Page 26 of Bound

Slowly, I move over to where Hunter and Bain rest on individual logs and sit right between them on the ground, watching Bain tend to the meat as I lick my lips.

Hunter chuckles. “It’s almost ready, baby girl. A few more minutes, plus a few minutes to let it cool down.” I let out a huff. Smelling it makes me want it now.

Bain lets out a small grunt, and I turn to look up at him. He stares down at me silently. I notice he doesn’t talk much, and I’m unable to read anything in those pale blue eyes of his.

What is he thinking when he looks at me? Is he remembering the way he held me in the water yesterday?

Because I am.

Nope. I shake my head at myself. Not this wolf. I do notneed to be thinking about all five of these hunky men touching me and caring for me. That would be greedy.

Not greedy. They’re ours.

Internally, I frown at my own thoughts. It’s not that I’m not warming up to these guys. But I do know one little broken wolf can’t keep five amazing shifters all to her greedy self.

Says who?

I decide to ignore that question as I continue to stare up at Bain. I feel the urge to make him smile. I haven’t seen it yet. What would make this lumbersnack happy?

His hands rest on his knees, and I slowly lean forward and consider licking him, but get scared at the last second. He might think that’s gross as he’s about to eat. Instead, I gently push my nose under his hand so my head rests in his lap, his hand on my head, all while never breaking eye contact with him.

His eyes almost widen imperceptibly, then the corner of his mouth pulls up as his fingers start to stroke my face and neck.

Internally, I preen at getting that small reaction from him.

After a minute, I wiggle my body closer to him so I can lean against his side, and he lifts his arm so I can get more comfortable. He wraps his arm around me as he pets my neck, face, and head with both hands, staring at me with what I think is amusement the whole time.

He’s enjoying this.

I wonder why he likes it so much. I know why I like it; his fingers feel amazing in my fur. It’s so relaxing I might actually drift off to sleep...

I wake a little startled when I hear Chase speaking excitedly about breakfast being ready. When did he get back? Oh, Maddox is here too. I must have really been out of it. I lift my head but stay leaning against Bain, and he keeps one arm around me, moving his fingers through the fur of my neck and side where his hand rests.

Maddox frowns as he stares at Bain’s fingers, like he doesn’t understand what he’s doing.

He’s petting me, duh.

Hunter passes meat to all the men, and I’m ready to yip to let him know he forgot me when Bain holds out a piece of meat in front of my nose with his free hand. I look at it, then up at him, and he juts his chin in the direction of the meat, so I gently bite it from his fingers. It tastes so good that I lick my lips and look at him for more. His lip twitches and I practically swoon.

I’ll make it my mission to make this man smile. He pulls more meat off the bone and offers it to me. I take it happily. Happyandfeeding me? Maybe I have died and gone to heaven. Although if this were heaven, I’d be in my human form and sitting in his lap while he feeds me. Preferably naked.

Where did that thought come from?

I try to forget about my new boy-crazy side as I focus on the food. We spend the rest of our meal like this, Bain feeding me while the others watch with a combination of amusement and confusion, but I don’t care. I’m happy.

That thought sobers me. When was the last time I felt happy? And why does making Bain happy make me feel that way? I don’t know anything about him other than how quiet he is and that he looks good chopping wood.

But that isn’t true, is it? I know he is very protective of his pack, that he’s loyal and caring.

I watch the fire while he feeds and strokes me until I’m full, shaking my head when he offers more. He finishes what he has and throws the bones into the fire. Next, he starts massaging my head, neck, and ears with both hands, and it feels so nice that I rest my head back in his lap and close my eyes.

I shouldn’t let him pet me like a dog, but I love it. I decide there is no harm in letting him continue… just for a few minutes, then I’ll give him some space. I’m not his mate and can’t let my defenses down for too long here. I still don’t know much about them or the reasons behind their actions.

But the more time I spend around them, the more my walls seem to be crumbling down, and I can’t decide if I’m okay with that or not.

Opening my eyes slowly, I realize I’m no longer facing the fire. Instead, I’m looking at someone’s shirt-covered stomach. It has to be Bain’s based on the size. I tilt my eyes upward to confirm it’s him, and sure enough, there he is, watching me with those penetrating blue eyes.

I’m basically curled up in his lap. How on earth did I get here? And how do I even fit? I suppose I am a small wolf and he is a big man, but it’s still surprising.