Page 41 of Wolf's Claimed Mate
“Make yourself at home,” I muttered as he scrolled on his phone. Silverlake Valley didn’t have many options, but there was a delivery place not far from here. I watched in amazement as he ordered two meals and then handed me his phone. I picked orange chicken and steak skewers with a side of fried rice. As I gave it back, Declan texted him.
I’ll be at Fenrys’s house at midday tomorrow with my art stuff.
“Declan’s texting you, finally?” I asked. Conall had first filled me in on the fact that he and his brother no longer spoke back when Fenrys and Aidan held the first pack meeting.
“Yeah,” Conall said. “I’ve asked him to draw the man that was with Jackson. It’ll bring the picture a little more, I suppose. It’ll help the rest of the pack keep an eye out for those we need to monitor.”
I nodded slowly. “Good thinking.”
“It’s why I originally came over,” he laughed. “Until I saw you being all distracting.”
“I was just opening the door!”
“In those fucking shorts.”
He shook his head. There was some space between us, as if he was aware to keep that distance. I didn’t know how he knew not to interrupt me, but maybe he didn’t want to push his luck.
I’d walked away from him twice now, but the third time I’d positively melted, let him take care of me afterward, and lost myself in my own thoughts even if they were scary. Even if theylooked like they genuinely wanted Conall in more than afake boyfriendsort of way.
It terrified me.
He ordered the food, and I didn’t know what to say.
“Sasha,” Conall spoke up.
“Yes?”
He paused. I turned to look at him, but he was looking at his own clasped hands. “Can I share your orange chicken?”
I knew it wasn’t what he originally wanted to ask, but he’d let me off with plenty of false truths so I let him off too. I kissed him softly, moaning softly when he cupped my face.
“You can share any of it.”
He smiled, pulling back. “Will you come with me tomorrow to see Declan? He wants a buffer, and I trust you. He seems to trust you as well.”
I barely knew Declan, so to think he felt that made me feel a little honored.
“Of course,” I said. Everything felt so domesticated, too fluffy and couple-like, so I slid off the bed before I could do something stupid like sit in his lap, seduce him, let myself take things one step further each time.
***
After we ate, Conall gathered himself and stood up.
“I should head out and let you get some sleep.”
“Wait,” I murmured, reaching out. His hair was slicked back, wet from the shower he’d taken after we ate dinner. He’d changed into the same clothes but he no longer smelt like sexand the woods. I actually found myself missing his scent from before. “Well… What if you stayed? People think we’re a couple, and the bookshop is still open. It might look strange if you leave now.”
It wouldn’t, but it was the first excuse I could think of when I couldn’t outright say:I want you to stay.
Conall paused, his face lifted in hope. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Since the pack, I hadn’t slept with anyone else around since Jackson, and I was apprehensive now but nodded.
“I’ll take the couch,” he told me.
I bit my lip, nodding. My bed was plenty big enough, but I didn’t trust myself not to want more if he lay down next to me.
“Let me get you some spare pillows and a blanket,” I murmured, sliding off the bed. My robe slid up my leg, exposing that I hadn’t worn underwear since the bath. I waited for Conall to look disappointed at the lack of an offer to stay in my bed with me, but he didn’t. Maybe it was because we were in the same room.
