Page 41 of Touched By Moonlight

Chapter 13

Stephan didend up making me that omelet downstairs in the chef’s kitchen. He was also making one for Grayson and a few others because by the time I showered and dressed in a pair of jeans and a print top I’d found in the dresser, everyone else in the house wasawake.

Smells of bacon, sausage, onions and peppers had me salivating as I skipped down the stairs. It had been a long time since I’d slept in someone else’s place, so when I entered the kitchen, I felt shy at first. Then I saw Grayson, in a long-sleeved black T-shirt, jeans and bare feet. His blue gaze lit up with a combination of desire and delight as I said good morning toeveryone.

“Sienna. Good morning,” he said in his deep, velvetdrawl.

I took the mug he handed me and helped myself to the coffee from the carafe on the counter. “Hi. I didn’t know werewolves liked coffee. Maybe I’ll stick around for a fewdays.”

“Maybe a lot longer,” he murmured. “Let me makeintroductions.”

Marc and Dana, who lived in the house, and their daughter Jodi, had rooms on the first floor near the library. Immediately I felt at ease. Marc and Dana were elderly wolf shifters and Jodi was a tall, statuesque redhead concerned with her parents. They sat at the table by the window, drinking tea and talking and greeted mewarmly.

I felt welcome and at ease. Nicolas strolled into the kitchen, wearing a pair of low-cut black jeans, bare feet and a bare chest that made my mouth water for more than the omelet. I had the feeling he did it deliberately, to tauntme.

Standing at the stove, wearing an apron that said Kiss The Cook over his jeans and gray baseball shirt, Stephangrinned.

“Hungry, Sienna? Breakfast is almost ready.” Stephan added cheese to thepan.

Unless you hunger for something other than food, his winkindicated.

“Good morning, Sienna,” Nicolas murmured. His silky black hair was tangled, and bristle shadowed his lean cheeks and sensualmouth.

I’ve always been a sucker for a man with a daybeard.

His dark gaze swept up and down me, and then over toStephan.

His brother turned his head, saw Nick staring at him and then back at me. Stephan blushed. It was the sweetest thing, as if he’d been a virgin after his firsttime.

But Nicolas’ reaction stunned me. He actually smiled and relaxed evenmore.

“Show a little respect, and go put on a shirt before you eat,” Stephanordered.

More surprises. Nicolas actually left the room and returned shortly after, wearing a gray T-shirt. He hovered at the counter, studying me as if I were the main course. But I sensed approval rippling fromhim.

Because I had slept with his brother and he could tell?Interesting.

“We’re going to eat outside,” Marc said in his raspy voice. “It’s a lovely dayout.”

The couple shuffled outside, followed by their daughter, carrying a silverware container. Stephan slid three puffy omelets onto plates, carried them with expert ease, and went outside to place them on the patiotable.

After Stephan put another omelet on a plate and set it before the alpha, Grayson sat and patted his lap. I shot him a questioning look. “Aren’t there enough seats forme?”

Carrying a mug filled with coffee, Nicolas took the seat opposite him. “You’re the guest. You get the place ofhonor.”

Not that I minded. Too long had I gone without touch and the comfort of another person snuggling next to me. Even as I internally warned myself not to get used to this, I went to the alpha and slipped onto hislap.

“As long as you’re not expecting me to lap dance,” I teased. “This isn’t Crossroads, I don’t work for those kinds of tips, and I’m hungry forbreakfast.”

He slid his arms around me and leaned his head on my shoulder. “I want you to feel safe here, lass. My home and all of my territory issecure.”

Then he added in a soft voice, “I want you to feel athome.”

A sarcastic reply danced on the tip of my tongue because my throat seized up with emotion. Home? Home was a smoldering ruin far underground, with the remains of those who had betrayed me. Home was a place where I had felt safe while growing up, and then it turned into a prison where the warden wanted something from me that I refused tosurrender.

But I couldn’t share my past withGrayson.

He forked a piece of omelet and brought it to my mouth. “Openwide.”