Chapter 24 #2
And that right there was why he wasn’t allowed out to play. Not until I knew that mating was something Reid wanted.
I didn’t bother questioning whether it was something I wanted. My instincts told me Reid was the one for me. My wolf agreed. Call me stupid, call me crazy, but sometimes you just knew. And I did. I think I’d known for a while.
Reid was my mate. We didn’t need a bond to confirm that. I felt as certain of that as I did my place in this clan.
I just needed to win Reid over. To soothe his fears and show him he could be happy here. A midafternoon nap was a start, but I had more tricks up my sleeve. For that, we’d need to leave this cosy bed and go downstairs.
Honestly, it was only knowing this would be good for Reid that had me letting him go.
In other circumstances, I’d be content cuddling up with him forever.
I made a vow then that one day, once all this bullshit with the Clarksons was dealt with, Reid and I would spend an entire weekend in bed.
Just cuddling, if that was all he wanted.
Nothing could make me happier.
“Do we have to get up?” Reid pouted. “Your bed is so comfy.”
Goddamn, he was cute. Knowing my willpower was near zero where he was concerned, I jumped up fast and tugged on my T-shirt. “My bed? Or my chest? Because that’s where you actually slept.”
He ducked his head shyly, but not fast enough for me to miss his smile. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”
I leant forwards to touch his chin, forcing him to look at me. “Sweetheart, you won’t ever hear me complaining about you touching me. Consider my chest your personal pillow. Or any other part of my body that happens to take your fancy, for that matter.”
Interest flared on his face as his gaze dipped south. “Maybe I need a sleep aid. Something to suck on to help me rest.”
“Jesus.” I reached into my joggers to grab my suddenly aching cock, trapping my erection under my waistband. “Okay, so we’ll definitely be doing that later.”
His pout grew deeper. “Why not now?”
“Because my parents are downstairs, and from the smells coming from the kitchen, dinner’s ready.”
Reid bolted upright, leaping out of bed and combing his fingers through his hair. “Shit, we shouldn’t have slept so long. Your parents must think I’m so lazy. What kind of guest takes a nap on their first day?”
I snagged him around his waist and tugged him flush against me. “The kind who’s exhausted, and who’s been through a traumatic event recently.”
“I’m sorry.” He dropped his forehead against my chest. “You must hate that I assume the worst.”
“Not at all. It makes sense given you don’t have anything to compare it against. But that’s the whole point of this experiment—to give you a different experience so your brain doesn’t jump straight to the worst-case scenario.”
He grinned up at me wryly. “Not sure having something to compare to will stop that. I do love a bit of catastrophising. Keeps you young.”
I chuckled. “Don’t worry, there’s always something to worry about round here. For now, how about we go down and see what Ma’s prepared?”
“Okay.” Reid stepped back, exhaling slowly. “How do I look?”
Like mine.
That wasn’t what he was asking. Clearing my throat, I swept my gaze over him. His hair was a little askew, and his clothes looked like they’d been slept in, but none of that mattered. Not when the shadows under his eyes were lighter and his cheeks were flushed with colour.
“Rested,” I said eventually.
Eyes narrowing, he turned to face the mirror, making a moue of dismay. “I should change.”
I wanted to insist he was fine. That Ma had seen him in nothing but my hoody and a pair of boxers this morning.
I didn’t though. Reid’s comfort was more important than proving my parents wouldn’t care. “If you like, sweetheart. I tell you what, why don’t I go down and let them know you’ll be a few minutes?”
Visible relief appeared on his face. “Are ye sure? Will they not mind waiting?”
“Not at all.” I smiled. “It’s not like we agreed on a time or anything. You take as long as ye need. Have another shower too, if you like. I know that always makes me feel more refreshed after sleeping.”
I went to leave, but Reid’s small hand wrapped around my wrist. “Thank you, Ev.”
I frowned down at him. “For what?”
