Chapter 4 #2
“Well, I certainly see why you braved the weather. I’ll make sure you make it to Lurton safely,” Eddie said. She turned around and went back to the oatmeal. It had thickened up perfectly and was ready. She used a skillet to toast their bread. “Brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter for your oatmeal?”
“How’d you know?” Liana gasped.
Eddie smiled and shrugged while she flipped the bread over. “That’s how I take mine.” She chuckled. She took the toast off the skillet and placed it on a dish and turned off the gas.
“Here, I can get the bowls. Where are they?”
Eddie turned back and found Liana already carefully making her way to the cabinets. She began opening them one by one until she found them. Eddie folded her arms in front of her and stared at her.
Liana turned back around with two bowls in her arms. “What?”
“You are supposed to be—never mind.” Eddie shook her head. This woman just refused to allow her to take care of her. She moved over to her and took the bowls from her. “You are impossible.”
There was no harshness to her words. They shared a look before Liana glanced away. Liana had balanced herself on her good leg. Eddie’s free hand went out and rested on her waist to hold her steady.
“I know. You’ll get used to it,” Liana said softly. Her eyes flicked back to Eddie’s.
Eddie set the two bowls down so she could lift and carry Liana back to her chair, but something in Liana’s eyes gave her pause. The tension between them sizzled. Liana leaned forward and pressed her lips to Eddie’s.
Eddie’s heart slammed in her chest. This kiss was heated, desperate even, and charged with an earth-shattering desire.
Liana’s hands slipped upward to her hair and pulled the tie free.
They entwined themselves in Eddie’s dark tresses.
Eddie held Liana to her while she took over the kiss.
It was in her nature to lead, and with Liana, she would always be the one to take control.
Her bear paced beneath her skin as the kiss deepened.
Eddie spun them around so Liana was trapped between the counter and her.
Her hands traveled down the length of Liana until they rested on her ample ass. It was soft and plump. Even Eddie’s larger hands couldn’t hold all it in her palm. She loved a woman who had curves and a nice ass. The two of them fit perfectly together.
Eddie pulled back just enough, her breaths coming hard. The scent of Liana’s arousal permeated the air. As much as she wanted to continue this, they couldn’t.
Liana is injured. Not yet.
Liana’s lips were swollen, and it took everything Eddie had to not plunder them again. They were sweet and addicting. She inhaled sharply and combed her fingers through her hair.
“I’m supposed to be feeding you,” Eddie said. She cleared her throat after hearing the huskiness that had taken over. She kept her hand on Liana’s waist and helped guide her back to the chair.
“I just really wanted to kiss you again,” Liana murmured.
Eddie paused next to Liana. Her hands slid down from her waist and rested on her knees.
“Well, I’m glad you did. Now let me feed you.
” Unable to resist, she placed a gentle, chaste kiss on Liana’s lips.
She backed away before she did something she would regret later.
She spun around and snagged the bowls from where she’d left them.
She quickly fixed their oatmeal and toast. She set everything out on the island.
She grabbed everything they would need before she took the seat next to Liana.
They ate their meal in a comfortable silence that was lined with sexual tension.
Eddie’s bear continued to pace back and forth, occasionally butting her head against Eddie’s chest. Eddie glanced over at Liana and took in her few strands of hair that had sprung from her braids.
It rested along her cheek, ignored while Liana ate.
“This is so good,” Liana murmured. She took another bite of her toast that she had slathered with strawberry jam. A small moan escaped her as she continued to eat.
Mine. All mine.
Her bear slowly calmed down. They were attending to their mate, and she was loving the food that Eddie had prepared. Her bear settled down and continued to watch Liana. For now, Eddie’s beast grew silent.
Eddie turned back to her bowl and dove right in. She had a lot to do today now that the storm had blown over, and she would need her energy.
Eddie assisted Liana back toward the couch with one arm braced around her waist to keep her balanced.
The stubborn woman tried to hide the slight limp in her step while her jaw was tight with determination.
Eddie felt every wobble she tried to hide.
Her bear growled low, urging her to lift and carry Liana.
She ignored it. Liana was determined to walk.
“Easy,” Eddie murmured. She guided her down on to the sofa. “You’re putting too much weight on that ankle.”
“I’m trying not to,” Liana muttered. She winced and settled onto the cushion.
Eddie crouched in front of her. She unwound the makeshift brace she’d tied last night. The moment the bandage loosened, the faint swelling around the joint was revealed. It wasn’t bad, considering Liana had been in a car accident, but enough to worry her.
“You’re lucky it’s just sprained,” Eddie said. She gently prodded the swollen area. “We could have been dealing with a fracture.”
Eddie continued assessing Liana’s ankle.
