Maeve almost never stayed the night. She didn’t enjoy sharing a bed or body heat. She didn’t like the way her cheek could stick to warm skin, nor the way some men clung in their sleep.
However, with Soren, this was…nice. His fur was soft, not sticky, and even in sleep, a low purr emanated from his chest. Laying her cheek on him was a sensory delight, and she didn’t mind the loose circle of his arms, either.
No, Maeve didn’t dislike this at all.
She even shifted a little closer, enjoying rubbing her cheek against his chest.
A paw lifted to gently slip through her hair. Tilting her head back, she met Soren’s somnolent gaze.
His arms tightened slightly when he asked, “Do you want me to take you home? Or…”
Or…would she stay?
What did she want? Now that was a complicated question.
17
Soren still wasn’t entirely sure how he’d managed it, nor what convinced her in the end; nevertheless, sitting with Maeve before the fire and eating a simple, hearty midnight meal fed both his body and soul. As they tucked into their buttered toast topped with salted pork and apple jam, Soren decided it didn’t need thinking about, only savoring.
There were too many other things to notice and admire.
He couldn’t say why exactly, but the sight of Maeve curled up in his rocking chair, a blanket wrapped around her and one of her small feet poking out, was perhaps the most precious thing he’d ever seen. The small crescents of her pink nails gleamed dully in the firelight, the shadows playing off the hollow of her shapely ankle. He could catch just a glimpse of her lower calf and the hem of her shift before it all disappeared beneath the blanket, leaving him wanting more.
Soren tried to busy himself with eating, and while the sweet and salty meal did please his tongue, he found he’d rather be feasting on her again.Ibás, there was nothing quite like the tasteof her. If she allowed it, he’d happily spend the rest of the night lapping between her legs. Even more than he craved her touch on his greedy cock, he wanted to feel her come around his tongue again.
He hoped she didn’t mind his staring—he didn’t think he was capable of looking anywhere else. It was like the focus he had when hunting, all senses narrowing to a single point. A similar rush of excitement and determination heated his blood, and histurukwas thrilled with their pretty prey.
Histurukhad been insufferable since she’d told him she liked what he did. That his actions were not only welcome but desired.
That she came to him demanding more…it gave Soren the dangerous hope that maybe he did have something to offer a mate. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Dangerous, dangerous thoughts, those.
Histuruk, of course, disagreed.What could be more natural than pleasing our mate?it wanted to know.
Well…nothing. He’d no argument for that.
Exactly.
Smug bastard.
After finishing his meal, Soren reheated cider for them over the fire, pouring her a steaming mug as she ate the last bites of her supper. Seeing her curled up, comfortable, safe, and fed, warmed him more than the cider. Caring for a mate was a calling for most mantii males, and it fulfilled Soren in a way he’d never felt.
Dangerous. A man could get used to it.
Feeling so…happy, so good, didn’t come naturally to Soren. He feared at any moment it would end, and he’d be worse off for having had it at all. Wasn’t that why he’d forgone it in the first place? This was a tangled knot he found himself in now, one he didn’t know how to unravel or whether he wanted to at all. Surely the end of it would bring only heartache—so best to enjoywhat he could while he could.
Taking a sip from her cider, Maeve hummed with delight. Soren took the sound into his memory greedily, wanting to remember it always.
“You’ve traveled a long way to be here, yes?” she asked softly. “Will you tell me about it?”
“About our travels?” Curious—why would she want to know?
Maeve nodded. “What’s your favorite thing you’ve seen so far?”
Soren blinked, surprised by the question. “I…” He’d never really thought about it that way. They’d been settled in the Darrowlands for over two years now, and honestly, much of their journey here had been unremarkable. A lot of walking. Teaching Kiri and exercising his weak leg.
She looked at him so expectantly, though, and Soren didn’t want to disappoint her. He cast his mind back, remembering those years of travel. There hadn’t been just one remarkable thing but many, and when he told her this, she insisted she wanted to hear about everything.
