“Sorry, what?” I ask.
She pulls me in closer, wrapping her delicate arms around my neck, her warmth radiating through the space between us. With a firm grip on the back of her thighs, I lift her effortlessly off the bed, and she instinctively curls her legs around my waist. I take a deep breath, letting the intoxicatingscent of her hair mingle with the soft notes of her skin, a captivating blend that draws me further under her spell.
Her laughter dances in my ear, a melodious sound that delights my senses. “I said, Dax is making us all breakfast, and then we’re all heading to the farmers market. They have baby goats this year!” With a playful grin, I spin her around before gently setting her back on her feet. “Baby goats, huh?” I tease, raising an eyebrow. She beams at me, her eyes filled with excitement, and eagerly rushes to her closet, her energy infectious as she disappears behind the door to get dressed.
“You know, Adonis here used to love eating baby goats,” Killian jokes.
Dani gasps, her mouth wide open and her eyes shocked as she peeks from behind the closet door. “You did not!”
Killian and Dax laugh.
“No, I did not,” I lie. That was like... 600 years ago. I give Killian a look, and he smirks.
I can hear Carter groaning faintly from the living room, a low, almost primal noise that sets my teeth on edge. My jaw clenches reflexively. I genuinely like the guy; there’s no denying that. But damn, he’s infatuated with my woman—my mate. All night long, he obsessed over her, longed for her… I know one thing for certain: he loves her, but not as much as I do.
I leave Dani’s room with her, heading into the kitchen.
“Breakfast smells fucking fantastic! I feel like shit,” Jules says as she rubs her sleepy eyes.
Amelia, as vibrant as ever, is dressed to impress. Her outfit is perfectly tailored to exude a sense of spirited confidence. Her long, silvery-white hair is elegantly pinned up in a loose bun. Wisps of hair cascade artfully around her face, framing her big brown eyes.
“I can fix that,” Killian declares with a confident stride, moving towards Jules with purpose. He gently places his hands on her temples, and moments later, Jules’ wide eyesmirror her astonishment as the fog of her hangover lifts, leaving her feeling surprisingly refreshed and clear-headed.
“Good, right?” Dani asks Jules as Dax hands her a cup of black coffee. She smiles at him and then kisses him. “You have three keepers, Dani... I’m jealous,” Jules teases.
“Damn… I haven’t been this hungover since I was in my twenties…” Carter groans as he enters the kitchen, rubbing his temples in a futile attempt to ease the throbbing pain.
Dani grabs another mug and pours coffee in, handing it to Carter. “Here, this will help,” she says, her voice soothing. He smiles at her and takes the coffee.
Stay out of his head. Stay out of his head…I repeat to myself.
She is so perfect… if only she knew how much I loved her. How much my heart beats just for her. I’ve loved her since eighth grade when I realized I felt more strongly for her than just a best friend. And when we kissed in high school… I know it was just a dare, but I can still feel those soft lips—
Fuck!
A surge of sympathy washes over me for the poor bastard and a fierce protectiveness for what belongs to me. In a selfish move, I pull Dani close and kiss her deeply, hoping to make my feelings undeniably clear. I can sense Carter’s discomfort as he deliberately averts his gaze, the tension in the air thickening with unspoken words.
“Poker king!” Killian bellows with infectious enthusiasm as he strides over to Carter. He seizes him by the shoulders, giving him a few hearty squeezes that resonate with camaraderie, but I know exactly what he is doing.
Carter visibly relaxes, the tension in his body melting away like ice in the sun. His facial expression shifts into a perplexed mix of surprise and relief. The remnants of his hangover seem to dissipate, leaving him momentarily speechless. Though he doesn’t voice his thoughts, the transformation is palpable.
“Alright, so we plan to go to the farmers market later this afternoon. I need some honey and maybe a few other things, too. Then… I’m going to the Keepers of the Mist,” Dani announces. Before I can protest, she quickly adds, “Carter, are you coming?”
He scratches the back of his neck. “Actually, yeah, sure. I’m off today, so that sounds nice.” He takes a sip from his coffee and then runs his hand through his blonde hair.
I know Dani is eager for answers from her mother, but I don’t trust Elaine one bit.
Hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits sit on the kitchen counter. We all put our breakfast on our plates.
“Oh my god,” Dani practically moans. Dax and Killian look my way, the three of us smirking. "This is so good, Dax! I didn’t know you could cook.” She takes a bite of her warm biscuit. “I’m good at many things, little dove,” he winks at her, and she bites her bottom lip. Killian shifts in his seat.
After finishing breakfast, I quickly hop in the shower while Killian helps Dax clean up.
The cold droplets cascade over my skin as I step under the stream, sending a shiver down my spine. I brace my arms against the cool tiles of the shower wall, letting the water envelop me, each bead forming a chill that invigorates my senses. I glance at my demonic rune and sigh... Dani’s still hasn’t shaded in, and it’s time I accept that it won’t.
“Room for three more?” Dani asks as she strips down naked, along with Killian and Dax. “Everyone else left. They went home to shower and get ready. We have two hours,” she says, licking her lips as she eye-fucks me.
“I can make room.”
