Page 75 of Found Objects

Justin was staring at me, and I wasn’t quite sure what I was seeing in his expression. He was certainly angry, but there was regret mixed in there as well. He kept glancing over at Ondine, and I had the sudden urge to protect her, which was ridiculous. She was a formidable creature.

“Go fetch whatever is needed,” she said to me. “I will remain here, at the threshold, and stand guard over your home and the boy.”

No one tried to say that she alone wouldn’t be much of a guardian. They knew better now. We stood there, unmoving, and watched them all leave.

EIGHT

The relief I felt just seeing duffel bags, suitcases, and clothes on hangers being walked into my home was amazing.

Our home.

I shivered watching Cole.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Looking at you.” I stared at the beautiful man. We hadn’t had a moment alone since we’d confirmed that he was my mate, and I wanted one.

“Well, maybe you could help me instead? That way we can get this done so I can go get us something to eat or—do you cook?”

It took me a second to process what he’d said. “What?”

“Can you cook?”

I squinted at him. “Of course I can cook. Who can’t cook?”

“Me, for one.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. It’s not a character deficit or something, it’s just not something I’m good at.”

“Well, then you’re fortunate for the second time today,” Ondine told Cole. “For Merritt is an excellent cook. The things he enjoys, he masters. Like pruning those little bonsai trees. There are several in here, and they’re all ancient.”

“That is very good news,” Cole told me with a grin that made his eyes warm. “Because we need to wake Evan up soon so we can feed him. Is it all right if I put his things in the guest room?”

“It will be his room now,” I told him. “You do whatever you want.”

The possessive way he was looking at me was making my breath catch.

“So it’s you, me, and Evan here, as well as Teague and Ondine.”

“Both of them are here sporadically, but they’ll always have a place with me.”

“Oh no, of course. I’m looking forward to getting to know them both.”

“Well, Ondine you will, but Teague is…”

“Difficult,” Ondine chimed in.

“Is he?”

She nodded.

“He’s not,” I assured Cole. “He’s just quiet.”

“And difficult,” she repeated, crossing her arms.

Cole looked from me to her, then back again. “Some history I’m missing? Lover’s quarrel?”