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I almost drop the mugs.
I don’t miss the double meaning, and I stop myself from whimpering.
Thankfully, I’m able to navigate to the couch without dropping anything and hand Landon his mug. Our fingers brush as he takes it from me, and electricity shoots up my arm.
“Thank you,” he says, keeping eye contact with me as he puts his mouth on the cup.
I fight back a whimper and make my way to the opposite side of the couch, yanking the throw blanket off the top of it. Wrapping myself in it, I lean back against the couch cushions and meet Landon’s smile.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asks again, the dimples reappearing. There’s not as much concern in his tone this time, and my stomach churns with anticipation.
He knows.
“Yeah. I think I’m getting a cold,” I lie, wrapping my arms around my knees and leaning back against the armrest. Thankfully, I deep cleaned the couch after River’s visit, and no more slick stains are visible.
That would make for an awkward conversation with Landon.
He holds my gaze for too long, his eyes searching mine. “If you say so,” he says finally. Then he pulls out his phone and scrolls through his notes.
“Wait. Where’s River?” I ask suddenly. “He was coming too, right?”
“He will be,” Landon assures me. “He’s meeting with Ben right now.”
I frown. “Ben told me River hated him.”
Landon sighs. “River hates everyone, including me. But Ben was able to have the department dust for fingerprints on the car, and he’s meeting with River to discuss it.”
My ears perk up. “Really? They did?”
“River pulled strings on his end, too. We have connections to forensics teams,” he says. “It’s not a lot, but we’re doing what we can.”
Once again, I’m reminded of how lucky I am that they’re helping me.
“I can’t thank you enough,” I say sincerely as my heart beats rapidly in my chest. “Both of you, doing so much for me. It means the world.” I shiver as I finish my sentence, chills wracking my body.
I can only put off my Heat symptoms for so long, and they’re starting to show themselves again.
Landon smiles and pats the space next to him. “Come sit with me,” he says softly. “You’re freezing.”
I don’t realize I’m tearing up until one falls down my cheek. “I…” my voice trails off as a cramp hits me.
“Skylar. Come here.” He doesn’t demand like River does, but I still sense the command in his voice. “I can’t in good conscience let you curl yourself up in a ball to stay warm. Let me take care of you.”
Let me take care of you.
Landon is so kind, so good, that it makes my heart ache.
“I…I could be contagious,” I bite out. “You don’t want to get sick.”
“I have an immune system of steel,” he chuckles. “Whatever you have, I promise I won’t catch it.”
Yeah, because Heats aren’t contagious, and you’re an Alpha.
Still, I stay curled up in the corner, unsure of how I might act if I get any closer to him.
My inner Omega howls in despair, desperate to be touched.
Desperate to be loved.
