“Mmm. You’re right. Your dreamy eyes, sexy grin, and eight-pack abs never did it for me. Neither did your rock-size muscles and long, powerful legs.” I failed to mention his fine ass, tight enough to snap twigs, but that was a given. “Are you crazy? How could you not know how bad I wanted you?”
Aric flashed his sexy grin. “Then why didn’t you ask me to spend the night sooner?”
My smile faded. “Because I didn’t know how.”
The humor dissolved from his face. He cuddled me closer. “Now you do,” he whispered.
I guess I did. But the evolution of our relationship brought up other issues. Issues I suddenly didn’t feel so bashful addressing. “I can start taking the pill if you want me to.”
Aric stilled as the aroma of his arousal claimed the air around us. “It would be nice to feel you completely when we make love. But I don’t want to pressure you. I’ll let you make that decision.” He climbed on top of me. I moaned when his lips tickled me across the jawline. “Last night was the best night of my life,” he murmured when he reached my ear.
With that, we made use of our last condom.
CHAPTER 10
My pace slowed as I reached the bottom of the stairs and approached the kitchen. Silence in a house occupied by women yappier than Shih tzus was always a bad sign. Despite the comforting smells of eggs and bacon filling the house, I knew I was doomed before I entered the kitchen.
Shayna bounced with her arms crossed, grinning ear to ear. Her long black ponytail swung behind her like a puppy dog’s tail. Taran sat at the table smiling wickedly as she stirred her tea. Emme waited next to her. I hadn’t even said anything yet, but there she sat, blushing away.
Shayna flung an arm around me and erupted into a fit of giggles. “What’s wrong, dude? Up all night?”
“Apparently he was, too,” Taran added, her siren grin exceptionally wide.
I rubbed at my crimson face. “I guess you heard us.”
“Damn, girl, of course we did.” Taran laughed. “It sounded like you were watching Animal Planet.” She leaned her chin against her palm. “Did you do it as beasts? Please tell me, I must know.”
“Of course not!”
“Well, you could have fooled us.” Shayna affectionately punched my shoulder. “Taran activated a silencing spell around your room so we could get some sleep.” She threw her arms in the air. “It was like you were watching porn—well, the good kind anyway. I swear, Ceel, all you needed was the boom-chooka-boom-boom sound track!”
I rammed a muffin in her mouth when I heard Aric coming down the stairs, knowing he heard her. Good Lord. I put sewing her lips shut on my to-do list. “Zip. It,” I hissed.
Shayna spit out a large piece of muffin in time for Aric to appear. “Hi, Aric,” she and Taran sang.
Aric blushed slightly but walked over to embrace me. He then led us to our large wooden table and pulled me onto his lap when he sat, no doubt so I could shield him from my sisters.
He cleared his throat. “Good morning, ladies.”
“We have breakfast for you guys,” Emme said quietly. She wouldn’t look at us when she brought over our plates. I guessed she feared we’d have sex on the table or something.
I dug into the food, feeling the heat creep into my cheeks. “Where are Koda and Liam?”
The sparkle vanished from Shayna’s grin. “Hunting. They left early this morning.”
My grip tightened around my fork. “Oh?”
Aric finished swallowing and wiped his mouth. “Paul picked up on a trail west of Truckee. They have to cover a thirty-mile radius. Koda and Liam were to relieve them at dawn. Gem and I are taking over at noon.”
“Can I go with you?”
Aric shook his head. “After what happened yesterday, I don’t think it’s a good idea, sweetness.”
I started to protest, but Shayna cut me off. “I was all set to go, too, Ceel. But Koda wouldn’t let me.” She shrugged. “We had our first fight about it.”
Aric leaned back in his chair, keeping his hand tight against my hip. “Shayna, you didn’t see the big guy’s reaction when he heard you scream. He totally lost it and I need his head in the game.” He smiled at her softly. “Try to understand. He doesn’t want to see the woman he loves get hurt.”
Tears welled in Shayna’s beautiful blue eyes. She played with the ties of her tunic. “Koda loves me?”
Aric pushed the eggs around on his plate. “Yeah. He does.”
Shayna rushed to sit on the chair next to him and scooted closer. “Did he tell you that?”
Aric shook his head. “I know him well enough to see it. Look, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m out of line.”