Chapter 23
Stretching as he woke, Modess knew he’d over slept. Mid-day sun flickered across his face as it filtered through the curtains billowing on the breeze. He grinned at the reason for his tardiness. He’d only intended on giving Hillary enough so that she could sleep, but once he’d started enjoying her body, there was no stopping. She’d been equally as enthusiastic, which was a relief. He didn’t want her feeling bad about needing him to slake her hunger, worse he didn’t think he could tolerate it. It was a non-issue now.
Ears pricking for the sound of movement, he heard the slight clatter of dishes down in the kitchen and grinned. She felt good enough to cook, which meant he’d done his job. And damn what a job it had been. Even now, excitement skittered through him at the realization that her heat was just beginning, which meant they were just beginning. By the time her heat passed, he planned on knowing and owning every inch of that woman’s body. The idea filled his chest with something warm and possessive.
He showered and dressed quickly before making his way downstairs where he stepped into the kitchen. Hillary passed a cursory glance at him and lowered her eyes back to her task before her head snapped up and her eyes locked on him. He knew what she was staring at.
***
Feeling a little nervous and awkward, Hillary was glad that Modess hadn’t stirred when she’d climbed from the bed. To keep from waking him, she gathered clothes and showered in the bathroom in the hall rather than the one in their room. She’d almost considered foregoing a shower altogether, but the scent of their sex clung to her skin and would be overbearing if they had any visitors today.
A quick shower and a light application of makeup before she donned a pair of jean shorts and a black tank top, and then Hillary was making her way down to the kitchen. She was famished and it made sense. Modess had claimed her too many times through the night to keep count and it wasn’t like any experience she’d ever had with Blake. With Blake, she’d be lucky to get two visits a day, but Modess…She shook her head at the stamina that man had. He was a beast, and memories of the things they did had a smile curling her lips as she lifted a finger and bit her knuckle. Sexy, virile, Alpha!
Her stomach growled, reminding her that she needed to eat. She pulled cottage bacon, eggs, cheese, bell peppers, and butter from the fridge. If she was this hungry, then Modess would be famished. She put the entire package of bacon in a skillet to cook while she started a pot of coffee and began whipping up eggs.
She cooked in a contented daze that faltered only when she heard Modess padding down the creaky stairs. When he stepped into the kitchen, she flicked only a glance at him before looking back to her eggs, wanting to come off as casual instead of all fan-girl, but her gaze jerked back to him in a flash.
His hair was damp from the shower and he smelled good. The soap was familiar, the musky aftershave was new, but not as new as his appearance. He’d shaved his full beard into a goatee that, if possible, made him even sexier.
He winked at her and then crossed to the pot of coffee before rifling through the cupboard for a mug. “We got cream?”
In a daze and unable to take her eyes off him, she walked absently to the fridge and pulled out a carton of cream without looking before crossing to hand it to him. He dumped some into his coffee, but all the while, Hillary stared at him with her mouth hanging open.
“You…you shaved,” she stammered lamely.
“Mmm,” he grunted and took a sip of his coffee.
Her eyes slid from his jaw down to his throat and the now clearly visible hickey she’d given him the day before. Oh God! Brows snapping into a frown she planted her hands on her hips. “You shaved on purpose,” she accused.
“Well, it wasn’t an accident.” He carried his coffee to the dining room and placed it on the table before going back to the kitchen. Hillary followed him in shock and watched as he divided the eggs onto two plates before adding bacon.
“You know what I mean!”
Grinning, he carried their plates into the dining room table and then held out her chair. He didn’t say a word as he waited. With a huff, Hillary dropped into her chair and took up her fork. She didn’t eat though, just stared at him until he finally swallowed his bite of cheesy bell pepper eggs. Quietly, he studied her and beamed, “You gave me a present. Thought it only fitting to show it off.”
“Modess!” she pleaded, dropping her fork and lifting her hands to cover her face. “People are going to think we’re sleeping together.”
“We are.”
“No!” she bit out. “We’re not! I mean, we did, but that was it.”
“Was it?” he waggled his brows at her and she cursed her damn stupid female hormones. The look he gave her had her heat churning low in her belly.
“What are they going to think?”
Modess kept right on eating like he didn’t even see her dilemma.
“They’re going to think I seduced you! They’re going to think I’m trying to bag the Alpha. They’re going to think…”
“I don’t give a fuck what they think,” he snarled, cutting her off. “And you’re not going to either because what happens in the Alpha’s house and the Alpha’s bed is no one’s fucking business.”
She swallowed hard. He was right. He was the Alpha, so it wasn’t like anyone could give him a hard time. If they thought he favored her, then surely she’d be spared as well. “I just don’t want things to look bad for either one of us, Modess.”
“We’re consenting adults. Neither of us is mated, and you went into heat.” He shrugged like that was explanation enough.
Honestly, it kind of was.
“I forced you to come to Blood Lust, Cupcake. I’ll be damned if you’re going to be uncomfortable here, especially over something I can help with.” He pointed his fork at her plate. “Now eat. I can hear your belly growling.”
Grabbing her fork, she took a small bite and thought on his words. He was right about all of it, and besides, why should she care about what anything anyone at Shadow Wolf had to say about her? She’d be gone soon enough.
Swallowing a bite, she peeked up at Modess. He really did look handsome with his new goatee. And that fast, a new worry hit her. How was she ever supposed to act like it didn’t bother her when it finally came time to leave?