Page 94 of His Fated Luna

“It would be nice if you stopped staring at me like I don’t belong here and actually helped,” she snapped, slicing clean through my indecent train of thought.

She hadn’t even looked up, still focused on her mixing, but clearly, she’d noticed me. There was no way she thought I was turned on right now. She wasn’t dressed in sexy lingerie—just a worn tank top and cutoffs. But damn, it was enough. Or maybe it was just my wolf acting up, all pheromones and no control.

“I... that’s not what I was thinking,” I said, throat dry and voice rough. I cleared it quickly, trying to play it cool. “I was just surprised to see you. Uh… where’s Lorraine?”

“She called in sick. Josie almost burned down the house,” she said with a shrug, her tank top slipping slightly and giving me a peek of cleavage.

I licked my lips again before I could stop myself. Her eyes flicked up immediately, catching me in the act. I jerked my gaze away, mentally cursing myself. Get it together, Aiden.

“A little help here… Alpha?” she said mockingly, clearly not expecting me to stay.

But I did. I walked over like nothing had happened, closing the space between us until my chest nearly brushed her shoulder. She turned slightly, and for a second, our chests grazed. My pulse spiked.

“What do you need me to do?” I asked, keeping my voice low, smooth—too smooth, maybe.

She blinked, pulling back just a little, a strand of hair falling loose and curling against her cheek. I clenched my hands, fighting the urge to brush it back for her.

“I…” she hesitated, then snapped out of it. “You could start by cutting up the carrots.”

She handed me the knife and motioned to the pile of carrots and potatoes. As she turned to check on the chicken in the oven, I couldn’t help sneaking another glance at her butt. Damn.

“I’m surprised you didn’t run the other way,” she said, returning to my side.

I shrugged. “I’m surprised you don’t mind cooking for a house of eight.”

“Well, it was either that or let Josie cook,” she said, visibly shuddering.

I chuckled. “Afraid she’d burn down your kitchen?”

“My kitchen?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I pressed my lips together. It was too easy—being here with her, doing this domestic routine. It felt natural. Too natural. Like she was already my mate, my luna, and this was her home. Was that such a bad end for us though?

“How were classes today?” I asked, trying to keep things casual.

“Alright,” she said with a noncommittal shrug over the sound of my knife hitting the cutting board as I sliced away.

She reached for a slice of carrot, and I smacked her hand away. “No snacks before dinner.”

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, which only emphasized her chest. I gave myself a silent medal for not staring… and promptly lost it when my eyes dropped anyway.

“Ow!” I hissed, jerking my hand back.

I’d cut my finger. That’s what I got for ogling her like a hormone-ridden teen.

Before I could grab a tissue, Rose grabbed my hand, her fingers wrapping tightly around my wrist, and brought my bleeding finger to her lips. She sucked on it—soft, warm, and utterly unaware of the fact that all my blood had just pooled into my dick. My body went rigid as lust surged within me. My brain screamed at me to keep it together.

She pulled back suddenly, worry all over her face. “I… I should’ve run it under water, but instinct just… kicked in. It’s not too deep, is it?” She examined the cut, visibly relieved when she saw it was already healing. “It’s healing. I was scared for a minute there.”

More curls had come loose from her bun, framing her face. She tucked them behind her ear as she reached for the knife again.

“Maybe you should leave the heavy-duty work to me,” she said with a small smile.

I tried to take the knife back, but she wouldn’t let me, instead sending me off to marinate the now-defrosted chicken. I went without protest. Honestly, I’d gladly cut my finger again if it meant she’d do that again. Hell, I’d cut it deeper.

Damn it, Aiden. Stop thinking like a pervert.

Later that evening, Rose flopped onto the couch in the TV room, clearly exhausted. Dinner had been a hit—baked chickenwith sautéed carrots and potatoes. Now Josie and the kids were cleaning up, and Rose looked ready to collapse.