He was a large man and like most large men, he didn't always know his own strength. She wasn't blaming him. The truth was, she couldn't wait for him to do it again. It did something to her ego to know that he found her so desirable that he'd lost control. When a man who valued control as much as Hugh did lost it, well how could she not be flattered and a little puffed up about it. Made her wonder what would happen if she actually tried to make him lose control. Now there was something worth thinking about.
She eased into the tub, spread her legs and let the heat soothe her. It felt so good. She could feel it right down to her bones. She lay there until the water began to cool. After draining some off, she poured more hot water into the tub until it was as hot as she could stand it. She soaked until it cooled as well. Washing swiftly, she pulled the drain and got out of the tub. She was still a little tender down there but otherwise she felt a whole lot better, ready to face the world.
She came out of the bathroom and dressed in something loose and comfortable before joining Hugh in the kitchen. Due to the sensitivity of her vulva, she'd forgone wearing underwear and chose to wear a loose, flowing skirt that fell below her knees. Teemed with a tunic that came down to her hips, she believed it would totally disguise the fact that she was bare beneath her clothing.
Hugh had made himself right at home in her kitchen, making coffee and scrambling eggs for breakfast. To go with the eggs, there was toast and breakfast sausages. When she entered the kitchen, Hugh kissed her briefly before leaving for his turn in the bathroom.
She poured a cup of coffee and help herself to some eggs and toast, leaving the bulk for Hugh. Judging from the massive amount of food on the stove, he still needed to eat.
While she was sitting at the table listening to the shower come on, she mentally reviewed the morning thus far. Although not sure what she expected to happen, this wasn't the notorious ‘morning after’ that everyone spoke so much about. It was all so, well, ordinary. It felt as though they'd been waking together a long time, long enough to fall into a routine. There was no worrying about bed hair or morning breath. They'd just gone about preparing for the day as though they'd been doing it together for years. It was kind of unnerving, yet relaxing at the same time.
In the shower, Hugh went over his plans for the day. It was a workday and there was just enough time to swing by his place and change clothes before reporting in. The diner was closed on Sunday mornings but opened at eleven for lunch. There was a lot to do between now and then, especially since he'd given his help the day off to make up for calling him in last night. He really hated leaving Mary Elizabeth alone. The last time he left, she had second thoughts about their relationship. He didn't want to chance that happening again. That bridge was crossed and there was no going back.
He returned to the kitchen just as she finished eating. Looking pointedly at all the remaining food, he asked, “That's all you're going to eat?"
"I wasn't sure if you'd eaten. Besides, I've never been a breakfast eater."
"You need to start. You'll need plenty of energy if you plan to keep up with me.” He wagged his eyebrows suggestively, letting her know indirectly exactly what he was referring to.
She blushed engagingly, making him smile. “I'll keep that in mind,” she said dryly.
"You do that. Now, what are your plans for today?"
She shrugged and looked around as though an idea would jump out at her. “I hadn't really thought about it. I don't believe I planned on doing anything. Why?"
"I have to leave and I don't want to. Come down to the diner with me. Sit and talk with me while I cook. If you're feeling really generous, you can make some desserts to go with today's dinner. I'll pay you for them."
"Are you going down there now?"
"No, I need to swing by my place first and put on my work clothes. Then I'll come back here to the diner.” If he had of been thinking, he would have brought clothes with him last night. He'll make sure in the future to leave enough things here that trips home wouldn't be necessary, at least until he convinced her to live with him. One step at a time.
"Are you sure I won't be in the way?"
"There'll be no one in the kitchen but me."
"You're doing all the cooking yourself, with no help?'
"It won't be the first time. Besides, the menu's planned and the food's all prepped. I've just got to get it going and keep it coming. No big deal."
"If you say so."
His mind already on what needed doing, he headed for the door after extracting one last promise from her to come down. “Think about making those desserts. My customers will really like them. You can make them downstairs in the diner."
"I'd rather do it here, where I know where everything is."
"Nothing too fancy or time-consuming, then. I want you with me."
"I'll keep that in mind and be down as soon as they're done."
"Use the back door. I'll leave it open."
"Alright. Go before you're late."
He glanced at his watched and cursed. “I've got to go. Come down or I'll come and get you. The customers will just have to wait."
"I'll be there."
"You'd better.” He grabbed another kiss and left.
Chapter Fourteen
Shannon rolled over sleepily and stretched. What she wanted was another hour or two of sleep, but one look at the clock assured her that she wouldn't get it, at least not today. She rolled out of bed on legs that wobbled before getting her equilibrium. Then she made her way into the bathroom, her mouth stretching in a yawn as she went.
There was a strange taste in her mouth. It was probably from the medicine, but it tasted like blood. She wondered if she bit the inside of her mouth while she slept. As for the medicine, it worked wonders. This was the most rested she'd felt in weeks, even her legs were relaxed. She'd really slept hard last night. Usually she woke several times during the night startled, her wolf agitated. It hadn't happened last night, for which she was grateful. She didn't intend to make the pills a habit, but it was nice knowing she had them to fall back on whenever necessary.
The delivery truck should be here in about an hour. There was enough time to cook breakfast. As she headed into the kitchen, she heard a familiar vehicle in the drive. What did he want? She opened the door and stepped onto the porch. Her brother Rory stepped out of the blue, crew cab truck he used for business.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?” She was a little wary, considering all the unfinished business between them.
He walked up to the porch like he owned the place, sliding his shades on top of his curly red head. Those curls should have looked feminine but there was nothing remotely feminine about him. He was a big, burly fellow, if a little on the short side. He stood only five-nine, but he loomed much larger, his power emanating from him like an aura.
He nailed her with a hard look. “If you're needing help, why didn't you call me? I'm still your brother, aren't I?"
Oh, hell. Kyle blabbed. “I take it you ran into Kyle?"
"You could say that, but you'd be wrong. Man called, wanting to know why my sister had to hire help when her brother owned a construction company. Same thing I'm wanting to know. Is there any reason why you didn't call me?"
Hell, he was pissed. His accent was showing. Come on, Shannon. Think fast. You do not want him knowing what's really going on with you. He'd find a way to use it against you. “This is Raven Pack business. It doesn't concern the Alpha of the Sparrowhawk clan.” Maybe that would cause him to back off.