Chapter 17
I waited in bed while Eric took a quick shower. It was a bit too early to sleep, but Eric was wiped out from his patrol, and with Crystal on lockdown outside, I didn’t think there was really anything for me to do except rest.
Eric came into the bedroom also smelling like strawberries, which greatly amused me. His dark, damp hair clung to his forehead. Unfortunately, the frown on his face from when he first came home had returned and he didn’t look so happy anymore.
“Are you okay?” I asked tentatively as Eric sat on the other end of the bed.
“Fine,” he mumbled.
“You’re clearly not fine.”
I expected a dry, humorous glance, or a sarcastic remark, but I didn’t get either. Eric just sat there with his shoulders slumped, staring at the floor.
“Eric?” I asked. I gently touched his back. “Seriously, do you want to talk about anything?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry.”
“How can I not worry? And like I said to Crystal, I’m not just some naive kid, Eric. I’m the pack leaders’ son. I’m no stranger to things like this.”
“This is not what you’re here for,” Eric muttered. “You’re not in any danger, but I won’t stress you out with pack politics and safety precautions that have nothing to do with you.”
I knew what he was doing--trying to get me to back off by being harsh. But I saw through his game, and it wasn’t going to work on me.
“If it doesn’t have anything to do with me, why is Crystal stationed outside?” I asked. “I doubt she would be if I wasn’t here.”
Eric’s muscles stiffened under my hand, and I knew I’d confirmed the truth.
“Are you worried about me?” I said.
“Of course I am,” Eric snapped. “With the gryphons out there, and now these humans, you’re in constant danger, Matheson!”
I didn’t flinch. The stress was coming off Eric in waves. Hell, he was more worried about me than I was.
Slowly, I let my hands start working the muscles of his upper back. I dug my thumbs into him, deep and firm, making circles in his stiff muscles.
“What are you doing?” Eric asked.
“Giving you a massage.”
“Why?”
I smirked. “Because you need one.”
For a moment he was too baffled to respond. He swallowed whatever complaint he had ready on his tongue, going quiet as I unravelled the tension in his back.
“I know I’m not the best at this, so let me know if I’m hurting you,” I said.
Eric grunted affirmatively.
The room went quiet for a while as I massaged him. His muscles were tight and tense beneath my fingers, and it was even harder with his shirt in the way.
“Um… Do you think you can take your shirt off?” I asked.
Eric paused, and I thought he would say no. Without another word, he pulled it off and tossed it on the floor.
“That’s your secret, huh?” I said, putting my hands back on him. His skin was hot and soft to the touch, still smelling like soap and hot water from his shower.
“What secret?” he mumbled.
