Instantly, my cheeks flushed. I tried yanking my hand back, but his grip only tightened. “Sorry about that. Hopefully, it goes away in a few days.”
He peeked up at me with brown eyes under dark lashes, and a smirking grin blazed across his features. “I like fish. They’re delicious and fun to catch.”
I stopped pulling away. A tiny non-embarrassed laugh slipped between my lips. “Because you’re a brown bear shifter?”
He nodded as he straightened to his full, intimidating height. The shifter pointed toward one of the windows. “I keep the pond fully stocked. I enjoy trying to catch them.”
Lifting my brows, my lips twitched in good humor. “Well, I was a fisherman before I came here. I’m sure I could catch a few with you too. Though my fishing skills are probably a little different than yours.”
“Probably.” He winked.
I stuffed my hands back into my pockets. “You said Cass was fixing breakfast? I’m famished.”
Immediately, he placed his right hand on my lower back and herded me from the room. His concerned gaze raked over me as he led me along. “Are you feeling all right after the events of last night?”
“I’m a little tired. I need more pain meds for my headache. I’d rather not see the berserker again.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Other than that, I’m excellent.”
He shook his head, and a small blush stained his cheeks. “I am sorry about that. It has been a stressful few months for me. I need to be meditating more than I have been.”
“Meditating helps?”
“More than you can imagine.”
“I’m not really into that, but if it keeps you level…,” I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes, “…then I say meditate like you’ve never meditated before!”
Alaric chuckled quietly, the white shirt he was wearing tugging against his pecs—in a delicious sort of way. With a snort, he rumbled, “I’ll take that under advisement.”
“Happy to help. Really. Like, if you need any fancy pillows to sit on, blue with fringe, I’m your gal. I’ll get that for you so fast, you’ll be on your first relaxing exhale by the time I’m back.”
His entire body shook as he laughed.
I snickered. “Now I’m picturing you sitting on those damn pillows.”
“Please don’t.” He shook his head and led me down another hallway. “You’re ruining my cool vibe with that talk.”
“We’re almost to the kitchen, right?” I had a decent memory for directions. “I think I can smell bacon.”
“Pancakes, bacon, and…,” he sniffed the air, “…biscuits with honey.”
Oh, my. The excellent sniffer in action.
I eyed him. “I bet I really stink to you.”
“The fish scent is overwhelming, even after you showered this morning, but I’m starting to get hints of what I smelled when I went berserk.”
“What are the hints?”
His brown eyebrows lifted. “Do you want an honest answer?”
“Yes.” I readied myself for the worst.
“You smell of sex, home, and fish—even under the fish smell.”
My eyes widened. “Oh my god. That’s just gross.”
His eyebrows wiggled suggestively. “Remember, I like fish.”
