Page 42 of Not Your Ordinary Shifter

With a sigh, she adds, “From what I’ve read in books, it sounds painful.”

“It can be,” Grant explains. “But it’s a sexual ache meant to bring us together. Being intimate and letting us claim you will stop it.”

“Sounds like a cheap pickup line.” Reece snickers.

I chuckle. “Grant’s specialty.”

He flicks a piece of food at me from across the table, making me laugh harder. Reece and Grant join in. After the day we’ve had, it’s nice to be able to finally come together. Reece doesn’t feel as far out of reach as she did an hour ago, and I’m thankful for it.

The conversation is easy as we finish dinner. We discuss small things like our favorite colors and foods, getting to know one another. By the time we get up to clear the table, the sun has set outside.

Reece offers to help, but we insist on handling it ourselves. She sits at the table, watching us with a smile. I put the leftover casserole away while Grant washes the dishes.Having Reece’s eyes on me as I work is an aphrodisiac all its own.

“I could get used to this,” she says with affection in her voice.

“Good,” I reply. “Because males tend to pamper their mates.”

“Lucky me,” she teases.

The flirtation in her tone makes my blood run south. We’ve come a long way in a little time. That’s not unusual for mates, but knowing that she’s gotten more comfortable with us is a huge relief.

Grant hands me a wet plate he just washed. I dry it off with a clean dishrag before putting it away. Reece’s chair suddenly scrapes across the hardwood and she speed walks out of the room. Grant and I exchange glances.

“Reece,” I call out. “You okay?”

“Fine!” she yells back as the bathroom door slams.

Chapter

Nine

GRANT

Is she sick?

Connor shrugs at my thoughts.

I pass a cup to Connor for him to dry and put away, listening for any distress from Reece in case something is wrong. Being a shifter has its advantages, like strong hearing.

I begin working on a plate; it drops from my hands into the sink as the echo of Reece’s heart pounding reaches my ears. I storm out of the room, following the sound. I know where it’s coming from even before I get there.

At first, I’m worried something is wrong.

Then the scent hits me inches from the bathroom door and I freeze.

She’s in heat.

The scent of her arousal gets stronger by the second.

I hear a growl from the kitchen, followed by Connor’s tense voice, “Grant.”

This is why I always try to stay in control. While my bison is ready to claim her, pacing in the back of my mind, and my cock is harder than it’s ever been in my life, I have the strength to keep myself from breaking down a door to get to her.

Connor, on the other hand, is five seconds from losing it.

“Everyone, breathe!” I command loud enough for both Connor and Reece to hear me.

“The more I breathe, the more I smell it!” Connor yells back.

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