Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Casey’s heart jumped as she spotted Eli leaning against his SUV. She couldn’t help but smile. She’d initially been determined to shove him out of her mind as she played, but it was impossible to do that when she could feel him.
She’d felt his pride when she scored, felt his anger when the opposing players got in her face, felt his frustration when the Wildcats’ goalkeeper blocked the ball.
It should have been distracting. It wasn’t. It was like he was with her, experiencing the whole thing right alongside her. That had been both comforting and invigorating.
They hadn’t spent a single night apart over the past week. Sometimes they slept at her apartment, but mostly they’d stayed at his lodge. He’d done his best to make her feel comfortable there, even bought her a juicer. So she’d bought him a coffee machine to keep at her apartment.
“Well, damn, look at those muscles,” said Kristin, her gaze on Eli. “I don’t think there’s an ounce of fat on that body.”
“He’s only got eyes for you, Casey,” said Emma. “I’m guessing that’s Eli.”
“Yeah, that’s him. I’ll introduce you, but please don’t get weird. Oh no, don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean.” Clenching the strap of her duffel tight, Casey walked toward him. His eyes raked over her, bold and hungry. That slow, intense perusal made her stomach clench.
He tugged her to him, and she let out a happy sigh as his arms came around her, enfolding her in his warmth. Even exhausted, her body reacted—stomach flipping, pulse quickening. Her mink pushed against her skin, wanting to rub up on her male and scent-mark him. “Thank you for coming.”
Eli’s brow furrowed. “Where else would I be?”
“Aw, dude, you’re being sweet again.” She quickly introduced him to her teammates, hoping the two females would behave like, you know, normal people.
Kristin tilted her head. “What size shoes do you take?”
“Your aura is black with a few muddy shades of red in it,” Emma told him. “Makes me think of a tee I bought last month that has a red-bellied black snake on it. You ever seen one of those? They don’t have teeth or fangs, which I think is pretty sad.”
Because that was totally relevant. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” said Casey.
Emma shrugged. “So long, wolfman. See ya later, Case.”
Kristin put a fist to her heart. “Peace out, people.”
Eli watched the females walk away, his brow creased. “They’re … interesting.”
Casey snorted. “Yeah, that’s a word for them.”
Looking down at his mate, Eli brushed her bangs from her face. He could sense through their bond that she was tired. If he’d spent ninety minutes doing a series of walking, jogging, backpedaling, running, and exploding into short bursts of speed, he’d be exhausted as well. “You ready to leave?”
“Yep.” She glanced around. “Your pack mates already left?”
“Yes. They were very impressed by you and your team. Willow and Cassidy really wanted to come, but Nick wouldn’t okay it.”
“My pack wouldn’t have hurt the pups, but I can see why he’d be nervous of his girls being surrounded by hundreds of minks.”
Eli kissed her forehead, silently thanking her for being so understanding. If the situation had been reversed, he wouldn’t have liked that her family didn’t trust his pack around their young.
Smiling at the sound of her stomach rumbling, he patted her ass. “Come on, let’s get you back to your apartment so I can pamper you.”
“Is that what they’re calling it now?”
“Pamper as in feed, massage, and relax with you. I’d much rather fuck you so hard you scream until your throat’s raw, but that will come later.” He wanted to get some carbs and protein in her first. She needed to replenish her system. So when they arrived at her apartment, he insisted that she sit at the small, round dining table while he made dinner.
“You really don’t have to feed me,” she said.
“I want to.”
“I can help—”
“Just sit, woman. I want to feed you.”
She huffed. “Fine. What are we having?”
Instead of responding, Eli raided her cupboards and fridge, pulling out a garlic clove, olive oil, breadcrumbs, pork mince, wholegrain spaghetti—
And then it hit her.
“Meatballs,” she guessed. “You’re making spaghetti meatballs.”
“I am,” he confirmed, grabbing the rest of the ingredients.
“Who taught you to cook?”
“My mother. She’s big on her kids being independent.”
Bracing her elbow on the table, Casey rested her chin on her hand and quite simply enjoyed the sight of him in her kitchen. His hands moved so fast they were a blur as they chopped, scored, grated, and stirred. Soon, he was adding several perfectly proportioned meatballs to a frying pan.
“I’ll bet your mink’s happy that your team won today,” he said.
“She’s smug as all shit. A little like you are every time she purrs for you.” They let their animals run together at least once every two days, and Eli always insisted on having some private time with her mink before the run.