Page 16 of Can’t Help Growling in Love (Harmony Glen #9)
I leave June to explore the living room in peace and crouch by the woodstove, reaching for the matches.
My hands are surprisingly steady as I strike a flame and hold the burning match to the scrunched-up paper I prepared last night.
I didn’t light the fire before I left for work—or rather, for the coffee shop.
The floor heating is enough for me most days, but June needs to dry her shoes and clothes, so we’ll need a better source of warmth.
“This view is amazing,” she says from somewhere behind me.
I put a piece of wood on top of the small flames, then shut the door of the stove. I place our shoes in front to let them dry, then walk over to where June is standing by the windows, watching the rain pouring over my backyard.
“Thanks. I like it here, too. I bought the house because of its location.”
I stop next to her, a foot of distance the most I can handle right now. I don’t want to crowd her—I don’t want her to think I brought her here just to mess around. I really do want to feed her breakfast, which I’ll get to in a minute, as soon as I can tear myself away from her.
June turns toward me and smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling.
This close up, I could count all her freckles, and I raise my hand before I realize what I’m doing.
I run my thumb over her cheek, and she leans into my touch, her eyelids fluttering shut.
She lets out a hum of pleasure and puts her hands on my hips, the gesture so natural, I don’t even flinch.
“Food first,” I rumble, my voice shifting to that gravelly octave that has made me so popular with audiobook listeners. “And you need to change again. Your socks are wet.”
Her sigh warms my hand. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”
“Come on.” I take her hand, unable to stop touching her, and tug her from the living room and down the hallway, toward my bedroom.
“There are three more rooms upstairs,” I tell her. “Way too much space for me.”
When I saw the bedrooms, I thought I might convert them to a large office or something.
Having kids wasn’t even on my radar. But now that I’ve met June, my brain is supplying all sorts of tempting images.
June with a rounded belly, pregnant with our kid.
Me, carrying the child on my shoulders while my mate walks with us, smiling at me.
I shake my head to clear it. June and I have known each other for only a couple of days, and already, I’m planning a future for us. It’s too soon, and I’m sure Leo would agree with me this time. I can’t jump into a relationship with her so fast. It would be irresponsible for both of us.
That doesn’t explain why I nudge June to sit on my bed while I pull her wet socks off her feet. They’re small and pale, and when I see that her toenails are painted a light blue, I can’t help but grin.
She tries to curl her feet underneath her, giggling. “Oh my God, stop, I’ve been on my feet all night. I need to shower.”
I tug her back lightly, my fingers wrapped around her ankle.
“I don’t care. You smell amazing all the time.
It’s really fucking inconvenient, because I’m trying very hard to be a good host.” Another deep inhale, and I shudder, barely holding myself back, so I release her reluctantly.
“But there’s an en suite through that door.
You can grab a shower if you’d like, and I’ll make us something to eat. ”
We’re at eye level now that I’m kneeling in front of her, and she regards me seriously, a frown line between her eyebrows.
“I didn’t want to mess up your entire day.” She squeezes the comforter on both sides of her hips, her fingertips digging into the soft fabric. “This can’t be what you had planned for today. You only asked me to visit you at the station.”
I lean in and press a quick kiss to her cheek, then linger because I can’t pull away. “No, it’s more. I didn’t think I’d ever want to share this space with anyone, but you being here feels completely right.”
She melts against me, leaning on my shoulder. “Okay. Whew. I’d like to stay a while if that’s all right with you.”
“Yeah, June.” I huff out a laugh. “I’m trying really hard not to move too fast, because all I want to do is keep you here and lick you all over to see how you taste.
But that sounds like something a serial killer would say, so I’m gonna leave you here now and get breakfast going before you run away from me, screaming. ”
I push myself away from the bed and stand.
June is flushed, her brown eyes wide, no doubt freaked out by my confession.
But…not really? Her caramel scent is sweeter than ever.
I groan, shaking my head and backing away from her, toward the door.
If I don’t leave now, I’ll make good on my suggestion and we’ll stay right here.
She needs food first, though, and I need to calm down.
“Come to the kitchen when you’re done,” I rasp, grabbing a dry t-shirt from the dresser to replace my damp one.
She dips her chin in a nod, and just before I slip out through the door, she calls, “I’m not running away, just so you know!”