Page 110 of Fangs and Fudge

Water gushed from one of the side showerheads and doused me with icy water. I squealed in surprise and yelled for Vena. She wasn’t the one to burst in, though.

Wearing nothing but a damp towel around his waist, Shepard moved me to the side and tapped on the screen. The water turned off, and the pink lighting went away.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

His wet hair fell around his head in a sexy, wild disarray. My gaze skimmed over his cheeks and strong jaw, catching briefly on his lips before landing on the clean, broad expanse of his chest.

A ring nestled between the valley of his chiseled, smooth pecs. It looked like Cross’ twin, but with a blue gem instead of a red one.

Without thinking, I reached up to turn it. My fingers brushed Shepard’s skin. He caught my hand in a loose hold, and I looked up at him.

“I wasn’t trying to take it,” I said.

“I know. But if you don’t want me to kiss you again, you should refrain from touching me,” he said gently.

“Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say while holding his intense gaze. Should I tell him that I hadn’t minded our kiss? That I wasn’t sure where I stood between him and Cross? Was I some prize in the middle, or was it something else?

My gaze shifted to my hand in his and the way his finger was lightly feathering back and forth over mine. Shepard or Cross? Cross or Shepard? They were both appealing and drew me in.

I glanced up again, studying Shepard’s bright grey eyes.

He made a small growling sound and cursed. Then his lips were on mine. Not hot and demanding but soft, sweet, and asking. I tipped my head back and welcomed him in. He pulled me closer with his free hand pressed against the small of my back and deepened the kiss. My pulse started to race at the first caress of his tongue against mine.

I had to be crazy. What was I doing? I didn’t want to be a part of their tug-of-war game. Yet, the way I felt in Shepard’s arms seemed so real.

He tore his mouth from mine and nibbled his way down my neck.

“Everly,” he whispered reverently. He set my hand on his chest, and I felt his racing heartbeat beneath my palm. “Do you have any idea what you mean to me?”

It was a huge red flag question. One that Vena would run from. Not me. Not usually. Why, then, did it feel like he’d blasted me with cold shower water? Maybe because he was a wolf. And wolves mated forever. I wasn’t ready to give forever. Not right now.

I stepped back from him, breathing hard and wide-eyed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen,” I hurried to say. “It’s been a bit stressful lately, and I’m not thinking straight.”

His gaze swept over my face, without judgment but with a large amount of desire that made me want to step right back into his arms.

“I’m not a quick and easy type of girl,” I said. “I’m not a prude, but I don’t mess around. Not with my feelings or anyone else’s.”

“I know that, Everly. That’s why I like you.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I apologize for taking what you weren’t willing to give. It won’t happen again.”

“I, uh–I wasn’t unwilling, Shepard,” I said, not wanting him to think he’d behaved like MC. “I just don’t–” I blew out a breath. “You and Cross already have a lot of animosity. I don’t want to be the reason for it to grow.”

Shepard studied me and gave me a soft smile. “I understand. Thank you for clarifying.”

He turned away, and feeling torn and sad, I watched him leave.

I liked Shepard. A lot.But when I thought of doing more with Shepard, I worried what Cross would think. And the same thing for doing more with Cross. Kissing both of them was enjoyable. So was their attention. But I refused to mislead either of them or become a pawn in their game.

Sighing, I stepped to the side, hit the button Shepard had used, then adjusted the temperature.

While I scrubbed both vampire and wolf scents from my skin, I considered the Shepard versus Cross problem. As I’d said, I wasn’t easy. Neither was I the type to string two guys along. Yet, the thought of having a serious talk with Shepard and Cross about their intentions had me wrinkling my nose.

The shower didn’t wash away my confusion or give me any answers. All it did was make me smell like Shepard’s soap.

Dressed in my pajamas with the towel wrapped around my head, I emerged from the bathroom to find Vena in her pajamas, sitting on the floor in front of the TV with a plate in her hands. It was loaded with mashed potatoes covered with a stew-like gravy.

Mouth full, she gave me a tight-lipped smile and a thumbs up.

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