Page 92 of Twice Bitten

He removed his arm and reached up to remove the makeshift shelter above us. Watery light filtered in as Silas sat up. I curled into the fetal position and tried to hide all my naughty bits. My rear end was just going to have to suffer the indignity of being bared to the Shifter King.

Silas snorted softly. “Packs have zero compunctions about nudity, Alex.”

“Up until twelve hours ago, I was a witch with a lot of compunctions about nudity, Silas.”

A flash of a smile as he reached out of the hole for something. “Fair enough.”

He shuffled something around until soft fabric landed on top of me. “Shirt.”

Another heavier item fell. “Pants.”

Two more thumps. “Underwear and socks. Shoes are iffy, but there’s a pair of boots up there for you when you’re ready.”

Without me asking, Silas climbed out of the hole. “I’ll wait for you. Come out when you’re ready.”

When I was sure he was gone, I rolled over and hurriedly dressed, grimacing at the underwear. I balled that up and put it into the pants pocket, until I realized they’d brought jeans and the thought of denim rubbing against my squishy parts made me swiftly fish the underwear back out and put them on.

We were supernaturals. We didn’t suffer the same diseases as humans did. Wearing someone else’s underwear couldn’t harm me.

Unless they belonged to Beckett…

Shut up, brain.

When I was dressed, I stood up to my full height and peered out to see Silas sitting cross-legged against a tree. He rose in a graceful motion and came over, holding a hand out.

I took it, allowing him to guide me. When I was halfway out, he crouched, wrapping his hands around my waist and hauling me up.

He was big and warm and smelled delicious.

Mmmm.

His hands lingered. I tilted my face up and blinked.

Damn. “Stuck in a dirt hole” Silas was somehow even sexier than “Shifter King at my door” Silas. His hazel eyes were brightin the low light, and the dusting of stubble over his cheeks and jaw made my fingers itch to touch him.

I cleared my throat and stepped back. “Thank you.” My voice was huskier than it should have been.

“You’re welcome.” Silas’s eyes glittered.

Shifter senses were comparable to a vampire’s, maybe even better. The bastard knew I thought he was hot. At least for this morning.

“Please pass on my thanks for the clothing. I’ll have it cleaned and sent back to the Hollow in a few days.”

Silas’s home wasn’t as secretive as a vampire’s Hive, but few people ever visited without an explicit welcome.

“I wouldn’t recommend doing so. Your scent will bring up some unwanted questions, and I’ll have to approach things carefully. Keep the clothing for now.”

I frowned. “Even if I wash them?”

“Depends on the detergent. Better safe than sorry.”

“Alright then. I’ll hold onto them.” I took a step back to leave and immediately realized I had no idea where the hell I was.

“Before I take you back to your car, I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”

My shoulders slumped. I’d expected this. “My answer is still no.”

Silas’s lips quirked. “You tossing me out on my ass was a strong clue.”