The second he reaches the hallway, I crawl to the edge of the couch and lean way over, watching carefully as he opens the door. Relief washes over me as the voice of an unknown female beta greets Jeremy.
“Get a grip,” I mumble, watching Jeremy chat politely with the woman. He laughs at something she says and smooths hisblack hair behind his ear. He looks so charming and even a little flirty. He’s a very good-looking man.
They all are.
“Get up,” I demand myself. “You have shit to do.”
Letting out a heavy sigh, I stand. The paring knife almost falls down the inside of my pants, but I manage to grab it before it slips too far.
“Okay,” I whisper, scanning the spacious room. “Where the hell can I put you?”
A small, cluttered bookshelf near the table draws my attention. I move to it, scanning the titles printed on the spines. I’m surprised to find that I’ve actually read a few. I guess my mother called them classics for a reason. I can’t help but touch the spine of one of my favorite stories. I know I’m wasting time, but I can’t help it. Linden gave me a copy of this book.
My sweet, wonderful Linden.
I wonder if he’ll forgive me for what I’ve done. I let another man touch me, and I liked it.
I liked ita lot.
Jeremy’s voice rises, almost defensive, as he tells whoever is at the door, “Thank you”.
Shit. I panic.Hurry!
Frantic, I run to the first thing I see that can hold the small knife—a giant, dark green vase. It sits in the far corner of the living room, near the dining room table. It’s about half my size, coming up to my waist. Thin, straight twigs jut out of it, but there’s nothing else. No water or pebbles. Just sticks.What a bizarre thing to own.
I push the knife between the twigs, then release it. It hits the bottom with a loudthunk, and I freeze. I pray to all that is holy no one heard that. When I don’t hear any movement, I stuff the granola bars inside the vase too.
Now, I need to find something to carry water in.
I glance back at the kitchen, positive there’s a bottle of some kind in there.
“What are you doing, sweetheart?” Killian’s deep voice makes me jump as he strolls into the living room. I plaster a smile on my face, then turn to look at him.
Shit.
He looks unbelievable.
Snug jeans hug his thick thighs, and cozy socks cover his feet, but that’s all the alpha is wearing. His chest is stacked with lean muscle glistening with a thin layer of sweat. His dark blond hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, but a few strands fall into his face.
“Hey,” I say as casually as I can, but it’s difficult to think straight around his sweet, deep aroma.
“What are you doing over there?” He moves between the couch and the kitchen island, making his way to me. His hands look so big, hanging at his sides.
“It’s pretty.” I point somewhere behind me, complimenting the view.
Killian frowns as he looks past me. “The vase?”
I spin, then silently curse at myself for pointing at the damn thing. The last thing I need is to bring attention to it. I guess I should be thankful it isn’t see-through. “Yeah.” I turn back to the pack alpha, not sure what to say. “I’ve never seen a vase so big before.” A nervous laugh pushes from my throat and I touch the charm on my necklace.
“I guess.” Killian’s eyes narrow at the dang thing as if seeing it for the first time. “Jeremy picked it.” His dark blue eyes slide to me, and my face heats.
“My family doesn't really have decorations,” I babble, trying to figure out a way to focus on something other than the damn vase. “We only had necessities. But I did help my mother make little throw pillows last year. The fabric was an ugly orange color.It didn’t match the couch, but no one seemed to mind.” I tuck my hands behind my back, feeling very awkward.
“You made a pillow?” Killian’s brows raise as if pleasantly surprised by my talents. “I had no idea you were a seamstress.”
I can’t help but snort. “Not really.” I stare at the floor. This pack is very quick with their compliments. Either they’ve never met someone that can do basic tasks, or they feel sorry for me. It’s probably the second one.
“Will you come upstairs with me?” Killian’s hand comes into view, and I look up. He smiles sweetly when our eyes meet, and a shiver of something wild slips over me. “We have a surprise for you.”
