A Lion’s Mate by Eve Langlais
Chapter Thirteen
His lion was pissed that he’d walked away, but what else could Zach do? Hayder didn’t tell him to guard Fluffy and seduce her.
She was in his care. He had a position of authority. He couldn’t take advantage. But what was he supposed to do if she threw herself at him?
Fight her off?
As she started the shower, he left, locking the door behind him. He didn’t worry that she’d panic and bolt anymore. Then again, if she did flee, it would solve one of his problems.
The store across the street sold everything from clothes to groceries and liquor. As well as sex toys hidden behind a curtain that was pointless given the flashing sign that screamed, Adult Fun.
He filled a wheeled cart with stuff. Lots of precooked meat since protein appeared to be Fluffy’s preference. He got her a pair of combat boots. Pink-and-grey-patterned with a steel toe. It matched the t-shirt that said, It’s Sasquatch, bitch.
Returning to the motel, he noted a curtain flicking in the room beside his. Someone waiting for a delivery boy, most likely. Or a hooker. Hopefully, not a noisy one.
Entering the room, he was just in time to catch Fluffy holding a plastic knife to her hair.
He closed the door with his foot. “What are you doing?”
“Cutting it.” She tugged at the wet and straggly mess.
“You are not cutting your hair.” He loved the sight of it, a shimmery fall of moonlight.
Her lips pursed. “It’s all knotted and gnarly.”
“Which is why I bought you this.” He held out a brush.
Her expression brightened. She snatched it from him and tried to do a long stroke. Then yelled and threw the brush. It hit the wall, hard.
“Take it easy. It’s not hard to learn.”
“I don’t need to learn. I know these things. Brushing my hair and peeing while sitting.” She grabbed at her cheeks. “I’m not stupid. I can do so much, and yet I keep forgetting.”
“Give yourself time to adjust.”
“Why bother?” was her retort followed by a short, bitter laugh. “Once I find the box, I’ll be back in another cave, alone again.”
“Surely, that’s not your only option.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. And that’s the problem.”
“Do you want to guard it?” It had never occurred to him that she may not. But then again, what did he really know about her?
“Yeah-no.” It was as if her mouth and mind had two answers.
“How did you start guarding it in the first place?” He retrieved the brush.
“It was after my mom died.”
“She told you to do it.”
Fluffy frowned. “I…don’t remember.”
“How old were you?”
“Fourteen.”
“Kind of young to be accepting a life-long commitment of that sort, don’t you think?”
“I…” She hesitated and ended up saying, “You’re right. I would have been too young.”
“Meaning, maybe it’s time that someone else took on the job.” Zach sat on the bed and pointed to the spot between his knees. “Over here. Let me fix that mess on your head.”
“Scissors would be quicker,” she grumbled, folding to sit on her legs, her heels tucked under her ass.
“As a man with almost no hair, I probably shouldn’t say much, but it’s fucking gorgeous.”
“It’s always in the way.”
He held a fistful of it and worked at the knots. “If it bothers you, then tie it up.”
“With what?”
“I’ll get you something.” He kept stroking the strands, running the brush through it until she leaned against him, practically purring.
And still, he kept brushing, feeling the silk of it running through his fingers.
When she turned, her eyes heavy-lidded, her lips parted, he tried to remind himself to remain aloof. Professional.
He tried to shut himself off from her allure. She placed her hands on his thighs and leaned forward.
She kissed him. Pressed her mouth against his and didn’t move away. A soft touch resulting in an explosion of his senses. Her lips parted against his, caressing him, making him forget.
When he gripped her hair and finally gave in, deepening the kiss, she groaned and straddled his lap.
Which was when someone kicked the door in.
