Page 67 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Chapter Nineteen

Dom had slept withMadeline in his arms most of the night. Her restlessness was understandable since she was eager to return to her home in St. Louis. Though his sleep was troubled also, he didn’t disturb her. He left her to her dreams as he pressed against her naked back, enjoying the caress of silky skin for the last time.

Ever since Gareth, Dom had avoided deep connections. Somehow, Madeline had slipped beneath his barriers. He’d miss her. As he stroked fingers through her soft hair, his heart ached. Taking her home was the right thing to do, but for a brief time, he’d had someone who cared for him as much as he’d cared for her. He’d had someone who hadn’t betrayed him.

Shaking off his regrets, Dom slipped silently out of bed. He stepped into his pants and headed for the kitchen. After he’d been working on breakfast for a while, Maddy stumbled in, sleep rumpled and knuckling her eyes. She wore his t-shirt, reminding him he’d miss the sight of her long legs, her wit, and her hesitant smile.

Freki prowled alongside, her hand tangled in his fur. She patted his head. “The mutt’s famished.” She yawned.

Growling, the beast said, “Damn straight. How about some gently seared steak?”

Dom sneered at the wolver but asked Maddy, “How about you?”

“Always hungry.” She snagged orange juice from the fridge and poured two glasses. Afterward, she filled the wolver’s bowl with water.

Freki lapped it up.

Dom set a plate of chopped beef on the floor next to the furry creature’s other bowl. He returned to the stove, piling scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon onto plates. Putting one in front of Madeline, he saved the larger portions for himself. He lugged a stool alongside her.

As they ate in silence, Maddy’s hand lingered on his thigh. Dom smothered a groan.

After a bite of bacon, she slapped a hand to her mouth, pushing her plate away. “Ouch.” With an elbow resting on the counter, she braced her chin on her palm.

“Problem?”

“Toothache. Just a twinge. Nothing serious. I guess I’ll go to the dentist when I get home.” She paused, her hand continuing to stroke up and down his leg. “Before I forget to say it, Dom, thank you for saving me.”

“No need to thank me for doing my job.”

“You do it well.” Patting his leg, she rose, gathered her plate, and reached for his.

Dom let the subject hang. He wanted Maddy to stay, but a mortal human didn’t belong in OneWorld. Wishing things were different changed nothing. “Leave the dishes.”

“Okay.” She spun around, calling over her shoulder as she sprinted from the room, “I’ll get dressed.”

Dom shoved the plates and flatware into the dishwasher, ignoring the crumbs on the counter. Maddy would gasp at his lack of perfection.

Aw, damn.

He swiped a sponge over the countertop.

There.

“What’s going on?” asked Freki, his bowl licked clean.

“I’m returning the human to Earth.”

“Who’s gonna feed me when she’s gone?” His ears flattened.

“Why don’t you catch your prey like other wolvers?”

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