Page 28 of Destined to the Lycan
“Delicious,” he said, his voice a little deeper than normal as he licked his lips.
“Glad you like it,” I said, a whirlwind of emotions raging through me.
I really liked Remus. Why had I just met him now? What if the next few days were all that we would ever have? The connection between us couldn’t be denied. I wanted to explore it all, not rush through it or be cheated of what might have been. But this brief episode in the kitchen was a stark reminder that life was fleeting and to never take anything for granted.
“More?” I asked.
He nodded. I lifted the cup to his lips so he could drink some more. This time, a few drops trickled at the corner of his mouth. Without thinking, I wiped it with my thumb, then licked it off my finger. I froze for a split second once I realized what I haddone. Seeing the white of his eyes darken, as if storm clouds had rushed in, lit a flame in the pit of my stomach.
Despite my embarrassment, I didn’t avert my eyes as his gaze bore into mine. A silent communication passed between us. Neither of us commented about what I had done, but something undeniably shifted between us.
And that was fine by me.
I smiled. Remus glanced at my lips, his desire to kiss me almost palpable. I silently encouraged him to proceed, but he simply reciprocated the smile then resumed cleaning the meat.
That, too, was fine by me.
Many other men would have jumped at the first opportunity to get frisky. His restraint spoke volumes about the type of male he was, making me feel even safer with him. A healthy dose of sexual tension also had its perks.
Remus paused every so often so that I could give him another sip. We talked amiably as he completed his work. Although the cider had a low alcoholic concentration, it still helped me relax and loosen up a little. I loved the keen interest he displayed as I told him about my chandler and perfumer business.
“You know, mages often come in the mountains seeking some rare reagents for their rituals,” Remus said pensively as we returned to the kitchen. “We have several plants and creatures that are highly coveted. Once everything is settled, I’ll be happy to bring you the ones that could benefit your business. We even have a phoenix that drops by from time to time.”
“That would be amazing!”
He grinned, pleased by my reaction.
“I should do the cooking since you hunted and cleaned the rabbits,” I offered, pointing at his catches as he laid them on the counter.
He firmly shook his head. “It’s my duty to provide and care for you. And you made us mulled cider and started the fire.”
I snorted. “That’s hardly comparable! It took little effort!”
“As does hunting for me. You even noted how quickly I did it.”
He chuckled when I scrunched my face, failing to find a counterargument.
“Now stop fretting and rest,” he said in a falsely severe tone as he gestured at one of the tall stools by the counter for me to sit on. “How do you like your meat?”
Defeated, I complied and hoisted myself onto one of the benches. I’d never been too fond of those raised seats. I liked sitting at the standard height of a chair, with my feet firmly resting on the floor. The footrests on the high stools never did it for me.
“Fine, you bully,” I grumbled with false displeasure. “For rabbit, well-done, please. For red meat, I usually go with medium. But let me guess, you eat yours rare?”
He chuckled. “In my human form, yes, usually rare. Though I can enjoy fully cooked meat, especially in a stew. But as a wolf, I eat raw,” he replied while taking out some spice.
I tilted my head to the side, my curiosity piqued. “Do you have a preference between human and wolf form?”
“Wolf form,” he said without hesitation. He gave me a sheepish smile in response to my stunned reaction. “I spent the first two years of my life entirely as a wolf. It took me a while to come to terms with being a man instead. As people didn’t like me, I often found peace and escape while roaming as a wolf. It stayed with me. Life is simpler in the wild. That I’m faster, stronger, with more acute senses as a wolf certainly plays an additional part in it.”
I nodded slowly. “That makes sense. I envy you, and all shifters for that matter. It must be amazing exploring the world in a completely different form.”
“It is,” he concurred. “Do you wish for accompaniment for the meal? There’s a small garden outside from which I can fetch some tomatoes and—”
“That’s not necessary,” I said gently, interrupting him. “Meat will be enough for tonight. And what you’re cooking smells really good. Once we’re done, I wouldn’t mind taking a dip in that river out back.”
“You got it.”
Remus cut up one of the two rabbits so that each part would cook faster. The second rabbit hardly saw any heat. Calling it rare wouldn’t even begin to qualify. Had it not been skinned and gutted, that rabbit would have hopped right off his plate and back into the wild. At least, it wasn’t bleeding.
