Page 17 of Saving Stella
She stepped into his arms as he opened them, and pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
He took in a deep breath. “Your scent is … lavender and sage.”
“My scent?” Pulling back, she craned her neck up at him.
He touched a finger to his nose. “Lycans smell differently from humans, it’s one way you can tell if someone else is one of us,” he explained. “Right, Charley?”
She nodded. “Each of us has a unique scent, though family members share similar notes. For example, you and Devon share the same lavender and sage scent, but Devon’s has a tinge of leather.”
“Oh.” She nodded at his chest. “Can I …”
“Go ahead.”
Closing her eyes, she leaned in and took a sniff. “Oh! Yes. I can smell it. So, I smell something like that?”
He nodded.
“Here,” Charley offered her own wrist. “Try it.”
“It’s …” A curious wave of déjà vu hit her. Maybe her sense of smell wasn’t as developed as theirs or perhaps she’d concussed her head when she fell earlier because she swore she detected a similar peaches and coffee smell on Charley as she did on the stranger who saved her, though the fruity notes were stronger. However, on Charley, it didn’t have the same knee-weakening effect.
Yeah, the near-accident probably messed up her brain or something.
“Oh, yeah.” Perhaps she’d feel better later.
“Sharing scents is an intimate act,” Charley continued. “Only done—oh shit, I don’t mean to ramble. This is supposed to be your time to bond after all.” She tsked. “I shouldn’t have come in the first place, I’m intruding.”
“No, babe,” Devon protested.
“Not at all,” Stella said at the same time, then she chuckled. “Truth be told, I was so nervous coming here.”
“So was I,” Devon admitted, then grinned at Charley. “She’s been assuring me this whole time that you don’t hate me.”
“Hate you?” Stella was taken aback. “I could never hate you.”
“I’m glad.” He cleared his throat. “Um, Henry had his staff prepare us a late lunch slash early dinner. Sorry about the odd time, we didn’t get in until early this morning. Mr. Owens needed time to clear the office so we could sneak in without anyone seeing us.”
“It’s fine, my stomach’s still on Las Vegas time,” she joked. “So, we’re probably just in time for lunch.”
They walked over to the long side table in the corner where trays of food had been laid out, buffet style.
“Wow, there’s enough food for twenty people,” Stella joked.
Charley chuckled and rubbed her belly. “I am eating for two.” She and Devon exchanged warm glances. “You go ahead, Stella, or else I’ll end up finishing everything before you get a chance to eat.”
Chapter 3
Charley hadn’t been kidding—her two plates were piled high with food, which she happily demolished in one sitting.
“See? She won’t leave you a crumb,” Devon stage-whispered, which earned him a playful elbow in the ribs from Charley, who sat beside him at the tablecloth-covered dining table set up by the window.
Stella laughed. “You’re a beast. It’s not polite to comment on a woman’s eating habits.”
“Thanks, Stel.” Charley raised her water glass, which Stella clinked with her own. “But it’s all right. I am carrying my True Mate’s baby, which is why I’m starving all the time.”
Stella had been surprised how comfortable and at ease she felt around Devon, laughing and chatting with him. Maybe it was because they’d been texting for a while now, but whatever the reason, she was so relieved there wasn’t awkwardness between them.
Charley, too, turned out to be very nice and down-to-earth. Stella was glad Devon wasn’t with one of those stuck-up models or actresses as many rock stars usually were. Stella was happy to answer their questions about her job, her life, and her parents, while she mostly asked them about the tour and the album they were apparently working on.