Shayna’s footsteps silenced him instantly. By the way her soles scraped against the thick white carpet, I knew she hadn’t bothered with shoes or socks. She walked down the back stairs with her arms circled around her body, seemingly heartbroken. It wasn’t until she caught sight of Koda that the usual skip to her step returned. Her ponytail flicked behind her as she wrapped her pencil-thin arms around Koda’s gigantic shoulders.
She kissed his cheek. “I was worried you’d left, puppy.”
A deep shade of red erupted from Koda’s neck to his face. But I didn’t think it was because she’d called him “puppy.” I gave him my best “I told you so” expression, but decided to spare the big guy from further humiliation. After all, I did belt him in the schnoz.
I pointed to his plate. “Koda was hungry.”
Shayna swept a section of his long black mane over his shoulder. “Why didn’t you wake me? I would have made you something.”
I could almost see Koda’s inner wolf panting back excitedly. He pulled her onto his lap and cupped her face. “I didn’t want to bother you, baby.”
I left the table to pile food on my plate the moment their lips met…and nearly jumped out of my skin when Liam appeared. Naked.
“Can I have some sausage?”
I shoved my plate in his hands. “Here. Take mine.” I turned my back on him and concentrated hard on mixing more batter.
“Why is your face all red, Celia? You hot or something?”
“Liam,” Koda growled. “Go put on some clothes.”
Liam spoke between chews. “Why? It’s warm in here.”
“Because the girls weren’t raised among beings that are frequently naked.”
Understanding spread across Liam’s boyish features. He shook his head. “Celia, you have to get over your modesty. The body is a gift. Here, take off your clothes so you can see how freeing—”
I threw my spatula in the sink. “Go upstairs, Liam. And don’t come back down until you put on some damn pants!”
Liam frowned. “But what about Emme? She’s probably hungry, too. We’ve been making love all night and—”
I threw more food on a plate and pointed up the stairs.
Liam kissed the top of my head. “Thanks, Celia. You’re a good egg.” He stopped at the base of the stairs. “Still, do yourself a favor and take off your clothes sometime. It’s quite refreshing.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’ll take your word for it, Liam.”
Shayna buried her face in Koda’s chest, laughing. When she finally calmed down I placed a plate in front of her. She and Koda ate together, feeding each other from time to time. Koda had seconds, then thirds in the time it took Shayna to finish her first meal. He frowned at her. “Aren’t you going to eat more, baby?”
She grinned. “I don’t have Celia’s metabolism. Trust me, this is more than enough.” That’s when she noticed I didn’t have a plate in front of me. “You’re not eating, dude?”
I sipped on my tea. “I’m not really hungry.” It wasn’t a lie. Preparing the food had been more therapeutic than a desire to eat.
“But you made all this food.”
“I’ll have something after my run.”
They rose together and started to pick up their plates. I took the dishes out of their hands. “I got it.”
Shayna watched me. She knew I was upset and probably needed the distraction. “Okay, Celia. If that’s what you want.”
Koda leaned into her, placing his arm around her and pulling her close. I nibbled on my bottom lip. “Yeah. It’s what I want.”
Shayna wrapped her arms around Koda’s waist and grinned. “Do you want to go back upstairs?”
Koda kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right behind you.” He watched her walk up the back stairs until she disappeared. “I’m not good at saying thank-you, Celia, but…thank you.”
I smiled weakly. “You’re welcome.” I stopped him when he headed toward the steps. “Koda…just be good to her. Okay?”
Koda nodded, his tumultuous dark eyes probably seeing a lot more of my sadness than I wished. “I owe you. Big-time.”
I gathered the dishes quickly. Another few moments passed before I heard his large feet amble up the stairs.
The doorbell rang a few minutes later just as the shower went on in Emme and Shayna’s bathroom. I tossed the dish cloth I was using to wipe down the table into the sink. It was only seven in the morning. I hurried to the door before the bell woke Taran, and just about died when those brown eyes I adored blinked back at me through the glass pane. My hands shook as I unlocked the bolt and turned the knob, sadness dissolving my resentment. God, it hurt to see him, knowing he couldn’t be mine.