Page 26 of This Reckless Home

But it’s too late. He definitely saw.

Across the kitchen Steele moves, and I watch as his lips curve into the smallest, most satisfied smile. He’s enjoying this, the bloody arsehole!

Like a magnet, I hone in on Anatole, seeing his gaze snap to my neck again, then to Steele, then back to me. Understanding dawns in those all seeing blue eyes, followed by something dark and hungry that I’m sure has nothing to do with breakfast. My stomach flips.

“It’s nothing,” I repeat, turning back to Nox. “Just…I, uh, scratched myself.”

Tina snorts into her tea across the counter. I narrow my eyes at her.

“With what?” Nox asks, pushing off the counter next to me and stalking closer. So close that his scent of rain on pavement, coconut and coffee fills my nose. “A vacuum cleaner?”

I suck my lips in at the same time Steele gives a warning rumble. “Nox.”

Nox stops, but his eyes don’t leave my neck. “So, that’s how it is.”

It’s not a question, and something in my chest squeezes at the hint of defeat in his tone. Like he expected this. Like he always expects to be the one left standing outside the door.

Luckily the rest of breakfast goes by without anyone else making any comments, but the tension that is suddenly between the three of us is thick enough to cut with a knife. The kids all finish, helping to clear their plates then rushing off to get ready even though Family Day doesn’t start until after lunch.

I’m putting the pancake toppings back in the larder when the air behind me shifts, Anatole’s scent of cedar and coffee surrounding me.

“Bloom.”

My hand trembles as I place the syrup on the shelf, then slowly turn around to find he’s cornered me and we’re alone in the kitchen. That piece of his hair is falling over one eye again, and my hand twitches, wanting to push it back.

“Y-yes, Anatole?”

His gaze drops to my neck, even though I know the marks are hidden again. I’m frozen as he reaches out, his fingers brushing the collar and scarf aside, a shiver cascading down from his touch.

“Steele?”

There’s no point in lying. “Yes.”

His nostrils flare, and he takes a step closer, stealing the air from around us. His fingers brush over the mark, and it takes all my self control not to moan.

“And you wanted him to?”

I blink. Is that a hint of protectiveness in his tone? For me? “Yes. Very much. I…” I lick my dry lips, his eyes flicking up to catch the movement. “I enjoyed it. A lot.”

His pupils blow and I swear there really is no air left for me to breathe, even if I could.

“Good.” His voice is rough, and now it feels like the temperature has raised a few degrees. “That’s…good.”

“Is it?” I whisper, remembering what Steele said, about how his brothers would go wild when they saw the marks. His hint they’d want to leave some of their own.

“Yeah, Bloom.” For a second, a mere moment, his hand encases my throat, and my brain short circuits, but he pulls it away and I wonder if I just imagined it. “It is.”

Then he’s gone, and I’m watching his broad back as he stalks away, leaving me breathless and leaning against the doorway.

CHAPTER TEN

“DANGEROUS” BY SLEEP TOKEN

ANATOLE

My fingers burn as I walk away from her, something I needed to do otherwise I’d have kept my hand as her personal necklace as I fucked her up against the pantry door, leaving marks of my own.

Shit.