Heart Of A Lycan Prince

9.

Dazed.

That was one way to describe my current condition. Because, one: this is all so confusing and two: I hate how my body is so drawn to his. To his scent, to the feel of his fingers trailing down my cheeks, to the tons of tattoos staring back at me on his neck, considering my height stopped right there.

Plus the fact that he was soaking wet, his white shirt plastered to his skin, while his black pants hung dangerously low on his hips and fit tightly to his thighs. I could see the dark outline of the tattoos on his chest through the soaked shirt and it was doing absolutely nothing to help my confused state of mind.

Dear Nyala!

Gone was my fear of the rain and thunder, replaced with the unfamiliar feeling that has engulfed my mind since I saw him yesterday. And that isn't a good sign.

‘Damn! Why does he have to look so hot when he is angry?’ Robyn whispered, sounding almost as dazed as I was.

Oh, yeah. He definitely looked angry. No, make that utterly pissed, that is the right word to use here.

Then suddenly, his thumb was touching my bottom lip. Rubbing it sensuously, in a way that made my toes curl. I didn't care that it was cold because that wasn't what I was focusing on. Before I could finish reacting to that, however, he was leaning down so close that I could feel his hot breath fanning my lips, his mouth was mere inches away from mine.

Are we going to kiss? Nah. Definitely not. Because I wouldn't allow that.

“Your lips are too tempting, Kitten,” he murmured, his voice a husky whisper.

‘s**t, Sher. That sounded too hot! I'm losing myself here. Do something, please!’

That seemed to draw me out of my dazed state. I swallowed hard and fast, nearly choking on my own spit. I then managed to mask my features, keeping my face blank on the surface. I wasn't sure if my face showed my inner turmoil a few seconds ago, but I'm done playing this s**t!

“What. Are. You. Doing. Here. Maverick?” I gritted, placing my hands on his chest in an attempt to push him away. But he was too strong. His muscles remained firm and he wouldn’t budge. Not even a bit.

Instead, he leaned in closer and buried his face into the crook of my neck. His trimmed beard tickled me, his wet body pressing against mine, and then he did the unexpected.

He sniffed me.

“Your scent is so intoxicating. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since last night.”

Oh, Nyala. The things this man says to me. The things he does. Everything about him is so confusing! And I definitely do not like it, not one bit.

‘Oh my, Nyala. I'm a goner right there, Sher. That neck thing is practically dominating. Is it normal for a wolf to be wet?’

‘Shut up, Robyn. You aren't helping me here!’ I snapped.

‘How tf am I supposed to help you when I can't even help myself? The pull of the mate bond wasn't this intoxicating on Friday night. Perhaps the s*x sparked more of the bond?’

‘Could be,’ I sighed. ‘How weird is it that I'm currently wet, Robyn?’

‘Oh believe me, it's not weird. What IS weird is that I, a wolf, am wet. WET, Sher. WET!’ Robyn groaned.

I had to stifle a smile then, because despite the situation, Robyn was able to make me feel something other than the terror and confusion gnawing at me.

‘You've got to do something before I completely lose my s**t. I'm literally about to snap what little control I have left over my sanity. With him this close, whispering those words, I don't think I can last much longer. So focus and just do something!!!’

Yeah. I should focus. Because there won't be another time for us. At least, not while his actions are so confusing.

“I'm going to ask you one last time, Maverick. What are you doing here?” I asked, willing for my voice to sound strong and determined.

“You weren't replying to any of my texts,” he replied and kept quiet, as though that suddenly explains the reason why he was here, in my apartment. And the big brute still has his face buried in the crook of my neck.

“So?” I asked, looking everywhere but at his face. “What does that have to do with you barging into my house unannounced?” I continued. “Can you move away from my neck? That is a pretty intimate gesture for someone who has no interest in a mate.”

He shuddered, then sighed into my neck before pulling away. He eyed me for a while, his eyes racking down my whole body, making my super sensitive n.ipples react to the way his eyes darkened in a way that didn't look too innocent, or the way he licked his bottom lip.

