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“My first lover hasn’t yet made an offer.”
He stilled, staring down at me with a hint of vulnerability in his glacier eyes. “And if he did?”
“I believe he’d have to try it to find out what I might say,” I said softly. Heat coasted through my veins. I couldn’t wait to see where this might go next.
“Yourpotentiallover has been waiting for you to say she’s ready,” he said gruffly, his sapphire gaze locked on mine.
“Perhaps I’ve also been waiting since mypotentiallover made a vow not to get involved with anyone.”
“A vow that he has thrown away.”
“Completely?”
He grinned. “Completely.”
“Then I’m ready.”
“Just like that?” he said, his eyes widening.
“Just like that.”
“Mate,” he growled against my throat. “You smell wonderful, like the sea and chocolate, and just you.”
This felt right. So right.
“Mate,” I said with all the emotions buried deep within my heart. “If you stay at my place tonight, we’ll have to be careful.”
“My home isn’t an option. We need to stay close to your grandmother in case she needs us.”
I loved that he cared enough for her to feel that way.
He frowned, clearly thinking. “I could drive away and park my truck in the supermarket lot a few blocks over. I could walk back if this means you’re inviting me into your apartment.”
“I am.” I winked at him. “Let’s go back to my apartment, where we can talk about what my potential first lover might have to offer.”
“I don’t want to talk.” He pivoted and strode from the water and up the shore. “I want to show.”
16
ELRIK
“You’re like a spring thaw to my endless winter, both gentle and relentless,” I said as I carried her along the beach and toward the bench where we’d left our shoes.
“That’s so sweet, Elrik,” she sighed against my skin.
“Your warmth softens the ice surrounding my heart, carving out a sanctuary where none existed before.” Now that the damn had let loose, the words poured from me. “My ice-bound soul trembles at the thought of showing you how much you’re coming to mean to me.”
I only paused to scoop up our shoes, handing them to her one by one.
“I can walk,” she said with a laugh.
“Do you want to?” The last thing I wanted to do was make her feel embarrassed. I sensed she was as worried about her reputation as her grandmother.
“I like being in your arms, Elrik.” Her eyes scanned the area. “We’re alone. And I find I actually don’t care whatanyone else thinks.”
“I like holding you in my arms.”
“I can’t say that anyone has ever swooped me up like this before, let alone carried me more than a foot or so.”
