Chapter 4 #2
My voice was caught on a high squeak as the man in question strode right through the doors of the bedroom and swept me off my feet.
I wrapped my legs around him as I heard the bedroom door shut, keeping my eyes closed.
I bathed in his scent of raw earth and magic, loving every moment of his touch and scent.
Julian’s chest was rumbling, and his magic ran over my skin as he skimmed his nose against my neck, grazing my bitten mark.
Despite it causing me to feel a flash of heat go through me, right now there was a strong association of comfort.
One that I absolutely loved.
“Julian?” I asked as he finally pulled back and slid me down his body so that I was looking up into a pair of completely black eyes. Coffin.
“Oh.” I felt excitement hit me. “Hey you.”
His head tilted in a predatory fashion as he looked over me, Julian’s normal features contorted to hold more tension and anxiety.
Either way, he was so incredibly handsome.
While Coffin looked me over silently, clearly checking for injuries, I found myself noticing just how muscular he was.
Dressed in a black t-shirt and dark jeans, his golden-tan skin was on display, and his chiseled jaw even had a slight shadow to it that matched his dark, nearly navy hair.
I fought the urge to run my fingers through it for only a second before doing exactly that.
“You’re okay?” His voice was raspy and thick.
“Yes.” I brought my hand down to cup his jaw. “I promise.”
He leaned forward for a minute, brushing his nose against mine as I felt my wolf rub up against him.
He intertwined the fingers of our free hands, and I found myself realizing just how nervous Coffin had been.
I tilted my head back, looking at his lips, as he inhaled sharply.
Apparently, my slight movement was all it took for him to sear our lips together.
A soft moan left my mouth at the feel of his cool tongue ring pressing against my mouth, and my hand that was on his jaw slid up into his hair as I pressed up onto my toes.
He bent down to allow me to deepen the kiss, and I found myself nearly climbing him, wanting to be as close as possible.
Yesterday had been scary—really scary. I hadn’t been worried about myself as much as Dakota and the others.
But Julian was safe, and Coffin was safe. Both of them were okay.
“Preciosa.” Julian’s voice was rough as he pulled back, and I looked into his gorgeous golden brown eyes, knowing that he had pushed past Coffin, taking back the reins.
He grasped my face and kissed me hard again.
“Fuck, I am so glad you’re okay. That bastard took over last night and only now loosened up control. ”
Oh wow.
“Are you okay?” I asked softly in concern. Julian’s eyes darted back and forth between mine, his pulse beating far faster than normal.
“Shit. I have no idea,” he mumbled, examining my face. “No fucking idea.”
“I’m worried,” I said softly. It seemed to cause him to snap out of it, his gaze clearing as he let out an exhale.
“Sorry, Effie, I don’t want to worry you—I’m just confused on why he is so much more present than before. I don’t… I don’t know what to do with that. But I don’t want to worry you.”
I nodded in understanding and leaned into him, pressing my cheek against his chest as he cradled me in his arms, inhaling my scent. I should have found it weird, but it was anything but in my mind.
It was such a peaceful moment…and then my stomach made a gurgling noise that was possibly the most embarrassing thing on this planet.
“Eat.” He pulled back, motioning to the bed.
I sat down, and he immediately went towards the windows, pulling back the curtains all the way as I looked down at the four massive trays of food.
Holy crap. There was everything from fruit to fresh pastries.
My mouth watered, and I instantly grabbed a muffin, not hesitating to stuff it in my mouth.
A moan nearly escaped my mouth, because wow.
I wasn’t going to claim this was the best muffin in the world…
but it was. It completely, totally was. I ate almost three before I realized Julian was watching me, leaning against the bed with a big relaxed smile on his face, seemingly back to normal.
I blushed, grabbing another muffin and handing it to him.
He joined me in having one, and I watched surprise cross his face once he realized how good it was.
“Damn, Ryder has some good people in his kitchen.” Julian shook his head. “I swear this guy has everything here, it’s ridiculous.”
