Shadow - Dohner Laurann - Страница 60

“You’re just trying to appear nonthreatening.”

He chuckled and his lips teased the sensitive area just under her earlobe. His hot, wet tongue slid across the same spot. Beauty’s fingers weaved into his hair, holding him there. He squeezed her ass again but slid that hand back to her waist. It was disappointing.

“True, but it wasn’t the only reason. I want you to know you leave me vulnerable.”

She pulled back and so did he until she could see his eyes. Honesty brimmed there as she studied them. “What does that mean?”

“You only want me, right?”

“Yes.”

“No one else?”

“Never.”

A smile curved his lips. “I feel the same. You’re all I want. We have a lot to discuss but for now they are waiting for me in Justice’s office. You don’t want to get me yelled at, do you?” His tone became teasing. “That male is scary when angry.”

“He is.” She smiled back. “Okay. I’ll be good and allow you to leave without delaying you more. Just hurry back.”

He grew somber. “I don’t know how long it will take. I have some things to do.”

“Hours?”

He hesitated. “Perhaps days. I’m not sure. I will be back and we’ll talk.”

“Okay.” She didn’t have any choice and he was promising to return. That’s all she could ask of him for now. “I’ll miss you.” Admitting that put her pride at stake but it was a chance she was willing to take.

“I’ll miss you as well.” He glanced at her breasts. “So much.”

She laughed. “Hurry back to me then.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Shadow? Security just called, asking where you are.” It was Kit, her irritation clear. “Quit playing with the Gift and move your ass.”

Shadow frowned. Beauty clenched her teeth. They regarded each other and she spoke first.

“That woman is a bitch,” she whispered.

“I heard that. Get a move on, Shadow.”

He rose to his feet, releasing her. One look down his body made him utter a soft curse. Beauty followed his gaze and grinned. He’d gone from semi-aroused to full-blown impressive in size. There was no way to hide the state of his body.

He turned, walked to her sink, and turned on water. Beauty watched in fascination as he wet his hands, reached up to the back of his neck, and rubbed.

“What are you doing?”

He shot her a grin. “Attempting to think of something besides you being so close to a bed.” He closed his eyes, repeated the process of wetting the back of his neck and finally turned off the water. His cock wasn’t as hard when he stepped around the counter into view. “Stay inside and I’ll be back as soon as everything is taken care of.”

“Okay.”

She hated to see him go but she held still until he left her apartment. Kit stepped inside when he attempted to close the door. He paused, staring at her, but then walked on when the feline smiled after pointedly staring at his groin.

“Isn’t he cute?” Kit closed the door behind her, leaning against it.

“You can’t have him. He’s mine.” Beauty glared.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. We heard what happened.” Kit stayed where she was. “We almost lost you to the humans.”

“I’m sorry if it disappoints you that it didn’t happen.”

The other woman’s expression blanked then she frowned. “I’m not as bad as you think. I don’t dislike you. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I annoy you. You think I’m weak.” There was no use pretending otherwise. Beauty spoke her mind. “It would probably make your life easier if I had been stolen.”

“That’s not true. Tiny and Halfpint would have wailed and needed constant care if you had been lost.” Kit sighed loudly, straightening away from the door. “I actually like you now. You showed backbone when you stood up to me. I was genuinely worried about you when we got the reports of the attack. I came to see if you wanted to talk to someone or if you just didn’t want to be left alone.”

Surprised at the confession, Beauty took a step closer. “Thank you.”

“I guess I’ll go.” Kit spun, gripping the door handle.

“Kit?”

She glanced back, opening it. “What?”

“I’d like for you to stay.”

The door closed with Kit still inside the apartment. “Okay. You hungry? I am. I just got off shift. They made pizza downstairs. Should I call the kitchen to ask for one to be sent up?”

“That sounds good. I love pizza.”

“With meat, right?” Kit made a face. “They made some with just cheese. Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know.” Beauty smiled. “It is strange, isn’t it?”

“We’re not the vegetarian types. We’re carnivores. Can you imagine handing a lion or a wolf an apple for their dinner? They’d take off your fingers for the insult.”

“True.” Beauty relaxed, liking this side of the usually prickly woman. She didn’t point out that she was primate Species. “I love meat on pizza.”

Kit lifted the phone. “Then we’ll eat some. You can give me all the details of what happened.”

Beauty nodded, glad that she wouldn’t be alone to worry about what could possibly keep Shadow away from her for days.

Shadow grabbed a quick shower at the dorm and wore his NSO uniform to the meeting. He was almost an hour late when he arrived. Fury, Slade, Justice and Brass were eating pizza when he entered.

“There he is.” Justice arched an eyebrow. “Finally.”

“I showered and changed.” Shadow shrugged. “I apologize.”

“We decided to eat.” Fury waved to the food. “Want some? Ellie made a few extra for me to share.” He grinned at Justice. “She also wants two additional ovens added at the dorm’s main kitchen. They are cooking more instead of eating at the cafeteria.”

“Four aren’t enough? Plus they have the ones inside their apartments.” Slade frowned.

“Females enjoying cooking together in a group. It’s a good way to bond.” Fury glanced around. “She wants them. Let her have them.” He narrowed his gaze at Justice. “Don’t say no. It would disappoint my Ellie and make her unhappy. She will call Jessie and then your mate will be unhappy.”

Justice chuckled. “My mate is sexy when she’s angry but the females can have the ovens. It’s not much to ask.” He picked up a pen and scribbled on a tablet. “Note made. It will be taken care of.”

Slade nodded. “Two ovens is far cheaper than what we just spent on updating the gym equipment inside the men’s dorm.”

“We do tend to break shit easily.” Brass shoved a few slices of heavily loaded pizza onto a paper plate and passed it to Shadow. “Sit. I’ll grab you a soda from Justice’s fridge.”

Shadow sat, using part of the large desk as a table. The relaxed attitude of the room was welcome. He’d expected anger after making them wait. He’d taken a bite when the meeting officially began.

“Breeze called in the details of what happened at the cabin,” Justice informed him. “She was stuck at Medical so we held a conference call with her. What took place in the woods after you left her?”

“Is Breeze well?”

Fury nodded. “She doesn’t like being kept for a few days but young Dr. Harris insisted she be given the healing drugs. It will lessen the chance of her scarring from the wound. They need to keep an eye on her while she’s on them. Males aren’t the only ones to grow aggressive. I am almost glad she’s there instead of here. I’d hate to be her nurse.”

Brass laughed, handing a drink to Shadow before he took a seat on the couch. “Better them than us. She’s a wonderful female but I feel bad for Destiny. Breeze will make him miserable just to stay amused.”

Fury chuckled. “Obsidian didn’t want him anywhere near his mate after what happened.”

“What happened?” Shadow glanced around the room.

“Would you want another male around your female if he made it clear he wanted her too?”

Enough said. “Understood.” Shadow opened and sipped the soda. “I tracked the humans down after I left the cabin. They’d treed Beauty after taking her from the bedroom upstairs. I removed their weapons and they were arrested.”