“I’d say we should do it again, but I think I might pass out if we keep going.”
“Guess I’ll be making you dinner after all,” he said with a chuckle.”
“How about we shower, andImake dinner afterward. Your boxes of pasta and bags of rice don’t inspire confidence in your abilities.”
“I’d turn you down, but that’s probably for the best.” He stood up, and a noise of surprise escaped me as he lifted me with him and carried me to the shower, grabbing my sunglasses and sliding them onto my face while he walked.
My chest warmed.
He was still okay with not having a mate bond.
Thank fuck.
We showered, then ate anextremely-fancy dinner of butter pasta and frozen vegetables that were past their prime. I sat on the countertop in one of Ethan’s button-up shirts while we finished eating.
When we were done, I kissed him again before grabbing my things and heading out to my car with one last longing look at his kitchen.
He followed me to the porch, and stood leaned up against the doorway while I got in.
“Text me when you’re home,” he called out. “So I know you’re safe.”
“That doesn’t sound friendly.”
“Like hell it isn’t. Friends want friends to stay safe.”
I waved out the mirror. “Fine, I’ll text you. Let me know when you need to meet up again.”
“Alright. Sleep well.”
I pulled away from his house, biting my lip as I headed down the dirt road that would take me back to my apartment.
Driving away from him felt like leaving a part of me behind, but what else was I supposed to do? I couldn’t—wouldn’t—accept the mate bond.
I was just going to have to deal with the discomfort.
seven
ETHAN
I forcedmyself to give Maya some space the next day. The last thing I wanted was to scare her away.
I thought sex would chill my wolf out for longer than it did, but he was riding my ass by that night. Though I wanted to text her to ask if we could meet up, I was giving her time.
So I didn’t.
Thankfully, she called me that night.
“Hey. There was a beautiful yellow dutch oven sitting on my porch when I got home today. Thank you.” The appreciation in her voice made my lips curve.
I was tired of being at my house.
It was too empty.
“We had a deal, Muffin. Don’t thank me for keeping my side of it.”
“How’s your wolf?”
“Being an asshole, but I’m managing.”