I felt a momentary pang of self-consciousness. “He’s rich, isn’t he? Like not normal rich, but really rich?”
Julian’s eyes lit with humor as he nodded. I picked at my muffin, not knowing how to deal with that information. Luckily, I didn’t have to because the door soon opened to reveal a woman dressed in a neat gray dress, offering me a soft smile.
“Good morning, Ms. Harlow.”
“Hi.” My voice was a bit of a squeak.
“I’m Mrs. Brightwood. I just wanted to know if there was anything I could get for you this morning? I was about to draw a bath for you, and I am having some tea brought to the room as well.”
I blinked as Julian chuckled softly, running his fingers through my hair.
“Nope! That’s perfect,” I promised, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
She nodded politely and walked towards the bathroom, but not before saying, “The hair and nail stylists will be here in about thirty minutes, but they can wait on you.” She was gone then and through a door into the bathroom.
My mouth was open in shock as I looked towards Julian, who had a goofy smile on his face.
“What did she say?” I asked sincerely.
“Caedmon hired an entire spa staff this afternoon to come here.” Julian shrugged and then shook his head. “Probably trying to make up for how crazy he was acting last night.”
I arched my brow in question.
“When he kidnapped you.” He smirked and then stood up, looking towards the door. “Which reminds me—I need to take care of something.”
“With kidnapping?” I frowned, feeling alarmed.
He broke out into a chuckle. “No, preciosa. The only person I’d ever kidnap would be you, and you’re right here.”
I blushed. “Oh, well, thank you… I think?”
Julian laughed as he walked towards the door. “Enjoy yourself, eat more, and remember to relax.”
Everyone kept saying that! Did I come across as stressed? I felt like maybe they were a bit stressed as well and should be joining me.
Also, he hadn’t answered what exactly he was planning to do.
When he left, I stood up from the bed and walked towards the bathroom, having to shift flowers as I went.
My eyes widened in realization that it was truly a spa, not a bathroom.
It seemed that Caedmon hadn’t just rented the spa staff, but also bought all of its products.
The bath was bubbling with a lavender scented soap that was purple and blue.
On a rolling tray nearby were a ton of bottles and soaps, as well as an arrangement of products on the counter.
“Your robe and towels are right over here and your tea”—Mrs. Brightwood paused and motioned towards a younger woman in the door—“is here. What flavor would you like?”
The young woman had a white simplistic tray that featured a mini glass kettle of hot water and a matching cup.
Next to it were three triangular shapes in purple, green, and orange.
What flavors was she talking about? Did she mean color?
Or were those teabags? I had never seen anything like that.
In fact, the only tea I’d seen were the ones that came in multi-packs that you added to hot water you’d microwaved.
“Orange?” I questioned myself. If she thought my response was odd, she didn’t show it, and the woman brought the tray over to the bath and set it up on the rolling cart’s table extension. I was so incredibly out of my element right now.
“If you need anything, just ring this bell.” Mrs. Brightwood motioned to the small red button near the edge of the tub. “Have a wonderful bath.”
Then they were gone, leaving me in the palatial spa-like room, by myself.
Looking down, I realized I was still dressed in the clothes from yesterday.
My jeans were loose from sleeping in them, and my sweater was wrinkled.
I only had one sock on… I looked toward the door in confusion.
Where the heck was the other? Catching sight of myself in the mirror, I winced because my hair…
Well, my hair was just horrible. I really had never given my appearance much thought, but I had to admit—having mates changed that.
I wanted to look nice for them.
Undressing, I folded all my clothes in a neat pile and stepped into the hot tub. My gaze moved down my body to the bruises on my hips, my skin prickling in memory of Caedmon’s hands on me. Goddess, that had felt amazing.
Before I could get too worked up, I sank into the tub and let out a soft moan of pleasure. This—this was amazing. Unfortunately, it seemed a bit too amazing, because my eyes grew heavy, and I found myself dozing off.