Immediately, a counter to that statement came into my mind. “You weren’t in heat when I went to Brimstone and talked to my dad after so long with no contact and then took you away with me. You haven’t been in heat these last weeks. You have to admit; we’ve had some fun. Give me some credit.”
“But—but you don’t like sets.”
“I already explained that. Me and my big mouth.”
He opened his eyes and looked at me sheepishly. “Well, I might’ve said I don’t like alphas at some point.”
“You might have,” I agreed.
“I didn’t mean you.”
“Okay, then. We have an understanding.”
“What?”
“That we don’t not like each other.” I couldn’t contain my smile. “That we’re okay with each other.” More than okay, but now wasn’t the time to say it.
Cassius was sitting up now. I still held the towel to his face but his hand came up and he took it from me. His shoulders were hunched, a tremor shivering his hands.
I turned on the TV but kept my attention on him, fluffing a couple of pillows for him, tucking in the blanket.
Bring food. More pillows. Make nest. Need nest.
It was automatic to want to follow Malinekan’s commands. I stood, adjusting the blanket around my waist. Cassius watched me with big eyes.
“I’ll be right back.”
“I had food prepped to cook for dinner. I need to go do that,” he said, sliding forward.
I held my hand against his chest. “Rest. It’ll keep.”
“But—”
“I’d do it myself but I’m not sure what to do, little wolf. But I can do soup. Are you hungry?”
“You’re not going to order out?”
“Sure. Later.”
He frowned but nodded.
In the kitchen I microwaved some chicken soup. Then I made grilled cheese sandwiches, something I was handy at since being a teen. As I was getting it all together on a tray, I realized I should get dressed. But my instincts made it uncomfortable for me to run upstairs and leave him alone even for that short time. The blanket would have to do.
When I entered the room, tray in hand, Cassius’s head was down, eyes closed. He was half propped on pillows. The towel with the cold bag had fallen to his lap.
I set the tray on the coffee table. At the sound, his eyes snapped open, going wide. It was official, I was going to punish Bish one way or another for this trauma.
I took the towel away, replaced it with a flat pillow and set the tray on it. I’d brought enough for two so I sat beside him and took the second bowl. The soup was steaming. It smelled pretty great.
“You made all this?” Cassius asked. He stared at my bare chest again making tingles rush through me.
“Yep. From scratch.”
He grunted. Was that a small smile I saw? Spoon in hand, he scooped up some soup, blew on it, and sipped, still watching me.
“Good?” I asked.
He nodded.
