Chapter 27

Nan’s POV

Lionel leans in closer….

It’s like the world around me narrows down to him. I can feel his fingers tighten slightly around my arms. The point where our skin touches like a mark etching on my skin.

Heat radiates off his skin. It always has. ‘If I laid my head on his chest, would that warmth burn or soothe,’ I think unexpectedly.

The moonlight casts his face in shadow. Soft beams highlight his sharp jawline. ‘Moonlight suits him best,’ I goggle at him.

Even his eyes look different than usual. I’d always noticed they were an earthy brown. In the sunlight, they are melted chocolate.

Just like Patti’s and Vera’s. The color has become my favorite.

But here, his eyes are impossibly dark. Yet I can see speaks of green scattered through. Not enough that I could call it hazel.

More of the spares green leaves of early autumn as the world turns to shades of brown and orange, summer’s end not quite there. Seen only once I am close enough to notice. Another part of Lionel I uncover as I am drawn to his magnetism.

Lionel leans closer, but our lips do not touch. He holds himself still. Controlled but tense.

I want to yank that control from his hands. To force him to stop this push and pull of my feelings. But I am trapped in the moment, unable to move.

My breath comes faster now. Our lips are less than two inches away from each other. So close that we are exchanging breath from our lungs with one another.

I am about to close the distance between us, but my mind stops me. Unwillingly, Lionel’s thoughtless words flash in my mind. ‘What about it?’

All want freezes inside me, cooling my heated feelings. I now am able to think with crystal clarity. ‘What the hell am I doing?’ I think with cold anger.

Noticing our close proximity only fuels my indignation. I am already feeling vulnerable from the humiliating situation at work. This man is so hot and cold I might as well be part of a twister!

He rescues me from my creepy boss, but then threatens to take away the daughter I raised. He acts nice to me privately, but then switches to stoic moments later. He takes me to a nice, intimate dinner and compliments me so sincerely, but then acts indifferent to the idea of me leaving.

I never know which version of Lionel I will be seeing. It’s exhausting and genuinely frustrating.

Push and pull…push and pull…push and pull…

I knew there was no way I was misinterpreting his desire for me. Not when leaned in first, or that his eyes had become glued to my mouth. He still refused to make the first move.

I’d had enough at that moment. Well, tonight it is my turn to push. I took a step back, then another

Lionel leaned back now, seeming dazed. “It’s getting late, I’m going to go see to the girls.” I said briskly.

I was almost to the front door when he responded. “Good night, Nan.” Without turning around, I curtly replied, “Goodnight.”

Lionel’s POV

Nan walking away from me stung.

I wanted to stop her. To continue on the path we had been treading moments before. To claim our second kiss.

I knew her lips would be soft. They had been the first time. The phantom taste of vanilla chapstick on my lips.

Our first kiss. Yet one that did not count. Nan had begged for it, but she was under the influence of a drug and unable to properly consent.

I can still hear her moans. Feel the touch of her soft stomach as she pressed against me. Her face when she climaxed, cheeks flushed and eyes wide.

I should have felt ashamed at my actions. But I feel more shame at the fact that I do not, nor do I regret the kiss. I simply wish Nan remembered too.

That kiss had allowed for the spark of a mate bond. One that surged in my chest, briefly bringing an explosion of emotions I had pushed away. It should have been impossible…

My feet move on autopilot as I contemplate my dilemma. ‘By the goddess, the scent of her is everywhere I step,’ I note. How had this woman so easily invaded my home, the hearts of my daughters, and my every thought?

I inhale deeply. Her scent is indescribable. The best description I can provide is clean, fresh…fertile.

I had never come across such a scent before. It is the most mouthwatering one I’d known. It is simply Nan.

From the loving gaze she bestows the girls to the sadness lurking in those storm cloud eyes to the glittering rainbow like mischief as she challenges me, I adore it. I wanted to wrap by fingers in those brunette strands, see if they are as silky as they look. I feel like I am going crazy each day I spend in her presence without acting on these thoughts.

But then my logic always overrules my impulse. Katya may not have been my true mate, but she was my wife. After the way she died, I had sworn off ever taking another wife or mate.

I always tried to do right by Katya. I loved her. But it was not in the way she needed.

My family disagreed, but I knew her death was my fault. If I had tried harder, Vera and Patti would have had their mother. If had just….

I would not disrespect Katya’s memory by breaking that promise. Besides, it was impossible anyway. What I had felt during the kiss could not be a mate bond.

It just could not. Obviously, the answer is that I had just been lustful in the moment. Maybe I got a secondhand effect of the drug.

‘Yes,’ I resolved, ‘that was it. Nothing more.’ The more primal side of me did not like that idea.

I shoved down that side of me. No matter how hollow or false that sentiment rang out, I knew I had to be right. There was no other reasonable explanation.

I need a good distraction. Something to keep my thoughts from overflowing. Or dangerous notions to tempt me.

‘Work,’ I decide. There is always work to do. Work will keep my thoughts occupied.

I change directions for my office right away. I refuse to walk faster than leisurely. I would not let my turmoil make me look weak or desperate.

As I reach for my door knob, I register that someone is already inside. I stop. Listen intently.

I don’t let my wolf merge off the bat. I have more control than to spook at the slightest thing. But I am not happy either.

I know the girls are in bed. I can hear their slow, sleepy heartbeats in the same direction as their room. After tonight, and smelling the bitterness of Nan’s anger, I know she would not be waiting to see me either.

I let out a subvocal growl. Warning the intruder to identify themselves. I would not have a possible threat in my home, not with the most important people to me only a floor away.

Then I hear a soft, submissive bark in return. One I am unfortunately familiar with. Work no longer seems like a good idea.

I grimace. Having this particular person wondering around is an even worse idea. I sigh.

I twist the knob and the door opens softly with a click. My office is dark other than two lit lamps on my desk.

I step into the office. The intruder’s scent welcomes me. Leather, Burbon, and cigarette smoke.

A hideous combination. I’m irritated before I walk across the room to sit at my desk. I plop into my chair and glare at them.

They grin back. My irritation spikes. I am already done with this conversation before they even speak.

The intruder is sitting in the chair opposite to me. Looking nonchalant, as though they knew for certain I would not be offended. Liquor already poured into a tumbler.

‘You are wrong,’ I glower, ‘I wanted to kick you out the second I caught your scent and will if this visit is for bullshit.’

There was only one person who could piss me off before I even look at them.