‘Just screw me, Nyala!’ Robyn groaned for the uptenth time. ‘Why does he have to be a douchebag and sexy at the same time? Can't I be allowed to deal with one thing at a time?’ She grumbled.

‘I suppose you and I…’

“Why weren't you replying to my messages?” Maverick cuts me off. “I sent tons of them, yet you didn't reply to any. Hell, I was worried because I had no idea if you'd gotten them or not because your read receipts seem to be turned off,” he added, running his hand through his low undercut.

He was biting his lower lip and now that I was finally getting out of my daze, it seemed as though he didn't care one bit that he was still clad in wet clothes.

“Still doesn't explain why you are standing here soaking wet.”

“Because I was worried. I needed to hear from you after that…that disturbing text you sent me.”

“Disturbing text?” I asked, raising one of my brows. “You mean my reply to the lousiest text ever?”

“Ki…”

“Stop calling me that. My name is Sherneil,” I snapped, finally getting hold of my emotions.

“Kitten fits you better, though,” he mumbled, moving in closer again as though he was going to kiss me. “I like calling you that.”

“Too bad I don't like it, but it doesn't seem like you care what I think or feel. You will do whatever the hell you want, anyway. Just get out of my apartment. Now!” I pointed towards the door.

He simply stared at me. Despite my numerous tries, I couldn't read what it meant. Couldn't figure out the emotions that were on his face.

Closed off. As always.

“It's raining.” He finally answered.

“You didn't seem to care about that though,” I pointed to his wet clothes. “Why start now?”

“I wasn't thinking, okay?! I wasn't thinking when I decided to board a last minute plane and come to a kingdom that I haven't been to in two years. So, excuse me, for not caring if it was raining then.” Maverick finished, and this time around, he was the one avoiding my gaze.

Yeah. It's been two years since he left. Again. So he came back… for me? Does that make any sense?

‘Nope. It doesn't. Not even a bit. This man isn't confusing to only you, but to me as well.’ Robyn chirped in.

“I'm sorry for barging in without letting you know,” he murmured, his right hand still plastered on the wall, the left was dropped to his side. “I know this sounds weird, but can I spend the night here? Or at least just until the rain stops?”

My first impulse was to say no. But that would automatically show him that I cared what he did with his life, or that his actions had hurt me. It all confuses me. So, instead of doing any of that, I did the one thing that I was good at.

Masking. Mirroring what I have seen around me.

“I have only the couch to spare. It will have to do,” I grumbled.

He grinned down at me with his teeth flashing, and as stupid as my brain is, I was knocked out by his beautiful smile.

“Do you, by chance, have anything I can change into?”

“You didn't bring any of your clothes?”

He scratched his head and looked away. “I told you I wasn't thinking straight,” he answered quietly.

“And why is that exactly?” I asked, crossing my arms across my chest.

He looked like he was going to say something, but then clamped his mouth shut and just smirked at me. “Because I could think of nothing but you. I didn't have enough time to pack, so I'll have to go get some clothes.”

Great. Really great.

“My clothes won't fit you.”

“I bet the shirts wouldn't. Don't you have a hoodie?”

“Just one. And it is my favorite so you won't get it.”

“I see,” he murmured, then suddenly began to pull down his trousers. “I guess it's fine with you if I stay in my shorts and shirtless, then?” He asked, but there was something mischievous glinting in his eyes.

Stupid brute.

“You can stay naked for all I care,” I replied with nonchalance before I slipped away from his caged embrace and made my way to my bedroom. “Make yourself comfortable, I'll be back in a moment.” I added.

I scurried away, my heart still in my throat. I needed the space because this has been one hell of an unexpected encounter.

By the time I made it to my bed and sat by the edge, my feet were literally shaking. This is what I mean when I say that I hate surprises. They leave me feeling exposed, with an uncomfortable feeling as though something is crawling on my skin, or the tightness in my chest that wouldn't go away for a long while. I also find it extremely hard to catch my breath or focus my attention. Everything just feels overwhelming and out of control. Surprises means you do unprepared things and lack focus on important things, especially for this certain type where the actions Maverick is showing me now are a direct opposite to what he showed me last night.

