Chapter 98 After care
Hale left for Asia within the hour. With Finn.
And in the early hours of the morning, I jerked awake to the spooky sensation of being watched.
Mordaine was squatting by the bed.
I licked my lips nervously. Like I'd imagined, he was breathtaking in his pilot uniform, and I could not resist ogling even with sleep-crusted eyes.
My gaze trailed a path from his sleeve braid with the four gold stripes, up the finely tailored navy jacket, with structured shoulders. A tailored close outfit that pulled the eyes to the broadness of his chest, and that narrowing waist.
Jealously seized me. As sudden as it was strange.
It was out of nature to feel emotions like these, this fire in my chest and aching urge to clutch a person and snarl at everyone else to back off.
This was one more strange change in my body.
I jerked my gaze away, my cheeks hot with embarrassment.
He leaned close then and fixed his hat on my head, and then leaned back on his heel to stare at me.
“It suits you,” he commented quietly.
I was about to speak but immediately slapped my hand over my mouth. Fresh breath or not, it was impolite to speak to anyone before using the bathroom.
But he reached out, yanked my hand back, and pressed his lips against mine.
His warm mouth drowned out all my protests of fluoride and hygiene, and soon my body was inclined towards his.
His tongue, hot and clever, moved with a determination that covered my skin with goosebumps, and sent jolts down between my legs.
I drew in a sharp inhale to the feeling of his hand on my hip, clutching, squeezing.
It was no longer enough to feel just his lips. I wanted his chest against mine, his heat wrapping every inch of me in a toasty cocoon. I wanted to feel him deep inside me.
I moaned.
He pulled away, fire in his eyes. Then he squeezed his eyes shut, and when he opened them again, it was gone.
“You’ll be safe in this house.” He pulled the silk bedsheets over my shoulders. “No one outside the four of us can come in without permission. Not even the ashbounds.”
“Mm.”
“We have sent out instructions for everyone in all districts to walk in twos until the skin walkers are cleared out.” He looked up. “I expect you to follow these rules.”
“Yes sir.”
“Mordaine,” he corrected. “Have either of your friends, Caroline or Kade stick to you at all times, and as soon as you’re done, return home.”
A shiver ran through me. He knew my friends by name?
“Half day at the academy, I believe?”
“Yes si…Mordaine.”
Just how much did he know about me and pretend ignorance?
“What time will you leave?”
“8:00 am.”
“Better get back to sleep then.” He finally let the sheets go and stared into my eyes. “You’ve still got a little over four hours. Take one of the cars in the garage. Use it until we find something more permanent.”
Finally, he lifted his hat off me, smoothed my hair back and pressed his lips to my shoulder.
“Close your eyes.”
I did.
“Have a good sleep.” The deep bass cooed, as smooth as a cartoon voice actor's. And like magic, I drifted off into a deep sleep.
I next opened my eyes to the ethereal tune of a classical playlist. I blinked, yawned, and then shot up into a sitting position.
“Moon above,” I muttered, fumbling for my phone on the nightstand. Then I collapsed back in relief.
7:00 am. Enough time to get ready.
Sunlight was peeking in through a slit in the blinds as the house sat in complete silence.
From the moment I moved here, I never woke up alone. Mostly, I was squeezed between two naked men, but at the very least, one man slept beside me.
Home alone it was!
I climbed off the bed, and had taken just two steps when I nearly fell on my face.
A white stuffed doll, with large eyes and wolf ears sat forlorn a few feet away from the bed.
I slapped my hand over my mouth, giggling as I picked it up. It was incredibly soft, and as I felt around it in pleasant surprise, my hand scraped across paper.
I turned the doll around to find a sticky note tapped onto its head which read, Fireplace.
Gasping, I jerked my head towards the low stone arch over the fireplace, and immediately spotted the golden tray.
I hurried for it.
Berries, pomegranate, a cup of yogurt, a glass pitcher of water, two bottles of dietary supplements, and another sticky note, Bathroom.
I half ran to the bathroom, a warm glow in my chest light like it was Christmas morning.
The pink robe on the sink immediately caught my eye. And beside it, a glass bowl with carefully arranged orchids, purple and floating.
I hesitated.
This should not excite me. According to the rumors, they did this with all their Ascendants. Lavish gifts and intense TLC.
How many women at this point? Fifty? A Hundred? I was not special.
None of this, however, quieted my racing heart, and in a blink my legs were moving, pulling me towards the sink.
I bent my head over the glass bowl, taking a whiff of the sweet floral smell.
My conscience pricked me then.
I never appreciated the hundreds of flowers Fentone sent and still sends me in this manner.
After a quick shower, I returned to the sink and read the note that directed me back to the fireplace, while shrugging on the pink bathrobe. A soft Egyptian cotton that felt like a hug.
The classical playlist was still on, a whimsical tune bellying the sound of my footsteps as I returned to the fireplace, clutching my new stuffed doll.
I had just cleared the fruit bowl and yogurt when I found my next clue beneath one of the supplement bottles. Closest.
And it was just at that moment the doorbell rang.
My heart stopped.
The men would be on their flights by now. No one should be here.