“Seriously, woman,” Slate says, appearing out of nowhere. “I’m right here.”
Tessa grins. “Yes, you are, Hotshot.” He snags her wrist and pulls her into his arms, and she goes willingly, laughing the entire time. Her laughter is silenced when he kisses her. I feel a tug at my hand and look up into Reid’s dancing eyes.
He cocks his head, and I follow him. I hand Evie the spatula before I leave, and she takes it with a knowing grin. “Don’t listen to your brother,” she whispers.
“Always listen to your brother,” Zane growls from the other room. Reid pulls me out of the kitchen, and I go happily. I really do want to shower and get dressed for the day. The clothes I’m wearing now I threw on after rolling out of bed.
Reid pulls me towards the bathroom and inside. He closes the door a moment later, trapping me inside with him. I raise my eyebrows. “Are you taking Tessa’s comments literally?”
He smiles down at me. “As much as I would enjoy every second of that, no.” I feel my cheeks heat at his words, and I take a breath. He steps around me to start the shower. “I was just getting it warm for you. I’ll grab one of my t-shirts you can throw on until you get to your room and can grab clothes.”
He steps back. “Thanks, Reid.”
His eyes soften as he looks down at me. “You’re welcome. Take your time. It will be a little while before we eat. And if they want to eat before we’re ready, that’s fine.”
“Sounds good.” His eyes stay on my face, and I can’t help my grin. “You have to leave now, so I can get in the shower.”
He takes a deep breath. “I’ll be back.” His voice is deeper than usual, and I’m glad to see I affect him as much as he affectsme. As soon as the door closes behind him, I strip off my sweaty clothes and climb into the shower. I stay under the warm water a little while, even though I’m not cold. The warm water feels good on my achy muscles. Reluctantly, I turn off the water and step out. I wrap my hair in one towel and use the other one to dry off with. I glance at the counter and see one of Reid’s shirts sitting on the counter. Because I’m so tall, it hits about midthigh; but it will be enough to get me to my room. Only, I wasn’t counting on the shifter standing right next to the bathroom door when I open it.
“Do you always linger outside the bathroom when a female is showering?” I ask trying to be funny.
Reid doesn’t crack a smile. “Only when it’s my mate who’s the one showering.”
I smile, but then I take in the tenseness of his shoulders. I step into him, putting my hands on his chest. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I study his face. “Reid?”
“My wolf is just on edge,” he finally admits in a quiet voice.
I frown. “Why?” I glance around the house, making sure I didn’t miss anything.
He steps forward and takes a deep breath, scenting me. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. I’m going to take a shower now; nobody has to wait for me to eat.” Just before he turns away, I reach out and squeeze his hand.
“Everything’s okay.”
He gives me a soft smile. “I know.” And then he disappears into the bathroom. I hear the shower turn on and take that as my cue to leave. I make my way to my room to get dressed in sports’ clothes for the day. I’m excited to play football. I grew up playing football with Reid and Zane and my dad. It will be fun to play today. My stomach growls hungrily when I smell the food fromthe kitchen. I hurry to get ready, braiding my wet hair, before heading back to the kitchen. “Mmm, it smells good in here. What can I do to help?”
“We’re just putting the food on the table,” Evie says, handing me a plate overflowing with chicken sausage. I put it on the table, and my brother grabs a gallon of orange juice from the fridge. I grab a cup and fill it with cold water from the cooler and drain the entire cup. I fill another cup for Reid. I smell him before I see him. He comes around the corner a moment later, looking deliciously sexy in his shorts and t-shirt. He is devastatingly good looking. He gives me a questioning look that shakes me out of my thoughts.
“Hey.”
He steps close and tucks a hair behind my ear. “Hey,” he returns softly.
“Heyyyy,” Quint says, stepping up next to us and completely ruining the moment. I just laugh, and Reid shoves him away.
Chapter 17
Riley
Breakfast is a lively affair. We all spread out around the living room since the table in the kitchen is officially too small for all of us. I end up sitting on the floor against the wall, and Reid joins me. We linger a long time over breakfast, laughing and talking. I don’t know when I’ve had such a good time. “Okay, has it been long enough for everybody’s food to settle?” Zane asks.
Quint jumps to his feet. “Doesn’t matter. We’re getting started. Slate has to leave later, so we’ve got to get to the getting while the getting is good.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” Evie says from her spot on the couch next to Zane.
“It doesn’t have to. It means it’s time to play foooootball.” Quint does a weird dance that we all make fun of. Reid stands and puts a hand out to me, pulling me to my feet easily.
