Page 15 of Burning Embers
Just now, those lips are quirked in a half smile, one that makes her dark eyes glitter.
That smile…is directed at me.
Me.
Fuck.
Focus, Ethan! Do your damn job!
“Right. Let me show you some of the newest models…” I lose myself in all of the tech talk, momentarily forgetting that the woman standing before me is my mate.
Okay. That’s a lie. It’s impossible to forget completely. Her sweet scent funnels through me like a tornado, but instead of leaving behind nothing but destruction and chaos, I feel an innate sense of serenity.
We settle on the newest iPhone—much to Izzy’s displeasure—and a rose-gold MacBook. At first, I think it’s because she’s not a fan of the Apple brand, but then I realize it’s because of the cost. I hear her whispered conversation with Hale, even from where I stand on the opposite side of the store, installing a few programs for her.
“It’s too much,” she says.
If I were a normal human, I wouldn’t be able to hear their hushed voices. But I’m not normal, and I’m certainly not human.
Should I feel guilty for eavesdropping? Probably.
Do I stop? Unfortunately, I don’t.
What is this girl doing to me?
“Nonsense.” Hale places a hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
Unlike when Jake touched her, I don’t feel the need to race across the room and rip him limb from limb. Maybe it’s because Hale is already mated and old enough to be her father. Jake, on the other hand…
A growl slips free unbidden, and I immediately clamp my lips together to stop the sound.
Fuck.
“I don’t have any money to pay you back.” Izzy sounds tired.
Out of my periphery, I watch her run her fingers through her blonde locks.
What I wouldn’t give to wrap those lambent gold strands around my fist and?—
What? No! Focus!
“You don’t need to, kid.” He gives her shoulder another squeeze before releasing her. “We’re a family. And this is what families do.”
My heart thuds strangely at his words.
Family.
I used to have a family.
And now…
I shake my head to clear it.
Izzy and Hale meet me at the counter, the former shuffling from foot to foot and the latter smiling warmly. I’ve always liked Hale. He may be in a different pack than my own, but he never allowed such petty rivalries to impact his behavior towards me and the others. It’s for that reason alone that everyone adores him and his husband.
Without asking for the total, Hale hands over his credit card, ignoring Izzy’s tight-lipped frown.
Another strange pang reverberates through me.