The man was one shock after another. First, with the way he’d handled three full-grown shifters, then the fact he was still alive and talking while being bitten, and now as I stared at the million-dollar spread. Kellen and Xan were going to flip their collective lids.
“I’m so in deep shit.”
Rowan turned his head. “I’ll protect you.” His tongue peeked out and licked his lips; teeth sharper than normal appeared.
Shivers raced down my spine at the thought of him placing his canines in my throat, or anywhere on my body. I’d heard mated pairs talk about the eroticism of having their mate bite them during sex. I’d love to wear his marks and wondered if he’d want mine. My own teeth ached to grow. The bite I’d given him had been to erase the other pack’s venom—a mating mark was a whole other ball game. I didn’t want to push on him, even though my wolf was chomping at me.
“What the hell do you do, Rowan?”
The tree-lined drive was lit up with security lights, but the most breathtaking view came from the wraparound porch. Several wooden rocking chairs with tables between them sat invitingly on one half, while a huge swing hung on the other side.
“Pull up in front. We’ll worry about putting this in the garage tomorrow.” He sounded exhausted, and I felt guilty for putting him in that position.
“What about my bike?” I never left Pixie out in the elements.
“Shit, I forgot about that. Keep going around to the back.”
I did as he instructed. The rear of the property was every bit as impressive as the front, with a four-car attached garage. From the middle of the console, he pulled a controller and pointed it at the big bay doors. As they opened, I stared slack-jawed at what all he had inside. The boys at the MC would definitely want to come over and play with his toys. If they didn’t kill him first.
“Ease in beside the Lexus.” His voice came out in a rough whisper.
Thank gawd there was only one open space big enough for his truck. Like I knew what the fuck a Lexus looked like. I was completely out of my league.
With a nod, I coasted Rowan’s truck inside.
I was so fucked.
I had felt Lyric pulling away from me when we’d driven onto my property. I was puzzled by her actions since most women couldn’t wait to explore and put their stamp on my home. I wanted to reach over and reassure her, wanted to take her into my arms and tell her everything was going to be fine, but my insides felt like they were on fire. My skin ached from my fingers to my toes. Hell, even my ears hurt. The lights spilling in through the windshield felt like ten thousand watts burning straight into my retinas.
The doors shut down with another press of my finger to the opener. Before I tried to get out on my own, Lyric was there to help me down. Much to my consternation, I needed the extra help. “Thank you. I swear I’m not usually so needy.” I groaned.
Her scent tickled my nose. Sweet strawberries dipped in sin. I loved strawberries covered in whipped cream. Imagining her spread before me, ripe like the sweetest berries, dripping with her own cream, had me pressing her against the side of my truck. “You smell so damn good,” I growled.
“Inside, big guy. Let’s go.” She raised her hands to press against my chest.
I wanted to protest going anywhere that didn’t include me in her, until another round of pain hit me. I swallowed the bile trying to rise in my throat and took a step away from the delectable scent of Lyric. The last thing I wanted to do was cause her injury if I lashed out in a moment of weakness. I listened as Lyric gave a brief outline of what to expect. The story sounded like something straight out of Hollywood, but I’d seen the truth for myself. Now, with agony lighting up my insides, I was sure either death was upon me or she was telling the truth.
“Follow me. I’ll show you to a guest suite, and then you should probably lock yourself in for the night.” My words came out less clear than I liked, but I held my head up and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. I placed my hand in front of the scanner to gain access to my home, then remembered I had Lyric with me. “Put your palm here.” I grabbed her tiny wrist and placed her palm on the screen. A few adjustments, and my system now recognizes her palm print as well.
“What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I’m thinking I may be out of it, right?” At her nod, I continued. “Now you can open the doors without alerting the security company to an intruder.”
Lyric rubbed her hands together but didn’t say another word. I wasn’t sure I had it in me to explain further. Hell, I wasn’t sure what to expect other than I was going to be turning furry shortly, and if I survived the change, I could still be killed by Lyric’s pack.
“You’re not going through this alone, Rowan.” Her soft hand on my back burned through my flannel.
It took everything in me to continue walking, lights coming on as we entered the kitchen. What did she want me to say? I was raised to protect women and children, not place one directly in harm’s way, and the way I was feeling, I was sure she was in danger. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, darlin’.”
“Quit calling me that. My name is Lyric. Not darlin’, sweetheart, or any other bullshit name you call some nameless, faceless woman,” Lyric growled.
I spun at the challenge in her tone, seeing the glowing amber eyes staring back at me. “Lyric.” Her name sounded right rolling off my tongue. “No matter what I call you, the name doesn’t matter. All I can seem to focus on is your scent. What did you do? Roll around in a vat of strawberries?”
I watched her expression go from angry, to wary, to alarmed in a matter of seconds.
Her hands rested on the countertop. “Shit, this is happening faster than I’ve ever heard of before.”
Lyric put the large granite surface between us, and in my head, I calculated how quickly I could eliminate the space. “I’m going to go shower. You can…make yourself at home,” I said.
