There was a soft innocence to her, something that he felt like he didn’t deserve to be in the presence of.
He was a beast, and she was… not.
It was something he needed to remind himself—and often—for she made him feel dangerous things, as if it didn’t matter.
Sighing, his tail swayed restlessly as he glanced out the window.
It was still early, the sun just starting to rise over the horizon.
He decided it was best to let her continue to rest as he turned toward the kitchen to make them both breakfast. She needed her rest in order to heal, especially to let the medicine do its magic, using her body’s energy with the natural power from the cream’s ingredients to mend her injuries.
Besides, he didn’t know who wouldn’t want to be woken up by the smell of bacon and homemade bread.
Monte hummed to himself as he set about preparing a hearty breakfast for himself and Kiri. He had always enjoyed cooking, finding it therapeutic in a way. And with Kiri staying over, it was the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills, especially since he hardly ever had guests…
He grabbed a cast iron skillet from the cabinet and placed it on the stove, turning the knob to start heating it up. As he waited for it to get hot, he pulled out some eggs, bacon, and pancake mix from the pantry. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough for their meal.
As he worked, he couldn’t help but steal glances out the window every now and then. The view was breathtaking—tall trees stretched toward the sky in all directions while the peaceful lake peeked through breaks in the foliage—all bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun. This view was the reason he’d decided to make this place his home, marking the land and building the cabin of his dreams by his own hands.
The aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and Monte’s heart swelled with contentment. It had beenso long since he’d shared his home, his sanctuary, with anyone. He’d forgotten how it felt to entertain someone.
He glanced over at her sleeping form once more, a tender smile playing on his lips. Somehow, having her stay felt right, as odd as it may seem.
Piling everything onto plates, he set them on a tray along with some coffee and glasses of orange juice before making his way to the living room where Kiri was still sleeping on the couch.
“Kiri, wake up,” Monte called out gently as he set the tray down on the center table in front of her.
Kiri stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she breathed in the scent of breakfast in the air. She sat up, stretching her arms above her head, and smiled. “Good morning,” she said, her voice still husky with sleep. “Something smells amazing.”
Monte grinned as he carried his meal over to join her in the living room and sat down on the lounge chair beside her. “I thought you might be hungry.” He took the steaming mug of coffee off of her tray and passed it off to her. “I hope you like your eggs scrambled.”
She took a sip of the rich, aromatic brew and sighed contentedly. “This is perfect, thank you.”
He observed her as he piled hearty helpings of eggs, bacon, and pancakes onto their plates. A grin spread across his face as he caught sight of her eyeing the food with a ravenous look. It meant that the medicine was working, and she needed nutrition, and she approved his breakfast offering.
They ate in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s presence, with the only sounds their eating, the clink of cutlery and the distant chirping of birds filling the space.
As they finished their meal, Monte leaned back in his chair, his eyes meeting Kiri’s. “I was thinking, if you’re up for it, I’d love to show you my woodworking barn today.”
Kiri’s eyes lit up with interest. “I’d love that,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “But I should get dressed first.”
Monte nodded, watching as Kiri slowly rose from her seat with the use of her good leg. His heart pounded in his chest when her face twisted in pain as she tried to put weight on her sprained ankle.
With lightning speed, Monte seized her waist with one hand and cradled her closer with the other arm. Her body was warm and soft against his rugged form. He could smell the sweet scent of her hair mingling with the faint aroma of the herbal medication still clinging to her skin.
“Hold on to me,” he instructed gently, nuzzling into the crook of her neck to give her better support. “I’ve got you.”
She wrapped her arms around him tightly. Her grip was strong… and surprisingly comforting. It somehow made him feel less monstrous, and he didn’t know why her approval of him made him crave her acceptance.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, though the falter in her smile told him otherwise. “I can handle it.”
His heart hammered in his chest at their proximity—at how right it felt to have her tucked against his side—as he carried her to the guest bathroom, settling her onto the bench beside his oversized waterfall bathtub. His gaze lingered on her face a moment longer than necessary before he forced himself to pull away.
As he lifted her in his arms, their bodies pressed together, he could feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest. He made his way to the guest bathroom, gently setting her down on the wooden bench next to his luxurious waterfall bathtub. He admired her delicate features, taking a moment to appreciate how perfectly she fit in his arms. He reluctantly tore his gaze away from her face and forced himself to step back.
“I’ll get your ankle looked at,” he muttered, giving her one last look filled with concern before he disappeared back down the hallway, retracing his steps.
As he prepared a cold compress and gathered some liniment for the swelling, Monte couldn’t help but replay their close encounter. His hand unconsciously grazed over the spot where those dainty fingers had gripped him so tightly. A strange warmth spread from his chest, making him sigh heavily.