Totally and utterly confusing.

‘I agree. I can't say what game he's playing. Hell, if that encounter wasn't exhausting. But, you handled it well, Sher,’ Robyn’s voice softened. ‘You handled it like the pro you’ve always been and I can't be more proud of you. If it were me, I'm certain I'd have rubbed my itching tail against his wet body.’

I laughed, one that caused my entire body to shake with the impact.

‘You're not serious.’

‘Oh, but I am. Did you see the way he was looking at us?’

‘Duh! Of course I did,’ I rolled my eyes.

‘That caused the start of the wetness. What made it worse, however, was that neck thing he did. Damn! I wish our relationship wasn't this strained, I'd have definitely asked him to always do this. I might have even returned that action.’

My hand unconsciously went to my neck, right where his lips had been a few moments ago, and the same spot he had sucked on last night. Truthfully, I loved it too. I loved the scrape of his beard against my neck, the warmth of his breath, and the feel of his lips closed right there.

Right where my mating mark was supposed to be. The same spot which now had a small bruise from when he had sucked on it yesterday.

'I'm going to ask you again, Sher. Is it possible for a wolf to get wet? Because I swear by Nyala I am. It was nearly impossible to control my primal instinct not to jump on him right there.’

‘I guess it is something possible - only for special wolves like you,’ I teased.

Robyn howled happily, before she nuzzled me through the bond. ‘So proud of you, Girl. Now, we just need to get through the night in one piece.’

‘You bet we do,’ I answered, as I stood up and walked to my closet. I have nothing that would fit him, except for a three quarter shorts that once belonged to Tanaya, which is too big for me. I took the shorts out and stared at myself once in the mirror, taking in my now calm and collected appearance, before I made my way back into the living.

However, when I got there, Mav was no longer in the living room. Had he left already?

“In here,” he called behind me.

I whirled around and found him standing in my kitchen, still wearing his drenched shorts while stirring at something in the pot.

Excuse me?

“I am hungry. I thought that you might be as well. Especially since I saw some baking ingredients out on the counter. Were you planning to bake something?”

“If I had not been interrupted, yes, I was planning to.”

He smiled. A dazzling kind of smile that made my heart dance a little.

“Then allow me to apologize by making dinner for us. I've already started on it so you might as well just go have a seat while I finish.”

“I don't eat food made by strangers,” I grumbled, stepping into the kitchen and shoving the three quarter shorts into his arms. “I'll handle my meal, you can make yours.”

“Don't be stubborn,” he murmured, taking hold of my hand before I could move away. “I would hardly consider myself a stranger, Kitten.”

The kitchen already has an amazing aroma building in it and despite my hesitation to eat something he was cooking, I kind of like the idea of having him prepare me dinner. The whole idea of him being in my kitchen and cooking is just…amazing.

“Just let me do this for you, okay? Please?”

He was pressing my back to the counter now, while his tall frame was hovering above me. “I am a very good cook.” He added while his eyes felt like they were piercing directly into me.

‘It would be a sight to see having him prepare dinner,’ Robyn teased.

To prove that I didn't care he was here, I agreed.

This was how I ended up sitting on the kitchen island while watching him prepare dinner. From time to time, I got down to find him some ingredients, or to show him where a ladle is, and so on.

He tried to make small talk while I simply listened. None of what he was talking about interests me, so I opted to only answer his few questions regarding my work, which was the only part I feel comfortable with.

‘Am I crazy for thinking he looks so hot chopping onions? Sher, let’s just get this straight. I am typically insane tonight. Because excuse me, who the fvck gets hot over seeing a man with a knife, shirtless and chopping onions? I think my fur is sticking to me,’ Robyn rambled.

She never rambles. At least, not until she’s nervous, or at the brink of another one of her s****l tensions. And I’m going to bet everything I have that this was the latter. But she wasn’t kidding about him looking hot.

There was just something…sweet…cute, about watching him cook. Roll the meatballs. Chop the bell peppers. Dice the onions. Everything. The way the veins on his hands flex and jots around as he works is endearing, and at more than once, I found myself licking my lips.

