I had talked to Maddox and Briar about my feelings for Lake, and the only reservations they’d held had been about whether they could trust him—not about sharing me with a third man. The only question was: would Lake be willing to share me with them too.
“Well, I’m happy you’re here tonight.” Slowly, I reached for his hand. “As for the rest, what do you want to do about it?”
Lake tensed as my fingers made contact with his skin. He then released that tension in a shaky breath. “I’m unsure.” He dropped his gaze to my hand before ever so lightly threading our fingers together. “But this feels… nice.”
The touch was innocent, just a simple holding of hands, but my heart knocked against my ribs. My breaths passed between my lips in uneven exhales, heavy, and then shorter.
“It feelsright,” I said.
“But impossible.” Lake started to pull away.
I held his hand tighter to stop him. “I used to think my dream of opening a café was impossible. Turns out, I just wasn’t in the right place. Coming to Bremloc changed that.”
It had changed everything. Lifted me from a dark place and opened my eyes to how beautiful life could be. I now lived my life instead of merely existing.
Lake swallowed hard. “I’ve never wanted to get close to anyone before, Evan. Not until you.”
“I don’t see what’s so special about me. I’m just a clumsy bookworm who loves coffee and sweets.”
“And I’m just a lone wolf with poor impulse control and an aversion to physical contact. Yet, for whatever reason, you seem to like me too.” He traced my left eyebrow, then trailed his finger to my cheekbone. A caress to my jaw. Those small touches probably took a lot of courage for him, so I stayed still and let him explore.
“I do like you,” I said, enjoying his soft caresses. “A lot.”
“Even though I’ve lashed out at you?”
“You didn’t mean to.” I knew that in my heart. “You were just scared. It was my fault for being too close.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Lake said, his voice tight. “Please. You aren’t responsible for my actions. Perhaps one day I won’t be so… reckless.”
“Hey, give yourself some credit.” I rested my hand on his hip, careful not to move too suddenly. “Look. You’re letting me touch you. You’re even initiating touches too. I’d say you’re making great progress.”
Lake showed his teeth as he smiled, not closed-mouth like it had been up until that point. Fuck, it was beautiful.
Hewas beautiful.
A thought occurred to me, then. Lake had said once that he had no relationship experience.
“You’ve never been with anyone before?” I asked. “Romantically?”
“Never,” Lake answered.
“What about the other stuff?”
He cocked his head to the side, and when his wolf ears perked up with the action, I could’ve died from the cuteness. “Other stuff?”
“Yeah. Like kissing. Sex. Physical stuff.”
“You were my first kiss.”
“What? Seriously? Does that mean you’re also a virgin?”
“Yes.”
“No fucking way.”
“This is a surprise to you?”
“Well… yeah. Sort of.” I breathed out a laugh. “I guess it shouldn’t be, huh? You said you avoid people and are always alone. But I guess I just…” My cheeks heated. “Never mind.”
