“Don’t turn decent on me whenI’mtrying to be mad at you.”
Sev didn’t know how to answer that, so he didn’t.Hesimply waited, hoping she’d agree to do what he was asking.
At last,Cassandrablew out a breath and lowered the stirring rod.
“Fine,” she said.“Onehug—one.Andif he starts rubbing me again—or biting me, or licking me, or trying to give me another bath,Iam holding youpersonallyresponsible.”
“That seems fair,”Sevsaid gravely.
“It doesnotseem fair.Nothingabout this seems fair.Butapparently this is my life now.”Shelooked atRavikand pointed a finger at him.“Andyou—no funny business.Imean it.Hugonly.”
Ravik frowned as though he understood only part of that.
“HugMate,” he said.
“Yes.HugMate.”Cassandramuttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, “Godhelp me,” and set the stirring rod down on the counter.Thenshe held her arms awkwardly out at her sides, as though preparing to embrace a very large, very damp tree.“Allright.Comehere,Iguess.”
Ravik moved at once, going to her the minute she permitted it.
Severin stepped closer, every muscle in his body tight and ready.IfRavikgrabbed her too hard or showed any sign of aggression, he would intervene.Hedidn’t know how he would stop a seven-foot-oneBeastKindredin the midst of viral regression, especially without injuringCassandrain the process, butGoddesshelp him, he would find a way.
ButRavikdidn’t grab the curvy little human.Hecame to her slowly—carefully—and leaned down to wrap his huge arms around her luscious body.
Cassandra stiffened as his wet chest pressed against her front, soaking the thin silk of her nightgown at once.Thefabric clung to her breasts and belly, molding to every soft curve in a waySevhad no business noticing and absolutely couldnotseem to stop looking at.Buthe was also carefully watchingRavik’sreaction to the hug.
TheBeastKindredbent his head and his face disappeared in her long, brown hair.Andthen he inhaled…deeply.
The change was immediate.
Severin saw it happen in real time and felt the hair rise along the back of his neck.
Ravik’s shoulders relaxed first—the bunching tension easing out of the massive muscles.Thenhis hands, which had been half-curled againstCassandra’sback, opened fully and spread over her with careful, protective gentleness.Evenbetter, the film in his eyes began to recede, the cloudy white thinning until the gold shone through, bright and unmistakably alive.Heinhaled again and held her more closely to him.
“Mmmmm,” he rumbled—clearly a sound of desire and satisfaction.
Cassandra must have felt the change in theBeastKindredtoo, because she stopped holding herself stiffly and looked up atRavikwith wide eyes.
“Uh…you okay up there?”she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Ravik lifted his head from her hair and looked down at her.Fora moment he said nothing.Thenhe frowned, as though searching through the fog for something he had misplaced.
“My mate is wet,” he said at last.
Cassandra blinked.
“Yes, well, that happens when a naked man fresh out of the bath decides to hug you.”
Ravik glanced down at himself again and then back at her.
“I should have…dried myself first,” he said slowly, haltingly but speaking in completely sentences again.“Idid not mean…to make you uncomfortable.”
Severin’s breath caught and he sawCassandra’smouth drop open.
“Oh,” she said faintly.“Well…thank you.Imean, apology accepted,Iguess.”
Ravik’s gaze moved past her to the counter, where the pot was giving off fragrant steam.Hisexpression sharpened with interest.
“Does my mate need help preparing food?”he asked.“Ican help.Ravikis a good cook when he has proper ingredients.”
