Page 130 of Crossed Fates

She poured me a cup as well, bringing both over to the table.

“We really need to master the ability to block our thoughts,” she muttered as she sat again. “Pouring coffee is not sexy.”

I grinned and sat back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re right. Unless the woman pouring said coffee is you.”

She rolled her eyes, but I sensed her playful energy returning.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying our coffees and allowing our minds just to exist with the other.

I felt her acceptance of our situation, just as she sensed mine.

And after several blissful beats, I reached out to squeeze her hand, saying, “Anything you need, Makayla, I will support you. That includes you taking on freelance jobs and venturing to your home realm. Whatever you want, I’ll do my best to give it to you.”

Her lips curled. “I know. I hear all that in your head.”

“Just as I hear similar thoughts in yours.” She wanted to support me. To be there for the pack. To be a good alpha, even if her wolf tended to prefer freedom and alone time. “You’re not the only one with a lone wolf inside, baby,” I reminded her softly.

She studied me as she drank her coffee, her mind running over my words and so much more.

I chuckled when her thoughts slipped south, her body lining with tension for an entirely different reason than before. My wolf perked up at the scent of her growing arousal, his interest a deep-seated need inside me that only Makayla could satisfy.

Yet she seemed rather content with her coffee.

Maybe even a littletoocontent.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d worry that you loved coffee more than my mouth on you,” I teased.

Makayla’s blue orbs lit with desire, and the corners of her mouth lifted. “See? Annoying.”

I laughed, feeling the rest of my stress melt away, giving the hunger for my mate room to surge to the surface once more.

She drained the last of her drink and stood to make herself another cup of coffee. At the machine, she hesitated. “Maybe I shouldn’t have more coffee,” she muttered suddenly, her expression torn between longing and resignation. “I just want to collapse in bed.”

I stood and walked right up to her, crowding her against the counter, caging her in with my arms on either side of her hips.

“Oh, you’re going to bed, Makayla,” I whispered in her ear.

She turned around and gave me a dirty look, causing my mouth to widen into a grin.

“Have as much coffee as you want, sweetheart. You’re going to need the energy.”

Her brow knitted, but she rotated to pour herself another cup, then nonchalantly faced me again. She leaned back against the counter and peered at me over the rim of her mug as she took a drink. “Aren’t you exhausted?” she asked.

I pushed my pelvis into her and smirked. “I’m tired, but I’m notthattired, baby.”

Makayla raised a single eyebrow while the rest of her face remained neutral. Although, I didn’t need our link to know she was full of shit. The heat simmering in her eyes gave her away.

“And what if I’d rather get some sleep, Alpha?” A sly smile gradually curled her lips, as if she just couldn’t keep it in any longer.

All the blood in my body drained to my cock, and I swelled to painful proportions, while my wolf tried to barge to the surface. When she called me alpha in that tone, it was hot as fuck.

“Guess I’ll just have to change your mind.” I didn’t bother to hide the eagerness in my voice.

“Cocky,” she uttered in a low, raspy tone, the simmer having grown into flames.

“You bet your sexy little ass.” I took the mug from her hands and set it away from her before catching her around the waist and stepping back.

This time, when I swept her into my arms, she didn’t fight me. Her breathing picked up, and I could hear her racing pulse. It turned me on even more as I stalked to the bedroom.