Eddie stood by the window and took in all of the snow that pressed against the window in thick layers, but the storm had passed. At least for now. Her gaze drifted to Liana who was still curled up on the blankets she had arranged for them last night. Her skin glowed from the light of the hearth.
She’d kissed her. Eddie inhaled, still remembering how it had felt to experience Liana’s lips against hers. It had been tender at first then passionate. Eddie hadn’t been able to resist taking Liana’s plump lips. The desire to taste them had weighed heavy on her the moment Liana had licked them. She would have torestrain herself. Her bear, not understanding, prowled in her chest.
She had felt guilty the second they had broken away.
I don’t want you thinking I am taking advantage of you.
She shouldn’t have touched her, and she certainly shouldn’t have kissed her. She hadn’t lied when she’d said that Liana had been shivering. She’d noticed Liana shaking, so she’d brought her into the circle of her arms. Shifters’ body temperatures ran hotter than humans. The moment she’d had Liana in a hug, the female settled down. It had been tortuous for Eddie, but she’d managed.
Her bear was growing restless and impatient. She wanted to claim Liana immediately, but now wasn’t the time. Eddie had to fight her bear to keep her in check. Liana was injured. She wouldn’t be ready for what it would mean to be claimed.
Eddie wasn’t sure if Liana understood the shifter ways.
A groan came from the blankets. Eddie blinked and focused again. It wasn’t like her to not be in tune with her surroundings. Liana wasstanding; the blankets had fallen to the floor in a heap.
“What are you doing?” Eddie said.
Her first instinct was to rush over to her. Liana would complain. Her little human was determined and stubborn.
“Nature is calling,” Liana admitted sheepishly.
“Let me help you.” Eddie walked across the room toward her.
Liana shook her head. “Eventually, I need to walk short distances. The bathroom isn’t that far. I can make it.” She turned and limped toward the hall. She paused and rested a hand on the wall and glanced at Eddie over her shoulder. “Any chance you have an extra toothbrush?”
“Yeah. Look in the cabinet in the bathroom. It’s stocked with everything you would need.” Eddie was thankful her family kept the cabin supplied with goods. Once she left, it would be her turn to ensure it was ready for the next family member who would want to utilize the cabin.
Liana gave a nod and disappeared down the hall. Eddie used her shifter hearing and listened. Her muscles tensed as she waited to hear ifLiana ran into trouble, but the only sound that greeted her was the bathroom door slowly closing.
She ran a hand over her face. Liana would be fine. Her bear growled in her chest.
Mate.
Eddie rolled her eyes and made her way into the kitchen. Her bear was not going to rest until Eddie did something about Liana. She went over to the sink and washed her hands before she prepared their meal. Liana would need nourishment in order to heal properly. She would make them a simple breakfast. The power was still out, but thanks to their gas stove, she could still cook on the stovetop. She gathered the supplies to make them some oatmeal. That would be a good hearty meal for her mate.
Eddie froze. She had to stop thinking of Liana as hers, or her mate. Humans didn’t feel what shifters did. There was a chance that Liana would reject her and her bear.
But that kiss led Eddie to believe Liana felt something for her.
A hiss of pain sounded from the door. Eddie turned and found Liana standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She was there next to her in aheartbeat. Liana had braided her hair down into two plaits. Her wild hair was now tamed. Eddie didn’t know which look she preferred.
“Have a seat,” Eddie murmured. She eyed Liana’s leg and wondered if she needed to redo the wrap. It seemed as if it were still holding. She’d take it down in a little and reassess Liana’s ankle to make sure everything was okay.
“I can’t. I need to help with something,” Liana protested.
“Your ankle is obviously telling you that you’re doing too much.” Eddie guided Liana over to the small island and helped her up on to a chair. She bit back a smile at the expression of determination on Liana’s face. “I am going to make a simple breakfast. Oatmeal and toast. I won’t need any help with that.”
“Are you sure you won’t need me to do anything?”
The woman refused to back down from carrying her own weight. Eddie couldn’t help but respect it. She shook her head and rested her hands on Liana’s knees. Her bear growled in her chest, a deep vibration that tensed her muscles.
Mine.
Eddie pressed the thought down and forcedherself to focus on what she was saying. Liana’s eyes had grown wide as saucers.
“You’re making that sound again. Is that…is that your bear?” Liana asked. Her gaze dropped down to the center of Eddie’s chest as if checking to see if she could see Eddie’s beast.
Her bear was impatiently waiting to meet her. It would be a while before Eddie would allow her bear to come out and meet Liana. Not that she’d hurt Liana. It was that she needed to make sure Liana was comfortable with her being a bear.