Page 50 of Crystal Luna
“I’ll help you, Daddy,” Mia quickly offered.
“Well come on then, princess. Let’s get started.”
Heath had forgotten how much he loved seeing Velora with Curtis. He was a completely different boy around her. They had a connection that Heath had never been able to make.
She was sweet and patient, but stern when she needed to be. They talked on and on about books and planned a trip to the library for some time soon, but only if Curtis kept his grades up. Mia was quick to abandon the vegetables and join their conversation, but Heath didn’t mind. It gave him a chance to admire from afar.
He only moved once he was invited to add toppings to his own pizza. Mia insisted Velora share with her, and that was when Velora bashfully admitted she liked pineapple on hers. Heath made a mental note of that for the future.
While the pizzas were in the oven, Heath sent the kids off to get changed so they could watch a movie while they ate.
As soon as it was quiet, he leaned next to Velora against the counter and studied her closely. “How are you?”
“Good. Everything’s healed well.”
“And mentally?”
She pulled herself onto the counter, letting her legs swing in front of her. “Still a little weird, I guess. I’d never been in a fight before. Well, not one where I was able to fight back.”
“Do you still see yourself as a warrior?”
“I do,” she answered right away, and a grin spread on her face. “I liked that side of me. I’m just not used to her yet.”
“I enjoy watching you grow. I mean I would’ve preferred for that not to have happened, but I like seeing who you’re becoming.”
She ducked in an attempt to hide her blush, but it didn’t escape Heath’s watchful eye. “Thank you.”
Before they could get further into the conversation, Mia bound into the room with her brush in one hand and hair ties in the other. “Can you braid them again?” she asked Heath. Believe it or not, he was glad she hadn’t insisted on Velora doing it. He’d put a lot of effort into learning how to do his daughter’s hair. It was something he took great pride in.
“Of course, princess.”
With the braids finished, they sat down to a movie and stuffed their faces with pizza before he sent the little ones to bed. He tucked them in, and then found Velora in the kitchen cleaning up.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I don’t mind. I contributed to the mess so…” She trailed off and shrugged. “I should be getting home. I’ll see you around.”
She had to walk past him to reach the door, and he couldn’t help but reach for her wrist. She froze, her eyes widening as she followed his arm up from where his hand touched her.
“Why don’t you stay a little longer?” The vulnerability in his voice was far more present than he was comfortable with.
He could see the wheels turning in her head. The second it took her to answer felt like hours. She stammered and dropped her gaze from his. “I—I’m not…” She sighed and tensed in his touch. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
He let go of her wrist immediately and stepped aside, wanting her to know that he wouldn’t keep her against her will.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Then she rushed out the front door.
Shit.
He’d crossed a line he’d promised himself he never would. And now she was clearly uncomfortable.
Fuck.
He’d messed up. It felt like he’d let her down, just as her old pack had done. He prayed to the goddess that Velora wouldn’t think that being with her had been his intention all along. Because it hadn’t been. Yes, he’d been attracted to her, but that attraction had nothing to do with bringing her into the pack.
As usual when he was upset, he buried himself in work. He was so deep in his thoughts that he bristled when a shadow appeared in the doorway. He hadn’t even heard the door.
He glanced up, and his heart stuttered. Velora stood in the doorframe, with bright red cheeks and a book pressed to her chest.