Chapter 13 #3
I did too, when he didn’t close the gap between us.
“A full batch of homemade cherry chocolate chip cookies.” His lips brushed my ear,
The scent of something burning had me jerking away again. “You can barely stand, Mav. Don’t burn yourself.”
“Your ears are irresistible.”
I smacked him on the shoulder. “Don’t even think about making stupid jokes right now. You’re telling me you risked your life for a batch of cookies?”
“It wasn’t a risk. I’ve healed from a lot worse. And they’re cherry cookies.”
“You’re ridiculous. I would’ve made you cookies without you risking your life. You told me you might have to fight someone in Erren—you need to be on top of your game for that.”
“Not really.” He studied me. “Do you know how to make cookies?”
“Yes. It’s not hard. Why?” I paused. “Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t think I want to know. What does an Omega do?”
“They’re basically the pack’s therapist. They can read and connect with emotions the way an Alpha can minds. Mine’s a riot. And if you made the cookies, they would taste even better.”
“Undoubtedly. Maybe if you’re still obsessed with me after I fix your company, I’ll make them for you.”
“I will be. What time is it?”
I looked at the clock. His thumbs dragged lightly over my hipbone, making me warmer. “11:10.”
“You need to drink that in the next five minutes. My vampire expert said bagged blood functions similarly to drinking from the vein if you have it within thirty minutes.”
“How do you have a vampire expert? Who is it?”
“Where are your straws?” Maverick set me down beside him on the couch. I blocked him with a hand to his abs before he could stand up to get it for me, like he clearly intended to. Somehow, they felt even better than I expected.
“Sit.”
I went to the kitchen and grabbed a straw.
He tried to make it look like he was relaxing when I sat back down a few feet away from him, but his grimace gave him away. He felt like shit, and we both knew it.
“You dodged my question,” I said.
“Did I?”
“Do you have a secret, Mav?” I eyed him.
“Open the bag.” He gestured toward it.
I did, and stuck the straw in it. His gaze was locked with mine when I shuddered as his scent hit me.
I was sucking on the straw moments later.
His taste hit my tongue, and the groan that escaped me was pure, carnal need. My eyes closed, and I drained the bag too quickly.
With every swallow, I grew warmer… and wetter.
With every taste, I wanted more. Wanted him more, too.
It was over far too soon.
My straw made a soft slurping noise against the bottom of the thin plastic. My chest rose and fell rapidly. Frantically.
I wanted to cut the bag open and lick out every drop.
Was this addiction? I was pretty sure it was the beginning of one, at the very least.
I’d tasted the best; would I even be able to stomach anyone else’s blood anymore?
I was going to be in trouble next Thursday at the gathering.
Finally, I forced myself to release the straw.
I lowered it a little, and managed to get my eyes open. When I did, I found Maverick staring at me.
His eyes were glowing, his left hand gripping the armrest of my couch so hard it was grayer than his face had been. The tent I’d been face-to-face with earlier was somehow even larger.
I cleared my throat and tried to set the blood bag down.
My fingers wouldn’t release it.
I cleared it again and walked slowly to the kitchen, hoping the extra time would make me ready to throw it out.
When I reached the trash can, I stared down at the lid.
Could I really put the bag down?
Debatable.
“You have no right to be this fucking sexy,” Maverick finally rumbled.
He had no right to taste that fucking good, either.
“We need to get going. I can drive so you can rest.” I dodged his comment.
“You’re not driving.”
“You can hardly walk. You’d be a hazard behind the wheel.
” I finally dropped the bag in the trash can.
I felt an intense itch to pick it up again, but forced myself to ignore it.
“Do we need to wait until you’ve recovered more so you don’t lose a fight?
We could go tomorrow. I could miss family dinner. ”
“No. I don’t lose, and we’ll make it back.”
“How long do you need to recover?”
“The pack’s doctor said I’d be good as new in four or five hours.”
“So they told you that you needed to rest for four or five hours before resuming life as normal, and you didn’t mention the fights.”
“Maybe.”
“You’re ridiculously stubborn, Maverick.”
“Am I?”
“Shut up and get in your car.” I pointed to the door.
He slowly stood up and walked to the door. I didn’t want to admit it, but he honestly did look a little better already. “You’re just as bossy as I am, Bloom.”
“I guess you bring it out in me.” I met him at the door, and he grabbed the backpack I’d packed with my things before I had a chance to pick it up myself. When he realized how heavy it was, he opened it and pulled my laptop out.
“No working,” he said. “You need a break.”
Now that I’d gotten out of the office, a break sounded amazing. Everything was functioning well enough to survive twenty-four hours without me, so there was no point in refusing.
“Fine,” I said.
He was already setting it down on the floor, leaned up against the wall. I was pretty sure he would’ve put it on the kitchen counter if he could walk there without risking collapse.
I called out a goodbye to Harper so I didn’t risk Maverick seeing her fangs, and slipped my arm around his waist. We walked down to his bright red SUV together, moving slowly.
I was basically dragging his heavy ass by the time we made it to the passenger door. There was a crapload of bagged takeout food on the seat, so I lifted it before depositing him there.
The food went on his lap while I walked around the car.
When I sat down, he already had one of the boxes open on the middle console for me, and was holding his fork.
“You don’t need to wait for me,” I said as I picked up my food.
“We’re sharing a meal. I’m not eating without you.”
“Is that a werewolf thing too?” I loaded my fork and took a bite so he’d finally eat.
He started.
Quickly.
“It is.”
“Is being barefoot part of it? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you or Rhone in shoes.”
He nodded, finishing the food in his mouth before he explained. “That one is part culture, part necessity. Shifting with shoes on hurts. Wearing them also feels unnatural. We’re not meant to play human to that degree.”
“Does it hurt to shift otherwise?”
“No. It’s as natural as standing. The muscles can get sore if you don’t use them, but you usually get the itch to shift long before that happens.”
Huh.
I didn’t think any part of vampirism had ever been as natural to me as standing was. It sounded nice, though. To be comfortable enough in your own existence that what you were felt like a part of who you were… I’d give a lot for that.
We finished our food.
Maverick already looked significantly better as he put in an address and instructed me to wake him up when we got there. He fell asleep while I turned on my music, and he was snoring by the time I put the car in drive.
My eyes caught on a set of security cameras placed in the upper corner of the apartment building. When I looked around, I found another camera added every few feet.
We’d picked the apartment complex because it didn’t have cameras.
Something told me Maverick was responsible for the new additions. And just in case I was really at risk because I was acting as bait—which I hadn’t seen any sign of—I appreciated them.
I pulled out of the parking lot and drove away.
Somehow, the Alpha’s snores were kind of soothing. Like white noise.
I’d still be glad when the trip was over. I needed to put more space between me and Maverick before things got any more intense.