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She pulled away, even as she smiled. If she stayed in his arms, she’d never finish her cookies, and she wanted to bring something with her to the meeting. “Even with all of that going on, I’m slowly starting to feel like I’m part of you all. Walker, Brynn, and Ryder are very open and welcoming.”
Gideon nodded then picked up the wildflowers. Her heart leapt, and she smiled at him. “I said I would court you, Brie Brentwood.” Her heart beat faster, and she blushed. She reached out and brought the blooms to her nose.
“I love wildflowers. How did you know?”
He shrugged, his gaze lowering. She held back a gasp at the action. Heneverlowered his gaze to another. That this man would do so…she honestly didn’t know what to think.
“You seem like you’d enjoy these more than a hothouse flower.”
“You’re right,” she said, taking another sniff. She could pick up the spicy scent of her mate blended around the flowers, telling her he’d picked these by hand.
She fell just a little more in love.
Dangerous, but inevitable with a man like him.
“They’re beautiful, thank you.” She stood on her toes and kissed his chin. He lowered his head to hers, taking her in an achingly sweet kiss. Their touches were always so explosive, their lovemaking the one thing they always seemed to get right even if the first time had been somewhat awkward.
This kiss, though...this kiss seemed different.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
She put the flowers in a vase Gideon got down for her then let out a breath. “I need to finish baking for the meeting. What are your plans?”
Her mate ran a hand down her hair, the sensation of his touch intoxicating. He was starting to touch her more and more, as if it was ingrained and he was finally allowing himself that small pleasure. She prayed he never stopped.
“I took the afternoon off to take you to the meeting,” he answered.
She opened her mouth to speak, and he shook his head. “I’m not staying for your meeting, little wolf. That’s something you must do on your own. I will be close by with Walker because he needs me for a procedure, but I won’t take over your duties.”
She relaxed, her hands busy with baking. “Thank you. I know it’s not easy, but I can’t have you over my shoulder all the time and still be my own wolf.”
He nodded then started putting the just-baked cookies on a cookie rack. She enjoyed the simple act of him baking with her. Who would have thought the big, bad Alpha of the Talon Pack would help her bake cookies? Of course, she should have thought he’d like it. Her Grandpa Edward had enjoyed baking when Grandma Pat had let him. She and Grandpa had loved cookies, especially the sugar ones. He hadn’t cared that she was a tomboy, roughhousing with Finn and the other boys. He hadn’t cared that her pigtails were never even. He’d loved her because she was his granddaughter—submissive wolf and all.
Gideon gave her an odd look then went back to helping her bake. She licked her lips but didn’t mention it. There was no use embarrassing him when things were going so well. “Why does Walker need you?”
“One of the wolves has a genetic condition that’s rare amongst wolves. It’s not a huge thing, but it affects their blood. Walker can Heal it, but it takes a tremendous amount of energy.”
She nodded, filling up another cookie sheet. “So he’ll use the bond between Healer and Alpha to help?”
“Yes, I’m there as backup in case Walker needs me. Ryder or Mitchell could do it as well, but since Walker’s place is near where you’ll be, it makes sense that I should do it. It won’t weaken me since we’re using the excess power, and it will help a Pack member.”
She smiled at that. “You’re a good Alpha, Gideon.”
He didn’t speak for so long she was sure he’d never answer, but when he did, it was a low growl. “I’m not yet, little wolf. But I will be. One day.”
What must he have gone through to think he wasn’t good enough? Now that she was part of the Pack, she’d help him fix it, but she wasn’t sure how to go about it. Being kept in the dark didn’t aid matters. That would have to change soon if she ever had any hope of helping her mate.
Instead of saying something he’d brush off as a platitude, she kept her tone light, asking questions about his family. She didn’t want to dig too deep—some secrets weren’t meant to be shared—but she wanted to know them through his eyes as well as her own.
By the time they had the last batch on the cooling racks, she had less than an hour to shower and get ready.
Gideon’s eyes darkened, but she shook her head.
“No, if you shower with me, I won’t be able to think, and we’ll be late.”
He growled softly but nodded. “Fine, but I want you to smell like me when you’re there.” Her breath caught. “It will help soothe their wolves,” he added.
She swallowed hard, knowing she shouldn’t have been hurt by the last part. It was the truth, but she’d liked it when she thought he wanted her to smell like him becausehewanted it, not for an actual purpose.
