Chapter 188

I looked up, surprised when I found everyone’s eyes on me. “Sorry, my mom is heading this way.”

Toya stood and collected all the garbage and brought it into the kitchen. “Let’s go, ladies,” Toya called as she dumped everything into the trash.

“What?” Wendy called out as she stood.

Toya stepped out of the kitchen and looked back at me. “I don’t know how long we have, but Amy is about to have a very hysterical woman who lost her mate in her hands.” Toya gave a soft smile. “She gets to explain to her devastated mother that her dad is still alive, and then she is going to have a very livid Luna on her hands.”

“Oh, fuck.” Hanna jumped up. “No offense, Amy, I don’t have the ability to deal with a distraught Luna that might rampage at any moment.”

I just nodded. “Yeah. It won’t be pretty.” I stood and smiled. “Honestly, it’s fine. We can work out all the details tomorrow about training and figure out a time that works for everyone.” I looked around as everyone stood. “Can you all meet me in the caff at seven-thirty tomorrow morning?”

“That works for me.” Wendy stood and walked to the door.

Everyone else nodded as they headed that way. I walked everyone to the door. “Make sure you bring your schedules.” I turned to look back at Rowan, who was still seated on the loveseat, but I turned back to the girls. “Thank you for coming. Toya?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you tell Sterling that my mother will be here soon and to send her up?”

“Of course.” She leaned in and whispered into my ear. “Good luck with him.” She nodded towards Rowan and smirked.

My heart wanted to speed, but I knew I had to keep my head on straight. This would not end the way I wanted it to end.

“Have a good night,” Rowan called back to everyone, and they waved as they walked out.

I shut the door and turned back to Rowan. I awkwardly pointed to the kitchen. “I’m just going to see if I have something to clean up.” I hurried away and didn’t see the smirk that hit his face.

“Tonight was interesting,” he started, and I heard his voice moving closer as I looked up. He rounded the fridge.

“Oh?”

“Yeah. It gave me more insight into everything going on.”

I nodded. He was right; it illuminated everything. “Yeah,” I agreed. I bent down and found sponges and dish soap under the counter. “This place has everything.” I thought I whispered, but Rowan’s voice sounded above me.

“That’s because I had Sterling stock this place with basic things we had in my place, so you had enough to survive until you went shopping tomorrow.”

I stood, backing up so I didn’t hit my head on the counter, and I nearly screamed as my butt backed into his legs. I jolted forward and hit my hips off the counter, hissing from the pain as I hit.

“Fuck, that hurt.” I dropped the sponge and soap into the sink, and then I was turned around. His fingers lifted my shirt and tugged down my pants a little, baring my hips to his eyes.

“Are you okay? Let me see.” The concern in his voice was surprising, but I felt my face burn when his fingers trailed over the bared skin. I tried to back away, but he held my side. “Stay still. I’m trying to see how bad it is.” His voice was distracted as he knelt in front of me. I could feel his breath on my skin as he leaned closer. “I don’t see any bruise yet, but the redness looks painful.” I stared down at him, and I could feel my lower half clench, grow damp. I bit my lip. Please, goddess, don’t do this when he is right there.

I felt my mouth dry up as he leaned in. I could hear his soft, rhythmic breathing change, and I knew he noticed. My face grew hotter, and I wanted to die. “It’s okay.” I tried to turn again, but he held me tight.

I closed my eyes briefly and clamped my hands on the counter before I talked myself into looking down again. When I finally worked up the courage, I looked down and met his eyes.

He was staring up at me, and I could see the subtle flaring of his nostrils as he breathed my scent in. I wanted to run away. I could tell by his blown-out pupils he could scent my arousal.

“You look like you’re about to run.” His voice was soft, his breath heated my skin, and I grew damper. “Are you going to run, little rabbit?” His hands slid up my sides as he stood, and I shivered. I leaned back as he pressed against me. He leaned into me, his lips coming against mine but not touching. “If you run, little rabbit, I will chase you.”