He shrugged, biting his lip. “Just for being you, I guess. I appreciate it.”
My heart swelled in my chest as I thumbed his lip from between his teeth. I didn’t question my instincts, just lowered my head and kissed him lightly. “Well, that’s one thing you can always count on me to be.”
I was still riding the high of Reid’s words as I descended the stairs two at a time. “Hello, life givers!”
Ma and Pa shot out of the kitchen like bullets, both their faces falling when they spotted me. Ma full-on sulked. “Oh, it’s just you.”
“Aw, you have a new favourite already? Typical.” I grabbed her by the waist and spun her around. “Always looking to replace me.”
I could barely contain my glee at the situation. Reid was in my home. About to have dinner with my parents. He’d just slept on my chest before letting me kiss him.
All of those things made me happier than the fact that we’d also had sex earlier. Don’t get me wrong, sex with Reid was wonderful. Transcendent, really. But it didn’t make me as happy as having him in my space, knowing he was giving us a chance.
“Put me down, ye numpty,” Ma scolded, whacking me on the back. “I spent ages doing my hair.”
I returned her to her feet, warmth filling me at the sight of her carefully pinned curls. “And ye look beautiful, Ma.”
“She always does,” Pa said, putting his arm around her and kissing her cheek in a move I’d seen a million times growing up. He’d also made an effort, swapping out his usual flannel shirt for a crisp blue one and even attempting to tame his unruly locks. “My mate is always perfect.”
Ma winked at me. “He didn’t say that earlier when I burned the first beef Wellington and made him go back to the butcher’s for another fillet.”
My mouth immediately started to water as I trailed after her into the kitchen.
Ma’s beef Wellington was legendary, even outside the clan.
It wasn’t the English version; it was far superior.
Instead of using paté, Ma wrapped the meat in haggis and black pudding.
“Oh my god, you’re pulling out all the stops to win him over. ”
“Can ye blame me? First time my son brings someone home, and he expects me not to make an effort? Yer lucky I didn’t roll out a red carpet and bully Hamish and Brodie into playing the part of waiters.”
I snorted, leaning against the side. “God, could ye imagine? They’d bitch so much you’d need to tape their mouths up.”
“I have plenty of duct tape.” Ma peered into the oven. “It’s cooked to perfection, but if Reid isn’t ready, it’ll happily sit for a bit.”
“He won’t be long,” I assured her. “He just wanted to make himself presentable.”
Lines appeared on Ma’s smooth forehead as she frowned. “He didn’t need to worry about that. We’re just happy he’s here.”
I raised a brow, gesturing at Pa as he stepped into the kitchen. “I’ll point out that neither of ye usually look this polished.”
Ma tutted as she checked the potatoes. “That’s different. We need to impress the lad.”
“And ye think he doesn’t need to impress ye?”
“Course he doesn’t.” Ma looked genuinely perplexed. “Why would he need to?”
Above my head, I heard the floorboards creak as Reid made his way towards the stairs. I dropped my voice low. “Reid grew up being made to feel inferior to shifters.”
Pa stiffened. “We know, Son. But we’d never make him feel like that.”
“I know that,” I whispered, speaking fast as Reid hit the top step. “But Reid doesn’t. Besides, even if we take that out of the equation, he’s still meeting my parents. It’s a big moment.”
My words died on my tongue. Was it a big moment? Sure, it was for me, but we weren’t together. Reid was pretty determined that we never would be.
Not in the way I wanted.
Just then, Ma tapped my chest. “Aye, Ev. It is a big moment. With how your wolf has been behaving, it’s obvious Reid is going to be a part of this family.”
I wanted to tell her she was wrong. That, as much as I wanted that, I wasn’t sure Reid ever would.
But there was no time. Reid was almost at the bottom of the stairs.
Oblivious to my freak-out, Ma shot a megawatt smile at Pa. “Come on, Jameson. Let’s go win this sweet boy over.”