Conall
Randy stands in the entryway to Shipton's, looking smug, and something tight crawls up my center. A man as arrogant as him has no right to look so pleased with himself. I make my way around the counter to where Ivy is standing, both for protection and appearances. This is the same man who’s spearheading the effort to get Ivy off the island, and the only thing that’s stopped him is Nick's claim that we're mates.
Ivy glances at me, then steps closer until her back presses lightly against the front of my shirt. She reaches behind and threads the thin fingers of her right hand through my broad, calloused ones. She clearly remembers that staying here may depend on whether she has a monster mate on the island.
"Good mornin'," he says with a cheeky smile.
"Good morning," Ivy says brightly. "Can I help you find something?"
Randy's eyes flick to our joined hands. I tighten my grip and wrap my other arm around her middle, my palm splayed over her stomach.
Her breath hitches, and my senses pick up the quickening beat of her heart.
My jaw tightens as a primal urge surges inside me.
I brush my thumb along the soft fabric of her top, bend down, and press a feather-light kiss to the smooth column of her throat.
Her skin is warm and soft, touched by a faintly sweet scent.
I have to clench my teeth against the urge to nip at it.
A small gasp escapes her that shoots straight to my cock. I want her to make that noise again. The image of her making it while my head is between her thighs comes fast and unbidden. I clench my teeth hard. My hound snarls, clearly having conjured it.
Randy stands rooted to the spot, eyes wide, clearly not expecting such an obvious display on his jaunty little visit.
He shifts from one foot to the other. "Yes, well, nice to see two mates enjoying their day," he comments awkwardly.
Ivy transforms an obvious guffaw into a cough, which pulls a smirk from me.
Randy asks for ground clover, and after paying, he leaves, shooting one last look at the two of us on his way out.
Once he's fully gone, Ivy breaks into a burst of giggles, light and nothing like anything I've heard from her before.
I want to bottle the sound. Use it as my morning alarm.
She turns in my arms, and her face has transformed into something bright and open.
The smile and the crinkles at the corners of her eyes make her look like a completely different person.
There's a lovely pink flush to her skin. My hand, that’s been on her stomach, slides to her lower back.
The other still holds hers, and I can't convince myself to look away.
For a moment, she looks like she might say something, but she sees my expression and quiets. Her lips slip from a smile to a pretty pout.
I pull her closer, and she lets me. Her hand squeezes mine, and I squeeze back. Before anything can go further, she suddenly pulls away, releasing my hand. I let go of her waist, and she steps back, her eyes wide and alarmed, as if unsure why she's doing it.
"I'm going to check on Amy," she says, and marches down the basement stairs. I drag my claws through my hair and breathe out at the ceiling, wondering what that almost was.