Page 11 of Honey Heat
“Yeah. Though I’m pretty sure I look like roadkill right now.” Ethan self-consciously ran a hand through his disheveled hair.
“Nah. More like a teddy bear that got into a fight with a lawnmower.” Lucio cut into the pancakes, spearing a piece with the plastic fork. “And somehow still looks adorable.”
“Smooth talker,” Ethan murmured, a blush creeping up his neck. “Are you going to feed me too?”
“That was the plan, unless you’d rather wear your breakfast.” He gestured to Ethan’s bandaged hands. “Those fingers aren’t going to be much use with utensils.”
“Fair point.” Ethan opened his mouth expectantly, eyes challenging Lucio.
He held the fork steady, watching as Ethan closed his lips around the pancake. Something possessive stirred in his chest at the sight.
“Oh my god,” Ethan moaned, eyes fluttering closed. “That’s the best thing I’ve tasted in days.”
“Lizard’s. Best breakfast in town, despite the creepy decor.” Lucio scooped up some eggs onto the fork and fed them to the bear. “The owner has an unhealthy obsession with reptiles.”
“Better than an obsession with bears,” Ethan murmured. “Do you know how many bear-themed gifts I get every birthday? Last year my dad’s second-in-command gave me honey-scented everything. I smelled like a walking beehive for weeks.”
Lucio couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face. “At least you didn’t get wolf-themed stuff. Santiago once gifted me a howling wolf lamp that had glowing red eyes. Scared the shit out of me every time I woke up at night.”
“Where is it now?” Ethan asked, accepting another bite of pancake.
“Tragic accident involving a baseball bat.” Lucio’s expression remained completely serious. “Very sad. We had a small funeral.”
Ethan laughed then immediately groaned, clutching his ribs. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“Sorry, hermoso.” Lucio set the fork down, his hand moving instinctively to rest on Ethan’s forearm. The skin beneath his fingers felt warm, soft despite the visible bruises. “Need a minute?”
“I’m okay,” Ethan said after taking a few careful breaths. His gaze dropped to where Lucio’s hand rested on his arm, but he didn’t pull away. “Just didn’t expect breakfast to be life-threatening.”
“My company often has that effect on people.” Lucio removed his hand reluctantly and went back to feeding Ethan. “Now I know to keep the jokes to a minimum until your ribs heal.”
“Or just pad my ribs better,” Ethan suggested, eyes meeting Lucio’s. “I like your jokes.”
Something warm bloomed in Lucio’s chest at those words. “High praise from someone who’s probably still on pain meds.”
“I’m perfectly lucid,” Ethan protested, though the slight glassiness in his eyes suggested otherwise. “Lucid enough to know you’re much nicer than most wolves I’ve met.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.” Lucio offered another forkful of eggs, watching as Ethan’s lips closed around it. He tried not to focus on how perfectly shaped those lips were, or how they might feel against his own.
“Won’t say a word,” Ethan said, accepting the next bite. A drop of syrup clung to his lower lip, and he caught it with his tongue.
Lucio tried not to stare, but failed miserably. “Hungry, osito?”
“Starving. And curious.” Ethan tilted his head. “What does that mean? Osito?”
“Little bear.” Lucio speared some eggs. “It seemed fitting.”
“Most bears would be offended at being called little anything.” Ethan’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Lucky for you, I’ve never been most bears.”
“I noticed.” His gaze travelled over Ethan’s form. Even battered and bruised, there was something captivating about him. He offered another forkful of food, deliberately letting his fingers brush against Ethan’s chin.
The touch sent an unexpected jolt through his hand, warm and electric. From Ethan’s quick intake of breath, he’d felt it too.
“Are you really a fulltime nursemaid?” Ethan said after swallowing.
“First time, actually.” Lucio mixed some eggs with a bite of pancake. “I’m usually the tech guy. Computers, security systems. Not much call for bedside manner.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” Ethan’s eyes never left Lucio’s face. “You’re surprisingly good at this.”
