He places his hand on my stomach and it’s like an ice pack soothing the ache. His giant hand splays, his pinky is dangerously close to my waistband and his thumb is touching the underwire of my bra. It is not lost on me that he just needs to move his hand a little in either direction to turn this very innocent interaction naughty. The tingle in my nerves is also helping numb the pain. My fatigue has gone away at least.
I am dizzy, his scent engulfs me and I have no idea how long we sit here for. But I do know he is close enough for me to see the dark green flecks in his emerald eyes. He keeps looking from my face to my abdomen. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he says nothing. I try to keep my breathing even as the sensation goes from soothing to?fiery tingles.
“Umm. I think it’s all gone.” I grab his wrist to pull his hand off of me. This is too intimate for me right now. I can’t have him this close. He looks at me, a dazed expression on his face.
“Oh, uh, alright.” He pulls back, slowly, unsure.
I look down at my stomach and it’s like nothing ever happened. It’s amazing what wolf healing can do.
“Knock, knock.”
Kennedy
I scramble to stand as if we were caught making out. Well at least I know I can get a shot of energy whenever I need it. Just have to have contact with Ryker and it’s like a bolt of electricity has zinged through me.
Sarah walks in with a look on her face like she was waiting for the right moment to interrupt. My Aunt Beth has the same look. Now that I know she’s Ryker’s mom, I’m interested to see what she says to me or if she acts differently, now that she doesn’t have to pretend to be a servant in the pack.
They both have that look like they are having a conversation over mindlink without me and my anger flares again. This emotional sh*t is getting old. Why is trying to belong somewhere so f*cking exhausting? I don’t say anything, turning to leave. They can talk about me when I’m not here.
“Wait, wait, wait. Where are you going? Don’t go.” Ryker wraps his arm around my waist to pull me back and I hate my body’s reaction to him. My body likes it, even though my mind knows this is wrong. No one should have this kind of manipulative control over someone else.
“I’m done with people having conversations about me while I’m literally standing in the room. Let me go.” I’m angry and hurt and sad and tired. What else do they want from me?
“It’s not like that. Stay, please. This is your office. If you want us to leave we will go. Won’t we mom?”
Sarah looks at me, making a decision. “You clearly have some more explaining to do. She is still ready to bolt. At least you made those bruises go away.” She flips her hand at us and I realize that my shirt has ridden up where Rkyer grabbed me. I snatch the hem to yank it down. Ryker isn’t letting me go though. I don’t know how this could get more embarrassing.
“Mom! Enough.” His right arm pulls me closer to him while his left is clenching my hip bone. It’s protective and possessive all at the same time and I really need to get my hormones in check.
“I just need some space, please.” I tap his arm.
“Just don’t run away, okay. This is your space. My Luna needs to feel comfortable in her space.” He lets me go, slowly, and moves next to me. I can feel his body heat radiating. He’s ready to grab me if I try to bolt again.
“A luna hasn’t used this office in a long time.” My stomach drops as she looks around. “We need to do something about that.”
“Mom!!”
Damn. That was harsh, but accurate I guess.
“What? Kennedy clearly doesn’t like it. Do you, child? She doesn’t actually use it.”
“Umm. It’s fine. It’s just not mine. I needed a place to study, that’s all. This is where Robin put me.” I shrug. It’s the only explanation I have. I don’t think anything else will make sense to them.
“Of course it’s yours. Your meathead of a mate failed to explain that correctly. He’s a lot like his dad in that respect. I’m sorry sweetheart, that’s genetic. Can’t do much about it.”
“MOM! Stop. You’re not helping.”
“What are you talking about? She’s smiling isn’t she? It’s better than your efforts anyway.” I blink and fix my face. I can’t help but smile when Sarah is around. She’s funny without trying. But I really want to be angry at both of them. “Now we should all probably talk before she smacks you again. Although, I would love to have a video. It?sounded like a good one.” I let out a giggle, I can’t help it. “See. You needed the help.”
“F*ck my life.” he presses his fingers into the bridge of his nose. “Kennedy, you are the luna. This is your office to do with as you wish. If you want to burn all my mother’s clutter, by all means I will help you.”
“Not all of it is clutter.” Why does my voice sound so small next to him?
“See, my decorations are perfect.”
“I didn’t say that.” I tilt my head at her. Now that I know this was her office, I don’t feel as bad criticizing it. ” There is so much stuff in here. I got claustrophobic the first day. I had to put a few things away.” I pint to a few lower cabinets that I stuffed with sh*t from the shelves. I don’t even know how she fit it all.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.