Stunned, Myra sat back. “You’re selling the house?”
“We’re thinking about it. It’s pretty big for just the two of us, especially now that we’re not hierarchy. We don’t host many visitors anymore.”
That was true, but…okay, there was no good but. Her mom was absolutely right. Somehow it just echoed her earlier feelings about not being home.
“That’s true. Where are you thinking of moving?”
“We haven’t looked into it much, yet, just wanted to let you know it was an idea.”
“It makes sense. It’s just sort of a shock.”
Her dad leaned over and kissed her temple. “No matter where we go, you always have a place with us.”
Her nose tingled, a sure sign she was getting emotional and a bit teary. “I know, Dad. Thanks.” Her parents’ unwavering love and support had been a huge part of her recovery when Eric died. Knowing that her pain hurt them had helped her to ease her way clear of the stultifying grief. She’d moved in with them for a year and had appreciated their willingness to let her grieve, even as they hoped she’d move past it.
The peace she’d finally managed to gain on the run with her pack was fading. She finished her water and stood. “Thanks for lunch. I better get home.”
She could see the surprise on their faces but she was becoming too antsy to sit for any longer. “I love you guys, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As she drove home, she felt needy, almost itchy. Like she needed to pull out her vibrator and see about recreating all the good things she’d experienced in bed with Adam. And there were a lot of good things.
The drive to her house was pretty quick. She decided to take a bath, see if that would help. Then maybe she could settle down, get some paperwork done, and cook herself a nice dinner. She did the whole ritual, lighting candles, pouring an expensive bubble bath—a gift from her best friend—pulled her little bath pillow out from under the sink, hung a silk robe on the back of the door, and slid into the warm water.
It felt wonderful, and she determinedly relaxed all the muscles in her body. She closed her eyes, breathed in the soothing lavender, and tried to relax.
Tried. Thoughts of Adam intruded immediately. To say she’d enjoyed their playtime together was an understatement. While she’d been with a few men in the years since Eric’s death, even had minor relationships, she hadn’t truly connected with any of them. It just wasn’t possible, when you’d been mated, to feel much satisfaction in something that was so…much less.
Adam had been different, though. While it still didn’t compare to a mating bond, it was much more powerful than she’d realized, if she was obsessing about him ten days later.
She wondered if she should call him. She’d talked to Hillary, knew that Adam had spoken to her, and agreed to go to Mountain View for a visit. The fact had relieved her a bit. She took in a breath, relaxed a bit more. Yes, after he visited Mountain View, maybe he’d be in a better place, emotionally. Realize that there was no guilt for him to feel about how he’d left Arizona behind and focused on making a new life for himself. And seeing a healthy pack in action, up close and personal, instead of the distance he kept from Bitterroot, that might help as well.
Then, maybe he’d be open to a relationship. Long distance might actually suit him and his need to be alone at times.
She watched the play of candlelight on the bubbles, swirled a finger through them until she’d cleared a delicate path to one of her nipples. It stood at semi-attention, so she idly circled it, not quite touching, circling and circling as it grew more and more taught. She ached to feel a touch there, but it wasn’t her finger she wanted. It was his. She repeated the pattern over her other breast, but then couldn’t stand the need anymore and tweaked both nipples. She nearly cried out at the sensation, imagined it was larger, rougher fingers working the points. She dipped her hands in the water, then dribbled big drops over her breasts. It wasn’t enough.
The hot water made her face slick, but the burning need was more than that. She needed him. Closing her eyes, she thought of his hands, his warmth, his strength. She imagined it was his hand gliding through the water, along her stomach until it cupped her pussy. His fingers that rubbed gently, too gently, over her clit, while the other hand pulled at her nipple. His warm breath heating her face, her neck, his heartbeat that seemed to echo through her ears.
She eased two fingers into herself, the palm of her hand pressing hard circles onto that bundle of nerves that pulsed with need. Her feet pushed hard against the end of the tub, her neck arching hard into the pillow, as her hips rose, chasing her teasing fingers. His fingers. Rough and long, she imagined them pushing deep, adding a third. In her mind, she pictured his face, close to hers, his eyes boring into hers, heard his voice.Come for me.
And she did. Hard. With a cry and a slosh of water over the side of the tub, she slammed back down, panting.
Her eyes popped open wide. Holy shit, she’d actually felt him at the end there. Had connected with him. Shit. She hadn’t meant to, couldn’t believe she’d done it so easily, so unconsciously. Now she’d have to apologize for invading his privacy, forcing her emotions through to him, via a link she hadn’t realize was that strong.
Would he be pissed? Panicked that if she could do that, she might be able to do something bad? She pulled the drain, blew out the candles and quickly dried herself off. She didn’t even bother with the robe, just moved to her bedroom where she’d left her cell phone and started a message to him. Shit, that was being cowardly.
Before she could stress about it anymore, she pressed the link to call him.
“Myra.” The growl in his voice sent shivers through her, almost like an aftershock.
“Adam. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen. I hope you can believe me.”
She waited, six agonizing heartbeats, before he answered.
“I know. I believe you.”
Her breath exploded out of her and she sat down hard on the bed. “Okay. Well. I just wanted to let you know.”
“Are you all right?”
