She takes another bite, then another, and some of the tension in my shoulders eases, satisfied that our mate is being nourished. It’s a primal urge, one I can’t fully explain, but seeing her chewing feels almost as important as breathing. Before I know it, I’m passing her diced fruit, yogurt and honey, and anything else I can find that might keep her eating.
Emma catches me watching and holds my gaze as she lifts a piece of food to her lips. Her tongue darts out to catch a bit of cheese that’s clinging to her finger, and then she slides it into her mouth, sucking her finger clean with deliberate slowness.
Fuck.
Heat shoots straight to my groin. I grip the counter behind me, knuckles going white.
“Stop.” My voice comes out loud but strained as I stare at her glistening skin when she draws her finger out. “I hope you washed those hands.”
Or maybe I don’t. Fuck, the thought of her slick still being on her skin makes me want to reach out, snatch her hand from her mouth and bring it to mine.
“What? I’m just eating.” She blinks at me with false innocence. “Like you told me to.”
“Emma.” I warn, stepping toward her, then stopping, torn, as her eyes twinkle with delight.
“Bodhi.” She mimics me, head tilted to the side and a naughty smile teasing her full lips.
The way she says my name, low and teasing, flirtatious even, makes my bear sit up and pay attention, and my human mind stutter in confusion. What the hell is going on? I’m about to say something,dosomething, when footsteps echo in the corridor outside.
Piotr saunters in, his oily smile already in place when he spots Emma at the island. Immediately, I know he’s not surprised to see her out of her room. He knew, and he was looking for her.
He’s changed clothes since last night, now wearing a too-tight shirt that shows off the lean muscles he clearly thinks are impressive. They’re not. Not to a bear shifter like me, and not to Emma, who doesn’t give him a second glance as he comes to stand across from her.
“Well, well.” He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes crawling over Emma in a way that makes me want to rip his throat out, but my brave little mate doesn’t flinch. “The princess is awake. And looking good enough to eat.”
Emma goes rigid on her stool. All the playfulness drains out of her, and a spark of anger flares in her eyes. Her shoulders bunch, lifting closer to her ears, and her hand clenches around the fork.
“Piotr.” I keep my voice flat, bored. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“Just came to get some coffee.” He doesn’t move, his gaze still fixed on Emma. “Heard you pulled guard duty on this one. Lucky bastard. I’d volunteer for that duty any day.”
If he thinks his comment is going to endear him to Emma, he’s wrong. She narrows her eyes, but thankfully, keeps her mouth closed.
“I’m sure you would,” I drawl.
“Just saying, in case you need any help.”
I will, but it won’t be him.
My silence seems to offend him. He finally looks at me, something ugly flickering in his expression. “Why are you so protective? You’re sure as hell not rich enough to buy her.”
I shrug, trying to bite back the disgust at myself as I utter my next words. “Just looking out for the boss’s investments. Like you should be.” I take one step toward him, then another. “And if you, or anyone else does anything to fuck that up, I’ll take it personally. Like, I’ll break every bone in your body, personally.”
Piotr scoffs but doesn’t look quite so cocky when I take one more step, bringing myself within arm’s reach and letting him feel the difference in our size and power.
“Every. Fucking. Bone.” I hold his gaze, showing him exactly how serious I am. “Kozlov’s orders,” I add with a smile, leaning over to grab an apple out of the fruit bowl beside Emma, and taking a large bite as I angle myself in front of her, blocking his view.
My beast inside me wants to smash his face in for daring to ogle my mate right in front of me, but I’ll have to settle for being a dick.
Piotr’s smile turns nasty. “Just Kozlov’s orders, huh?”
The insinuation hangs in the air. I feel Emma’s eyes on me, waiting to see how I’ll respond.
“Yep.” I take a massive bite and rest my hip against the counter as I fold my arms across my chest.
Piotr’s bravado wavers slightly. Good. Let him be afraid. His gaze drops to my arms, which are about as thick as his waist, before he fixes a thin smile on his face.
“Whatever, man.” He grabs a mug and fills it with coffee, movements jerky with suppressed anger and false bravado. “Enjoy babysitting duty.”
