.
Mate or not, I’m on thin fucking ice.
CHAPTER SIX
Erica
Ihope I look okay. I didn’t bring too many clothes. I really didn’t think I’d have a hot date on this trip, so I didn’t bring anything sexy. But this seems okay. I think.
I’m wearing my lucky, hip-hugging blue jeans and I bought a cute black top in a little shop in town. I wish I didn’t have to wear this big bulky bandage over my tattoo. I can’t wait to show it off. Magnus did a phenomenal job and I love it.
Something hits me while I’m doing my makeup.
Doesn’t he have a mate?
Shifters have mates. They don’t go on dates with random women. So why is Magnus interested in me?
My neck starts tingling and I touch the spot, wondering if it could be…?
No. That’s ridiculous.
But it would make sense. The way he was looking at me with all that desire and need. The intense feeling of possession in the air. The way we were so on edge, like we were both a second away from tearing each other’s clothes off. Could that mean what I think it could mean?
“You look beautiful,” my aunt Jenny says as she pops her head into the bathroom. “New top?”
I smile shyly as I brush some blush over my cheeks. “Yeah. I picked it up in town at the cute little shop by the post office. Thought I’d try to dress like someone who’s not completely falling apart inside.”
Jenny half-smiles, half-frowns as she leans against the doorframe, her arms crossed and her head tilted. “You don’t have to be okay all at once, Erica,” she says softly. “It’s okay to be… in-between. You’ve been through a lot.”
I nod as I grab a tissue to keep the tears from smudging my mascara.
She steps closer and gently plays with my hair. “I want you to have fun tonight. You deserve some light in your life.”
I smile as I nod. “Thanks, Aunt Jenny. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she says, hugging me from behind. “I know your home is in Louisville, but your roots are here. You should come by more often. I’d love to see you more and you’re welcome to stay with me anytime you’d like.”
I sink into the hug, feeling like this might be where I’m meant to live. Louisville has never felt… right. And now that my brothers are gone, I’m seeing this town in a new light. I don’t know… The mountains and natural beauty… It feels like it’s calling to me. I’m getting this indescribable feeling that this is my true home.