What was it with me hiding in linen closets lately?
At least they smelled like fabric softener and cotton, making them a tolerable place to escape detection.
And while Conrad was in here with me, this one smelled like autumn leaves. I inhaled deeply, leaning into his chest.
Voices grew closer outside before beginning to retreat again. It didn’t sound like we’d been caught.
Thank goodness. I really wanted that ice cream, but more than that I wanted a hint of normalcy. I thought coming home would give me that, but of course my asshole scent match had managed to infiltrate my haven.
“Think they’re gone,” Conrad grunted.
“Me too.”
He fumbled behind him for the doorknob. We backed out of the linen closet into the hall and glanced around. No one was in sight.
Conrad let out a huge, relieved sigh. “That was fucking close. Let’s get that ice cream and get back to your room. Please? So I’m not risking death out here?”
Laughing, I dragged him down the hall and down a back staircase. Saying he was risking death was being a bit dramatic.
We made it downstairs and through the back garden without seeing another member of my family, only a few staff members doing their duties. I took us on a roundabout path along the edges of the property to the staffed front gate.
The guards were questioning our ice cream delivery guy when we arrived, but we were able to save him from further harassment by taking our milkshake sundaes and sending him on his way.
Then we fled the front gate, just in case my fathers were on their way to check on the unexpected delivery.
Spooning a big scoop of milkshake ice cream into my mouth as we walked, I spilled it down my chin. “Shit,” I gasped. “Oops.”
Conrad stopped in front of me, holding his own ice cream in one hand and using his other to wipe the mess off my face. He licked the ice cream from his fingers, and my core tightened.
He wasreallygood at licking things and making it look sexy as hell.
“Don’t get too aroused, now,” Conrad murmured.
I shoved another spoonful of melty deliciousness into my mouth with pink cheeks. He laughed, digging his spoon into my sundae and stealing a bite.
“Fuck, these things are good. It’s so melty, but there’s something about it.”
“Right? I knew you would get it.”
I stole some of his too. He’d gotten strawberry ice cream drenched in a blueberry milkshake, with strawberry sauce and small pieces of various freeze-dried fruits. I’d stick with my pistachio, but had to admit his was pretty damn good.
Continuing down the path, we raced the melting ice cream, trying to consume it while it was still in that ideal, partially melted state. I’d just started breaking the waffle cone with my spoon when someone stepped out in front of us, shadowed and backlit by the sun.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
TALIA
For one terrifying second, I thought it was someone sent by Benjamin to kidnap me.
Then, I inhaled.
Sandalwood and brown sugar.
My entire body relaxed, and I stepped closer to find my alpha staring sternly down at me, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I thought you knew not to leave the room.” Mercer looked between me and his packmate.
