“Ican’t believe you Drake Valentino’d me to get me to come home with you,” I said with a mouthful of toothpaste to Travis’s reflection in the bathroom mirror.
“Whatever works,” he replied. Or at least that was what I think he said because he was currently flossing.
It was well after 2 a.m. by the time we got to Darkaway Ranch, so it was nice to see that he was as committed to dental hygiene as I was, regardless of the late hour.
Although I would never admit it, when Travis took charge at the villa after the break-in, it was kind of hot. I knew he would stop at nothing to protect me and keep me safe, but hell if I’d ever tellhimthat. The man was cocky enough as it was. Would he have actually carried me out of there if I hadn’t quote/unquote thrown my shit together on time?
I shivered deliciously at the thought.
When we got to the ranch, we’d had to tiptoe through the main part of the Big House with all of my things, including George’s carrier, so as not to awakenany of his family. His suite of rooms was at the far end, down an elevated breezeway. The alpha wing of the house had been his father’s, which was why it was currently under renovation, he’d explained. Plastic from the new mattress was still balled up in one corner, but the massive bed itself had been in his family for generations. The various paint samples stuck to one wall reminded me of the ones I had on my apartment wall, and I realized I hadn’t thought about that place in ages. I shivered—and not in a good way—at the danger that could be awaiting me there.
I spit out my toothpaste and rinsed out the sink. “Although I haven’t finished watching all the seasons, it’s clear that Drake Valentino is a grumpy alpha-hole.”
“Yeah, well, I modeled him after my inner wolf.”
I raised an eyebrow. “He’s a grumpy alpha-hole too?”
He shrugged. “Pretty much. He’s extremely protective of those he lo—cares about—and healwaysgets his way.”
I kept my eyes down and rummaged through one of my bags, not wanting to address the fact that he almost saidloves.Had to be a slip of the tongue. We hadn’t known each other long enough for that. I was fairly certain he’d called memy loveback at the villa too, but it was probably just his way of comforting me during a very stressful time.
But what if he meant it, though? I certainly was developing feelings for him. Was a relationship between us even possible? I mean, he’d given me a memory stone. Was I a fool for even thinking about it? After all, we were from two very different worlds. I had my own life back in Atlanta—well, at one time I had.
I found one of my homemade herbal tea packets. Now, where was I going get a mug and hot water? I padded into the bedroom dominated by that giant bed. Did Travis have a kitchenette somewhere in his suite? I hoped I wouldn’t have to go back to the main part of the house. This place was huge, and I’d most likely get lost in the dark.
Travis came up behind me and slid his hands up my arms. “What do you need?” he murmured, moving my hair aside and kissing the back of my neck. Was he feeling guilty for being an incorrigible jerk a while ago?
Heat rushed through me at his touch. “I like to make myself a cup of tea before bed.”
He reached under my silky pajama top for my breast, gently twisting my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “You do?”
I arched into him, feeling that huge erection of his pressing hard against me. “Yes.” And because I couldn’t just cave to the whims of this man any time he touched me, I forced myself to say, “If I wake up in the middle of the night, I like to sip on cold tea.”
“Is that so?” He slipped his other hand under the waistband of my pajama bottoms and growled when he discovered how wet I was. “I’ll make you a deal.”
Did this maneverstop playing games?
“Get into that bed and wait for me.”
“And?”
“And I’ll go make your damn tea.”
So much for not caving, I thought, licking my lips with anticipation. “Fine. You’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Good girl.” He released me and gave me a pat on the ass. “Oh, and my wolf says you’d better not be wearing those pajamas when I return. You need to be naked in that bed, ready for me.”
I crossed my arms and made a sound of protest. “Is he always this demanding?”
“Only with you, little prey.”
“And what happens if I don’t?” I wanted to know what the consequences were so I could decide whether or not to do what he wanted. Sometimes the punishment was more fun than the crime.
Travis reached for the door then turned back, his wolf-yellow gaze locked onto mine. “I’ll just tear them off and they’ll be ruined.”
It wasn’t lost on me that he saidhewould, not his wolf.
I waited for him naked under his high thread-count sheets. I really liked my silky pajamas with the smiling cactuses, so it was worth it—this time—to do his bidding.
