Page 22 of Silver
“Is that so horrid of a thought?”
I blinked and looked up at my mate. “What?” What he’d asked registered. “Oh no. I was actually wondering if you had a toothbrush I could use. I’d really like to brush my teeth? I fell asleep last night before I could, and I don’t have anything here.”
Silver stared at me for a long moment, his darker eyes boring into me. “Yeah, I have spare toothbrushes. New toothpaste, too, if you don’t want to use mine.” Silver cleared his throat. “But after everything last night, I’d think you wouldn’t have an issue with using my toothpaste.”
He was right, of course. His mouth had been all over my body. And mine had been many places on his. Why was I worrying about using a toothbrush? I sighed.
“Sorry. You’re right, of course. I?—”
“No,” Silver said as he gently covered my mouth again with a few fingers. “I do not mind giving you a new toothbrush. The comment wasn’t about that. Just the toothpaste. It does touch my mouth, which until last night had touched others. Then again, so has yours. But that’s not what we were talking about.” Silver pinched the bridge of his nose.
I reached up and pulled his fingers off my mouth, and when he looked at me, I shook my head. “I understand the frustration. I honestly wouldn’t have an issue with using your toothbrush. I had no way of knowing if you would have a problem with that.” I sighed again. “Look,” I said, giving his wrist a gentle squeeze. “We don’t know one another very well. We have a lot to do when it comes to learning the ins and outs of each other. But I think we’re acting like two complete strangers instead of a newly mated couple.” I groaned and closed my eyes. “Well, we are strangers. Ugh.” I was just frustrating myself.
“How about this,” Silver said. He leaned down, kissed my forehead, and then reached for a drawer in the middle of his massive double-sink vanity. “Here is a toothbrush for you,” he said as he set it on the counter. “Here’s a new toothpaste as well.” It joined the toothbrush on the counter. “I don’t have a holder for you for things, but we can go shopping and get you stuff. Or you are more than welcome to bring any and all of your things over here as soon as you’re ready.” Silver looked back at me. “You’re still willing to move in here? We can go hunting, but I had thought the bathroom did it for you.”
I couldn’t help it; I started laughing. We were absolutely ridiculous this morning. We were both naked, we’d been abruptly woken by at least two of his brothers, and we weremaking a conversation about toothbrushes more difficult than it ever needed to be. What was wrong with us?
Silver stood up, and after staring at me laughing like a loon for several seconds, he finally raised an eyebrow. It took several more moments for me to get myself under control, but when I did, I had to fan myself a bit because my eyes were watering.
“Whoo.” I cleared my throat, and after another moment or two, I finally got myself under control. “I’m sorry,” I said for starters. “It’s just that we’re being absolutely ridiculous. We’re both naked, we’ve just claimed one another last night, and we’re having way too difficult of a conversation for first thing in the morning before coffee.”
Silver’s smile was slow to come, but when it did, I knew I wanted to see it as often as I could. “You’re right. Let’s brush our teeth, put on at least some pants, and then we’ll go have breakfast. Did you want to eat here or go out on our way to yours so we can pick up some of your things?”
I was about to say here but then caught on to what he’d said. Smooth. He was suave at how he worked that in there. And now I was torn. I wanted nothing more than to be seen out with such a sexy man. My mate was sexy! But I also wanted to spend the morning holed up in his gorgeous house. But if we stayed here, it would be more difficult to pull myself away later when I needed to go home and pack at least an overnight bag.
“You make things difficult,” I said in frustration as I picked up the toothbrush and put toothpaste on it.
“What? How?” Silver asked as he did the same.
I looked at my mate and shook my head. “Because I want nothing more than to spend the day with you here at your gorgeous house. But I need to go home and get clothes. But also because you’re you, and you are undeniably sexy as sin, and I want to go out and be seen with you with me.” I sighed. “There’s just no winning, actually. I know I need to go home to my sadlittle cottage and get ready to get back to reality tomorrow.” Silver stood there staring at me, but I just went about brushing my teeth. I needed to do that at a minimum.
I tried not to let Silver know I was aware he was still staring at me instead of brushing his own teeth. When I finished, I rinsed, spit, and then set the toothbrush down on the counter. My mate was still staring at me like something unexpected had happened. “Sorry about that. I’ll clean the counter later if you want me to.”
Silver blinked and shook his head. “No. I don’t. Just go get dressed,” he said a bit gruffly.
I nodded and took off into the bedroom. I needed to try and find all of my clothing. We’d been careful not to tear anything last night, but I still only managed to locate one of my socks. Not that it mattered too much. Silver came out of the bathroom while I was pulling on my shirt. I did four of the buttons, then stood and reached for my pants. Shoes were next, and then I was ready to go. Silver had disappeared into his closet, and I was starting to think we were at that odd morning-after stage. We weren’t just hookups though. We were mates. We’d claimed one another.
Silver reappeared, looking even sexier in snug-fitting jeans and a black T-shirt. I had to roll my lips inward to keep from saying anything. “I’m going to get out of your way,” I said, pointing at the door.
“You aren’t in my way. If you give me two more minutes to get on socks and boots, I’ll take you home. We can get you some fresh clothes, then go out to breakfast. I know a great diner that’s not far from our office building. Then we can go back to yours and pack some of your stuff. You will need at least a week’s worth of clothes and bathroom stuff. Not that I mind you using mine. But my clothes just aren’t going to fit you.”
I nodded slowly. Inside, I was screaming about the fact that my mate wanted me with him. I pinched the bridge of my nose,trying to calm my mind. I was all over this morning, and I really needed to get my shit together before I upset my mate. Silver was a mate. He wanted to take me to breakfast. He wanted to be seen with me. He’d run his brothers off because, well…they’d just barged in while we were in bed together.
“You’re thinking a bit too hard there for so early in the morning,” Silver said. He reached out and touched my cheek. We’re going to have a long discussion later about some things, but right now, we need to get you changed so we can go eat. Discussions are always better with a full stomach.”
I nodded in agreement. Silver moved his hand from my cheek to my wrist. He gently wrapped his much larger hand around it and led me from the bedroom. He stopped by the counter long enough to grab his keys and phone, and then we were walking out the door.
“Oh…I…” I told him as I tried to let him know my phone was on the counter.
Silver stopped and opened the passenger door to his massive truck. “Did you need a boost in?”
I looked up at the truck and nodded. I didn’t know how I’d ever be able to get into the massive thing without help. “And maybe a step stool to get high enough for that boost.”
Silver chuckled. He surprised me by simply grabbing me on my hips and lifting. I squeaked, grabbed ahold of his shoulders, and then flailed a little before my behind landed on plush leather.
“Buckle up.”
I nodded before I spun around to get situated. I wasn’t surprised at Silver’s choice of vehicle at all. He was a large man, and his truck fit him. Me, not so much. Then again, I had a tiny car that my mate barely fit inside.
