“She’s a warrior. I didn’t peg her for a woman who liked loud furniture and tiny pillows.”
I collected his empty plate. “Did you think she would mount her bow on the wall next to the pelts of her victims?”
He leaned back and rested his arms on the back of the couch, his erection still in full force. “I’m not sure what I expected from a girl with purple hair and crazy pants. I didn’t take her seriously when we first met. She impressed me.”
“Is that the kind of woman you want? A warrior?”
He dragged his gaze down my body and back up. “Some women are warriors of the mind, some of the heart, some of the body, and others in bed.”
Had Tak witnessed Mel’s bravery during her stay with his tribe? Despite her eccentric appearance, Melody embodied a tenacious spirit and unflappable personality that any red-blooded alpha would be proud to have at his side. If those were qualities Tak sought in a woman, where did that leave me?
Tak reached for my free hand. “Did I offend you? Sometimes I stick my foot in my mouth without even knowing.”
I tried to pull away, but he held on tightly. “I’m usually quiet in the morning. That’s all.”
He kissed my knuckles and stood up, the sheet falling away. “I liked having you in the next room.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“Sirens woke me up. How do you sleep with all the noise outside?”
“It was hard at first, after living in the country for so long, but you get used to it. We also keep a box of earplugs, but mostly those are for me.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt my cheeks flush. I’d once lived in a large pack with plenty of space to give two Shifters privacy during their lovemaking. But around here, I had nowhere to go at three in the morning. I could hear all kinds of curious things from all the way in the kitchen. With anyone else, I wouldn’t have minded as much, but I drew the line with family.
Tak gazed at me for what seemed like hours and then collected the plate from my hand. “I’ll clean the dishes while you get ready.” He leaned down to whisper in my ear, “Let me know if you need any help in there.”
A giggle escaped, and I stepped back. “After the condition I found you in on the motel floor yesterday, I might be safer showering alone.”
He playfully slapped my ass and strode into the kitchen.
I smiled wistfully. Tak filled a room with his presence and personality. The thought of not having him around made my world emptier than it was before.
Chapter 23
Ten hours into my workday, I was ready to call Melody and beg her to come home. Without backup, I had no time to take a break. I rang up purchases, watched for shoplifters, answered questions, cleaned, processed returns, and answered the phone. I also had to deal with fun moments like my cash register jamming and the little boy who threw up blue ice cream all over the floor.
“Are you sure you don’t have this in a size medium?” a woman asked. She sounded like an aristocratic Georgian straight out ofGone with the Wind. Her blond hair sagged from the weight of her hairspray, and her gold hoop earrings were so large that they elongated her earlobes. “Maybe over yonder in the back?” she suggested, holding up a black skirt with a bold green pattern at the hem—one of Melody’s bestsellers.
“I’m sorry, but all we have is what’s on the floor. That skirt in black is hard to keep in stock. Have you looked at the white ones by the front window? I’m pretty sure we have a medium in that color.”
She snorted and glanced at the tag. “It don’t make no nevermind. Large isn’t so bad. A few chocolate pies and I’ll fit just as snug as a bug in a rug.”
I suppressed a laugh. “If you stop in on the fifteenth, I bet we’ll have a fresh supply by then. If not, I’ll put you down on our waiting list and give you a call when they’re in.”
“You’re a doll. An absolute living doll. And I’m not just saying that. I’m a Sensor, so I can feel the difference between sincerity and hogwash. Sometimes you go into stores, and the management is snooty. I can’t deal with attitude. Puts me in a bad mood.”
“Have you browsed through our jewelry? I have a matching bracelet and necklace that’ll go with that skirt.”
She adjusted her purse strap. “Now you’re speaking my language. Lead the way.”
Sensors were an interesting group of Breed. They had the ability to feel emotions as well as pass them into others, which is why a lot of them made money by way of sensory exchange. It was recreational for some and an addiction for others. I’d heard stories about mothers who had lost children and wanted Sensors to remove that grief forever. And they could. But everything came at a price.
I led the woman to the glass counter in the back and circled behind the register to point out the jewelry. “It’s this one.”
She leaned over and drew in an audible breath. “What is that lush stone?”
“Variscite. Some are uniform in color, but I prefer the ones with different shades of milky greens. The imperfections that look like cracks are what make each piece unique, so you won’t see anyone else wearing the exact same piece. This is one of my favorites because it looks like a lightning streak. Everything here is custom designed and handcrafted.”
She looked up. “By you?”
