Page 69 of Her Forbidden Shifters
I nodded, relaxing a little more. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said then a second later, added, “Really, don’t. Because I didn’t do it for you.”
I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”
At the same time, I couldn’t help but think, sure, you didn’t.
27
SAVANNAH
Once I ate, I set the plate on the table next to the door and then sat down and tried to meditate. I wanted to prepare mentally for what I was about to do, and I was going to need all the focus I could get.
Noah’s suggestion that we go out to dinner before the ritual was incredibly sweet of him. Though I still couldn’t help but wonder why he was suddenly interested in courting me. Part of me figured it had something to do with Liam and Jacob, but I wasn’t positive about that.
For the longest time, Noah had kept his distance. Sure, there were times when Avery and I had talked and she let it be known that Noah had asked about me, but since the end of our relationship, he had kept himself scarce. Until now.
But now wasn’t a good time for a relationship. And I hoped he would understand that my sleeping with him was only a means to an end. One where I could locate his sister and take down the anonymous group before we were too late.
That was my focus. That was what I kept my mind on.
Minutes later, my coven sisters arrived to take me to my old room. Once I stepped inside, I was shocked to find it the same as I had left it. Well, they put in fresh sheets and linens, thankfully. That was a nice, albeit needed, touch.
All around the room were also white candles to symbolize purity. Pink peonies for luck and fortune. Lavender and rose-scented incense for strength and protection. My sisters thought of everything. Especially Toni. With her behind all of this, I had the biggest chance of success.
The door to my room closed behind me. I slowly turned around and faced Noah. He was already starting to unbutton his shirt while slipping out of his shoes when he met my gaze.
“Getting right down to business, I see,” I said.
He smirked, “Why wait? I figured it was as you said, the sooner we find my sister, the more likely it will be to find her alive.”
I nodded. “I did say that. Yes.”
“Besides, the sooner we’re done, the sooner the ritual can be done, and then I can finally put my other plans into play,” he added.
“What plans are those, exactly?” I asked forcing down a large rush of anxiety.
He smiled even wider. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
I shook my head and started to take off the decorative belt keeping my robe closed. I couldn’t let distractions get to me now. I needed to keep my focus on the purpose of the sex. It was only for the ritual. I needed to only take enough time to gather the energy I needed to pull it off and that was it.
But I couldn’t deny there was a huge side of me that wanted so much more than that. Noah was sort of my weakness. My Achilles Heel and my kryptonite. He was my first love. My first everything. And when things had ended between us, it was one of the hardest things I had gone through. It took a very long time for me to get over him and let him go.
I let out a shuddering breath. Maybe I was biting off more than I could chew with this. Maybe this was too much to expect from me. Maybe this whole thing was a huge mistake and needed to be axed before it was too late.
I stopped undressing and considered if I should rethink this whole thing through.
“What’s wrong?” Noah asked, coming to stand directly behind me. I felt his warmth pressed against my back. The sensation was familiar and comforting.
My body continued to war with itself as I took in a breath. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because of how things ended between us. I can’t go through that again,” I said.
“I know. And I wouldn’t expect you to. But don’t think of it like that. Think of why we are doing this,” he said.
I appreciated how he was being gentle and encouraging. “I’m trying.”