She tried to ignore how cute Liana’s toes looked with their pink polish, or how small her feet appeared to be.
She traced along the outer edge of the ankle to check for tenderness.
Had the wrap been too tight? She didn’t think so, but she would ensure she did better next time.
Liana’s breath hitched, barely audible, but Eddie caught everything.
Even the way Liana’s heart rate skyrocketed.
“There is some slight bruising, but that will fade with time. Other than that, it looks good,” Eddie admitted.
“I’m a fast healer,” Liana said.
“Oh, you’ve broken bones and sprained ankles before?” Eddie arched an eyebrow at her and watched Liana. A smile played on her lips when Liana tried to hide a laugh behind a cough.
“No.” Liana rolled her eyes and turned away, but not before Eddie caught her smile.
Eddie rewrapped the ankle with steady hands. Once she was satisfied that Liana’s ankle was secured and the material wasn’t too tight, she twisted Liana’s body around so she could rest her feet on the couch. She stood and snagged a pillow and placed it underneath Liana’s foot.
“Elevate and rest,” Eddie ordered.
“Like, all day?” Liana blinked at her. She scrunched up her face and shook her head. “And do what on the couch? Just sit here and look pretty?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Eddie murmured. She could stare at Liana all day and never tire of her beauty. She blew out a deep breath; she had work to do outside. She needed to assess the property and see what damage may be awaiting her.
“You’re just saying that because—” Liana paused whatever she was about to say.
“Because?”
“Oh, never mind. You’re going to chill here with me, right?” Liana asked.
“Actually, I need to go outside for a bit. I need to make sure the storm didn’t damage the cabin, check the generator to make sure the lines haven’t iced over, and maybe clear some of the snow.
” Eddie looked at the pile of wood near the hearth and made a mental note to grab some more logs.
The main electricity hadn’t come back on yet.
There was no telling how long that would take.
The last time a storm this bad had blown in, it had taken a week before the power had been restored.
“Wait outside? I could go and get some fresh air?” Liana sat forward.
“No.” Eddie’s voice was firm.
Liana eyes narrowed on her. She folded her arms in front of her chest.
Eddie didn’t care if her mate was going to be mad at her. She was going to have to draw the line somewhere. “You’re staying inside in the warmth so you can rest.”
“Why?”
“Because you are injured,” Eddie bristled. “The snow may be too thick. You can slip and fall and re-injure your ankle.”
“Let me guess, and it’s also dangerous out there?” Liana arched an eyebrow.
“Exactly.” Eddie did need to do a perimeter check. If Liana’s crash was due to a wolf, she needed to make sure that wolf stayed far away from her property. Her top priorities when it came to Liana were keeping her safe and taking care of her.
“Why can’t I just stay close to you?” Liana taunted. She shrugged and continued. “I won’t go far, and it will allow me to get some fresh air.”
“No.”
“I promise, I will be fine.”
“Liana.” Eddie pinched the bridge of her nose. She inhaled sharply and tried to shove down her irritation. Why didn’t her mate see it was best for her to stay inside while she went out and did some work? Eddie wouldn’t be able to concentrate fully if she had to worry about Liana.
Liana batted her lashes—slow, deliberate, practiced. Eddie felt the hit in her gut like a punch. The woman certainly knew what she was doing.
Never had someone defied her as much as this woman had in such a short time. Eddie was an alpha, and many heeded her words without complaints or pushback.
This woman knew how to press every button.
“It’s a little stuffy in here,” Liana whispered. “And I swear I won’t go far. My boots are right by the door, and this wrap is pretty tight. I’d practically have armor around my ankle.”
“What if you fall?”
“You’ll be right there to catch me. A big strong bear like yourself won’t let me get hurt again.” She did that thing again with her eyelashes.
The compliment, intentional or not, sent a warmth through Eddie’s chest. The bear inside her all but rolled over to show her belly for Liana.
“You are trouble,” Eddie murmured.
“I know.” Liana gave her a sweet smile. “So…can I?”
Eddie stared at her. Liana’s big brown eyes sparkled as she waited for Eddie’s answer. Her scent curled into Eddie’s senses. It was warm, buttery almond mixed with something sweet like honey. Eddie’s bear nudged her.
Eddie sighed. She was doomed.
“Fine,” she relented. She pointed a stern finger at Liana and gave her a soft menacing glare. “Let me clear some of the snow off the deck where you are to stay. No steps. No wandering around.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Liana gave her a playful salute. “Just help me put on my boots and coat, and I won’t need you for anything else.”
Eddie sighed. She had a funny feeling she was going to regret this. How was she a strong alpha bear who ruled an entire clan, but when it came to this woman, she became a cuddly teddy bear?