Sofia
I’m lying on my back on the porch. Mack is leaning over me, his expression soft. At this point, if he were anyone else, I’d probably be freaked out, but it’s Mack.
“It’s a new day; just past midnight,” Elijah murmurs. He looks at me fondly but stands up and goes to walk away.
I twist and grab his ankle.
“Teach me how to cook something simple.”
Elijah’s eyebrows raise. “Now?”
“Yes. Right now. A midnight snack, something.” I don’t know why I feel this urgency to make sure this night doesn’t end.
His expression softens. “How could I say no?”
I get to my feet but stumble. He catches me up against his chest. His shirt is open so my hands land on warm skin. I stare at the spot just below his collarbone. There are so many impulsing words in my brain wanting to come out, but I don’t dare let them.
All I can do is stand, feeling him, lost in the scent of him. Vanilla, coffee with just a hint of sandalwood stealing all logical thoughts.
The wind chimes hanging from the porch get caught in the wind, tinkling over our heads.
I sway closer to him, closing my eyes. He’s like a dream I used to have. I don’t want to lose this gentle alpha. I try to imagine leaving and not seeinghim again, and it makes my heart throb. No, I don’t want that. I let out an unconscious whine.
With one arm wrapped around me, and the other pressed against the back of my head, he pulls me into a hug.
“It will be okay no matter what happens; it will work out.”
I slide my hands around his body and hold on to him, trembling. The fear of four years worth of lonely nights presses at me. The future is uncertain, but I’m so tired of being strong.
“I know what we’re going to bake.”
“Yeah?” I mumble against his chest.
“At close to dawn the night we met, we were lying on the beach, and you looked at me and said you wanted a cookie.”
I smile. “Your scent makes me hungry.”
“Let me teach you how to make cookies.”
“Vanilla and coffee ones?”
His ‘yes’ is a strangled sound. Instead of breaking away from me, Elijah picks me up and carries me into the house. He sets me on the island and pulls back only to smooth my hair away from my face.
“No crying,” he whispers and touches his lips to mine.
I wrap my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss before he can retreat.
I don’t know how long we stand there, but when he pulls away, Devon and Mack are talking quietly, and all the things we need for baking are out.
“Come on, you get to be the baker today.”
“Me? I’ll have you know I burn water.”
Elijah smiles and starts moving efficiently around the kitchen. He’s a swan in the kitchen. Where he might be uncertain everywhere else, when he’s in his element, he’s graceful, comfortable, and confident.
He gets everything organised, props out a hip, and gives me a sultry look. “Come here.”
My mouth waters. I’d crawl on my knees if he wanted me to.
