Page 24 of Season of the Wolf

I considered her suggestion—one of many she’d made lately concerning him—and nodded.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Continuing toward the steps, where I assumed she was headed before I came out of my room, Hilda touched a hand to my shoulder. Alone, I stared at Liam’s door, the faint outline of light between it and the frame. Hilda was right about giving him time to heal, to rest, but … I couldn’t seem to make myself stay away.

I walked in, aware of running water in his attached bathroom as I closed the door behind me. The sheets were cool when I slipped between them, snuggling beneath the comforter while I waited. His bed was now basically mine, too, seeing as how this was where I spent all my nights.

Not that he seemed to mind sharing his space.

The water stopped and my keen hearing made it easy to mark his every move—the moment his foot landed on the rug beside the shower, the rustling of fabric when he grabbed a towel, the hinges creaking when he opened the door.

Our eyes locked and I was relieved to note how his expression softened at the sight of me, making it clear he definitely preferred our new sleeping arrangement versus the old.

Feeling unbearably shy under his stare, my teeth sank into my lip as he sauntered closer. Beads of water escaped the ends of his hair, streaming wet trails down his chest, his stomach. It was impossible to decide whether he looked better coming or going. Even after seeing him from allangles, I hadn’t been able to choose.

I hardly took my eyes off him this week, since he’d been awake and, once again, an active member of our household. But mostly, I hadn’t been able to look away because I was drawn to him. Just like the proverbial moth to a flame. In fact, the allure seemed to be even stronger now than before.

A warm smile passed my way and my heart lurched as he lowered onto his side of the mattress, covered only by the towel wrapped around his waist.

“You’re spoiling me,” he said. “Having you here every night is something I could definitely get used to again.” The words puffed from his lips with a deep, gentle laugh, but I was fixated on one word in particular.

Again.

He said again. As in … like before.

Our past together was never far from his mind.

My fingers flitted through my still-damp hair, and the thoughts I tried to keep bridled got away from me. Oncethathappened, it wasn’t long until a bit of doubt crept in despite myself.

Thanks to Hilda.

“Is it … okay?” I stammered. “It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you wanted space sometimes.”

And it wouldn’t. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel crowded out of his own sanctuary. I understood he was dealing with a lot, and wouldn’t take it personally.

His brow tensed when he glanced back, letting an incredulous laugh slip out.

“Are you joking?”

The question made a smile quirk on my lips, but I didn’t respond.

“Evangeline, I’m pretty sure the decision to return to your own bed would force me to kidnap you,” he chuckled. “I’d drag you back, kicking and screaming if I had to.”

That smile of his widened and the bout of nervousness passed.

“Caveman-style?” I asked, relaxing against his headboard.

His thick brow jutted up when he passed another look over his massive shoulder.

“If that’s how you like it,” he quipped.

Those smoldering, hazel irises dragged over me, the look inducing erratic breaths before my eyes slipped from his.

Lower.

To a body corded in rigid muscle, sheathed in bronzed skin. The temptation to reach my hand toward his back was overwhelming. At the very thought, I imagined feeling the water from his shower on my palm.

He needs rest, Evangeline.

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