Chapter 25 Chapter 25
ZANE
During the meeting, I tried to search the pack for Ella, but there were too many people, too many faces. I had wanted to see her reaction.
Afterward, I made my way down with everyone else, and I spotted her at the bottom of the hill. She turned, and I felt like the air had been punched out of me. She was stunning.
I’d never seen her look so good, and I could feel my body responding instantly.
I watched as her long waves danced down her back as she walked, the sway of her hips, and the way that dress draped over her body.
I slid my arms around her waist, and I felt her relax into me.
“You look beautiful.”
I heard Ella chuckle, and she smacked my arm away.
“Oh, hush.”
I smiled and kissed her cheek before walking off to speak to a group of pack members. As the evening went on and dinner was over, I knew Ella could finally relax.
I grabbed Ella’s hand, walked her to the middle of the makeshift dance floor, and wrapped my arms around her.
“I-I don’t know how to dance,” she said quietly, looking down at the floor.
I raised her chin with my hand and smiled at her.
“Then I’ll teach you. Hold on to me.”
I spun her around the floor, our bodies close to each other. The pack members were watching us. Ella had noticed their eyes as well. It was the first time I had shown my affection to her in public.
The entire pack watched as we danced, and I knew that they all understood that she was mine now.
As the night ended, the pack members all returned to their homes. Ella and Sophie sat at the kitchen island, toasting to a successful event. Everyone was exhausted. It had been a long day.
“Ready to go up?” I asked.
Ella turned to me and nodded with a sleepy smile. After a round of hugs from everyone, I took her hand, and we went upstairs together, Ella walking slowly with her sore feet.
I smiled at her and swept my arm under her, picking her up and carrying her bridal style to her room. I set her down on the bed when we made it inside, and I knelt in front of her, slipping off her heels and rubbing each foot for a second.
“Mmm…” Ella closed her eyes and hummed in bliss as I rubbed her sore feet.
“Better?” I looked up at her and smiled as I watched her relax.
“Better.” She looked down to meet my eyes before hopping off the bed. Ella went into the closet and came back out in a tank top and silky pair of pajama shorts.
She crawled into bed and patted the spot next to her. I smiled and joined her. We both let out a breath as we lay there, letting our exhaustion take over.
“Thank you for today.” Ella turned to me and smiled.
“I barely saw you all day,” I said, laughing.
“Yes, but you took care of me today. It was nice. So thank you.”
I laughed and turned to her, propping myself up on my elbow. I laid my hand on her cheek and said softly, “Ella, I plan to care for you for the rest of my life.”
Ella smiled. For a moment, I thought I saw desire in her eyes.
“Goodnight, Zane,” she turned around and went to sleep.
“Goodnight, Ella,” I whispered.
That night as we lay in bed, I was about to kiss her when she pulled away and went to sleep. It stung. I wanted her to be close to me. I wanted to touch her, to hold her, and she wouldn’t let me.
But when I woke in the morning and she was in my arms, I smiled.
I lay there holding her, gently pushing my face into her hair and smelling her sweet scent. It was intoxicating, and I could feel my body reacting to her.
Ella stirred in my arms, and I didn’t move, hoping this moment wouldn’t end. She stiffened, and I knew she was awake. I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep as she slowly turned and faced me.
Silence.
I opened one eye cautiously to see her smirk and push my arm off her.
“I knew you were awake,” she giggled.
I wrapped my arm around her again, quickly pulling her body closer to mine.
“Maybe I was enjoying you being near,” I whispered in my husky morning voice.
She inhaled sharply. I didn’t want to push my luck, but I also didn’t want to let go.
“Spend the day with me,” I whispered as my eyes met hers. I could see her hesitation, so I gave my best puppy-dog eyes.
Ella laughed before rolling her eyes.
“Okay…”
I smiled and kissed her nose before hopping out of bed.