Page 76 of Eclipsed Heart

Miles crossed his arms. “That no one found funny.”

“Oh, believe me.” Jack shuddered. “My balls were so itchy that I couldn’t stop scratching, and they bled for a whole night. You got your revenge.”

I told you Stella was scary,Bodey linked.She goes for blood.

“And we handed over our states to them.” Dan shook his head. “What were we thinking?”

Michael opened the door for Janet, who carried in the steaks. All of a sudden, the conversation was over. Taylor rushed to the refrigerator and started rummaging around, pulling out condiments for the potatoes.

Everyone was quiet as we loaded up our plates. Stevie, Jack, Miles, and Stella stayed at the island while the rest of us headed to the rectangular dining table and took seats.

Samuel launched into filling in the women about everything that had happened while we were gone, which I appreciated. I couldn’t focus on anything but what the hell we were supposed to do next. What if the witch didn’t recognize the magic in me? I wasn’t sure how many more options there were, and even worse, we were running out of time for answers.

When everyone was done, Bodey stood, taking my hand. “You all stay as long as you want, but Dina wanted to make sure that Callie got rest for tomorrow.” He helped me out of my seat.

I shook my head. “I need to help clean up. Janet cooked all this for us.”

“Nonsense.” Destiny wagged her finger. “There are plenty of us here to do that. Stella, Stevie, Taylor, Alicia, and I haven’t done much all day except for worry. We can handle this.”

My chest expanded like it might explode. This was what having a family must feel like. “Thank you.”

Come on,Bodey tugged on my hand, easing me toward the hall. “Good night, everyone.”

When we made it to our room, he shut the door and locked it. My body warmed in response, and he chuckled.

“Not tonight, my love.” He guided me into the bathroom. “You’re achy, hurting, and need rest. Tonight, I will take care of you, and tomorrow, I promise I’ll ravish you.”

He turned on the shower, and we bathed together. But every time I tried to touch him, he’d growl and swat my hand despite his body’s clear response.

When we were both clean, I crawled into bed while Bodey grabbed his guitar. He played “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan and then “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge. His voice and the lyrics eased a part of me that only he could connect with, the cadence taking me to a safe place that I never wanted to leave.

When he was done, he slid into the spot beside me and kissed away the tears I’d cried while listening to him play before wrapping his arms around me in a gentle cocoon of warmth and falling asleep.

* * *

The alarmon my phone dinged, pulling me from my deep slumber. Bodey’s arms were still around me, holding me tight against him, and I didn’t want to leave them.

His hardness pressed into my back, creating a deep need that seemed to knot in my stomach. Ever since our shower, I’d wanted his body, but I hadn’t pushed it last night since he’d been desperate to take care of me.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d softened at all since our shower.

I snuck out a hand, turned off the alarm, and then rolled toward him. I slipped my hand into his pajama bottoms and began to stroke him. His body shuddered as his eyes flew open.

He smirked, his irises almost cobalt underneath his long, dark lashes. “I said we weren’t supposed to do anything.”

“Last night.” I leaned forward and sucked gently on his bottom lip. “It’s morning.”

Snarling, he flipped me onto my back and slid between my legs.Waking me up like that makes me damn desperate.He thrust against me despite us both being clothed.

I’m not complaining.I lifted up, capturing his lips.

Oh, you will be,he vowed, holding me against his chest as my hands tangled into his hair. He moved, clutching my ass cheeks and standing. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he walked me to the wall.

He pulled away from my mouth and kissed his way down my neck as my hands caressed his bare chest. The heavy thrum of our mate bond left me dizzy.

Pressing me against the wall, Bodey leaned away and tugged my shirt over my head, then tossed it over his shoulder. My breathing hitched as he kissed down my chest and took my nipple into his mouth. His finger slipped under my boxer shorts and slid between my lips, rubbing circles and causing flames to course through me.

His tongue flicked my breast, and I arched against him, searching for the friction I needed.

---