Ugh! I'm turning into a mess.

“How was your flight?” He asked suddenly, as I watched him fry the meatballs, his hand carefully flipping the balls in the pan.

And, he was making conversations again.

“It was good,” I shrugged, suddenly feeling the need to drink some water. “I sat close to a very nice guy,” I added, and I had no idea why I did.

But when he stopped stirring, and a strangled growl left his mouth, I think I knew why I did. And I don't even regret it.

“Nice,” came his dry reply as he resumed cooking. “I bet he has a good sense of humor?”

“Hmmn,” I thought, taking a sip of my water. “I can't really say…” I tapped my finger on the glass before me. “He does seem to. Not that I cared about that though,” I answered truthfully, because throughout the flight, I was mostly listening to music and doing more research. The guy did try to strike conversations with me, but I hated the way he kept staring at my cleavage so I simply ignored him.

“A surprise you didn't smell how bad he was,” he said in a clipped tone.

“Huh?”

He added the tomato puree into hot olive oil and kept his gaze fixed on me. “He has a record for assault. And yet, you seemed utterly comfortable sitting close to him.” He replied.

My stomach dropped, and I instantly felt something coil deep within me. Something dark. Like a flash of what I had seen Tanaya endured growing up. A glimpse of the childhood she thought I never knew about. One she had hidden for years.

But not hidden enough for me to find out.

“How did you know?” I managed to ask, shoving down the gripping fear tightening around my chest. “It's not like we took the same flight.”

“I have my ways,” he simply said, returning to his cooking.

I shut my eyes, willing for that gruesome image to vanish from my brain. But like always, it didn't. Instead, it stayed, as though it had a permanent house in my brain.

How had Adda managed to keep this? To endure it? When only a glimpse of that is still torturing me?

‘No cause of panic, Sher. Deep breaths. Adda is good, and maybe, what we saw may not be what it seems since she never…’

‘She never spoke because she was scared. I saw the fear in her eyes sometimes,’ I cut her off.

But before I could continue, I smelt his scent so close to me.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly, leaning across the table close to me. “You look a bit pale.”

“I'm fine,” I forced a smile. Or better yet, a grimace. “It just didn't sit well with me that you knew who sat close to me. Not that I believe you or…”

“He wore a red beanie, a white shirt and blue jeans. He has a knife cut on his right cheek, and a part of his right ear is off.”

I gaped at him. I didn't know about that ear, but I did see the knife scar on his cheek. But that doesn't matter, what matters is Maverick knew.

“How…”

“Finding out you sat close to him and then you weren't replying to my texts scared me,” he whispered, bringing his thumb to swipe at my bottom lip softly. “I couldn't think straight. And nothing or no one matters until I was sure you were okay.” He finished.

I was completely lost at words, as though my vocal cords had been tied with a string.

“So when I found him, I started by beating the crap out of him before I started asking questions. All I could think of…” he paused, swallowed hard then continued, “all I wanted was to find you safe and sound. It was the only thought on my mind,” then he leaned in, his breath hitting me more, and just when I thought he was going to kiss me, (not that I would have allowed it), he pecked my cheek and moved away.

I let out a ragged breath, watching as he straightened up and stared at me for a few more seconds before looking away.

“I'll need to do something about keeping you safe. Otherwise, I will lose my damn heart before I even have the guts to give it out,” he grumbled.

I didn't reply. Because Nyala knew I had nothing to say, or what the right reaction to show his confession was. All I knew was I was falling fast and hard into the rabbit hole, and it makes no slight sense to me whatsoever.

So, instead of dwelling all on it. I chose to ignore it all and watched as he finished preparing dinner.

We ate a quiet dinner, with neither one of us speaking a single word. As soon as I was done devouring the pasta, I bade him goodnight and escaped to my room.

It took me a long time to finally fall asleep. It was a restless kind of sleep that left me even more exhausted than I was when I got into bed. By the time I woke up in the morning, Maverick was already gone.

But there was a note left on the three settee couch he had slept on.

‘This was one of the best nights I've ever had. Thanks for having me, Kitten.’