Page 16 of Damaged Princess

I frown, rubbing at the back of my neck. She looks up at me, and I know I've got to do something to put her at ease.

"The mattress in each nest is special ordered. They have this three-inch-thick foam topper that's got a waterproof layer. They're all removed and sanitized between uses," I say, like I'm reading the fucking brochure.

My head hangs. At times like these I'd kill for Wolfe's swagger or even Vik's 'I don't give a fuck' indifference. Neither of them would be blushing right now, but my face burns with embarrassment.

"Let's check it out," Anastasia says, taking my hand and kneeling down on the bed. I follow her down, grateful for the olive branch. She drops my hand and crawls up the mattress. Her short dress barely covers her ass, and I feel like a total dick for being unable to look away. She's got this slim hourglass figure that's even more pronounced when she's on all fours.

She makes it to the top of the bed and rolls over to face me. I toss myself down next to her.

Reaching over her, I grab one of the soft smaller blankets from the pile and tuck it around her. I lay my head on my forearm to keep my glasses from getting bent.

"It's very cozy with the curtains," Anastasia says, scooting close to my front. Her nose twitches and then she's burying her face in my armpit. Not my neck or my shoulder, but my man funk. It's so unexpected that my jaw falls open.

Her hand lands on my shoulder as her fingertips dance over my neck. It causes my chest to vibrate with a ragged purr.

My face burns.

I'm pretty sure it's worse than popping an unexpected hard-on. Which is entirely possible if she doesn't stop wiggling her front against mine.

"You stuffed me full of home-cooked food," Ana says, yawning. "And now you're purring? You, Mr. Castro, are going to make some woman very happy one day."

My hand falls to her hip, which is covered by the blanket. I wrap my wrist around her lower back to keep her from moving as she buries her nose even deeper.

"You smell so good," she murmurs. "Like citrus and sexy man."

My heart thunders so violently I'm sure she can feel it pounding away under her cheek, but Anastasia simply snuggles closer and promptly falls asleep.

"Found them." Wolfe's voice breaks me out of a dead sleep.

I blink awake to find Anastasia asleep with her head on my chest and her leg tossed over my pelvis. I vaguely remember pulling my glasses off and setting them aside on the carpet, but I didn't intend to fall asleep.

"Damn." Wolfe whistles softly. "I didn't see that one coming." He tilts his head, staring at Anastasia's ass. "That's a killer view."

"Get fucked," Vik grumbles, shoving Wolfe out of the way. He points at me. "You and I are going to have words tomorrow. I texted you more than twenty times. Fuck. I was about to callin reinforcements. I had no idea where you two disappeared to."

"Hush," I snap. "She's sleeping. Bitch at me tomorrow."

Anastasia snuggles closer to my chest. I feel ten-feet tall as I flip off my packmates and promptly fall back to sleep.

If I didn't realize I was fucked the minute Anastasia complimented my dad's lasagna and then cuddled up to my chest to sleep off the food coma, I definitely see it now.

The urge to chop Chance's body into small pieces comes back in full force as I realize they're dancing. Fucking hell, while I was daydreaming those two got really close.

His hand on her ass flexes, causing her dress to pull up dangerously high. That fucker acts like he doesn't care if he accidentally flashes her ass to half the room.

It's because he doesn't, I realize. I scowl like it's my job, but Chance doesn't mind because he never glances my way.

I'm working up the courage to walk over and cut in on their dance, when Wolfe walks in. The long floppy blond hair on top of his head is darker than normal, like he rushed here after a shower.

My jaw drops open when I spot who's behind him.

Viktor stomps straight for me, and he doesn't look pleased.

Aww, fuck.

Chapter Five

Anastasia