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Saylor
Fuck, sometimes you just need a hug.
Elijah gives the best ones. He wraps you up. My legs lay off the side of his lap. One of his arms is low around my hips, the other runs up my back until his hand is threaded in my hair, cupping the back of my head, tucking my face into his neck.
His face is buried in my hair. I’m bound completely.
I hate what he went through. I’m pissed at all of them. I wish I could go back and be there for him.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” I say into his neck.
“I could have handled it differently.” He rubs his lips over my head. “Looking back, I think I liked her attention at first. If I would have done something sooner. I could have encouraged Silas to tell her how he felt or got them together more.”
“We can’t think about the ‘what if’s’.”
“So easy to say, huh,” he mutters.
“It is,” I agree.
I sigh and enjoy his warmth. The falling sun leaves us in the shadows. There is a chill in the air but I don’t feel it. My body registers the lowering temperature but adjusts to it quickly. Our animals can survive in all kinds of weather. We prefer the warmer weather. There is no feeling quite like sunning in the summer in our cheetah form.
I miss shifting. It’s been way too long since I did. My cheetah chuffs in my head in agreement.
“Will you run with me soon?” I ask.
“I would love to.” He pulls back. “But, right now, I should feed you. Unfortunately, I haven’t gone to the store yet.” He pinches my chin, tipping my head back. “Will you go eat with me?”
“Elijah, I have nothing to wear. I would love to continue to wear your clothes because they are comfortable, but I need some that fit.” Plus, they smell like him.
He closes his eyes and opens them and they are filled with reluctance. “I know someone who is your size. Well, before she got pregnant. Now all she wears are her mate’s clothes. I would call the dragons but they are busy tonight.” He lifts me from his lap and stands. “I have to call Ryker. You can borrow some of Serenity’s clothes until we can buy you more.”
“You don’t have to do that. I understand why you are uneasy around them.”
“I’m getting used to them. Besides, since meeting Ryker and Bash, I’ve seen a different side to vampires. I have to remember not to judge their species by one who was cruel.”
“If you are sure?”
“I am. I’ll call them.” He pulls out his phone.
“Alright. I’m going to jump in the shower.” As much as I like smelling like him, a girl has her limits. Going out to eat around strangers with his come mixed with mine, is mine.
“I’ll leave them on the bed.”
“That fast?”
“Ryker is super fast. He will probably be overjoyed to be able to go for a run,” he snorts.
When I walk back into the bedroom in a towel, the clothes are laying on the bed. I like Serenity’s style. A pair of dark-wash, skinny jeans and a black tank top are folded neatly on top of the covers. At the end of the bed on the floor are a pair of combat boots—black, of course.
I dig out my emergency pair of underwear. You know the pair that is the last resort. They are either too big, very ugly, or the pair that are super uncomfortable. Unfortunately, my pair is the third option. They go up my ass. No one likes a permanent wedgie. I thought I would try a different cut and have regretted it.
I snort as I tug the jeans up my legs. I have to lay on the bed to button them—guys have no idea about women's sizes. I stand stiffy and shake out my hand, my thumb throbbing. The damn button was tricky. Thank god for stretchy material. I have a little extra love padding on my ass and stomach. Serenity is at least a cup size smaller than me too, so the tank fits tight. I throw on one of Elijah’s shirts over it and tie it at the waist.
I brush my hair, slap on some powder and lip gloss. There have been many times I wish I had the money to buy more makeup to experiment, but it definitely wasn’t a priority. I love my skin, though. I’m lucky. I don’t get many blemishes. I believe being a fast-healing shifter helps.
“I’m ready,” I announce, leaving the room.
“You look yummy,” Elijah says. He stops close. “I have good news and bad news.”
