18.

My first impulse was to say no. But that would automatically show him that I cared what he did with his life, or that his actions had hurt me. It all confuses me. So, instead of doing any of that, I did the one thing that I was good at.

Masking. Mirroring what I have seen around me.

"I have only the couch to spare. It will have to do," I grumbled.

He grinned down at me with his teeth flashing, and as stupid as my brain is, I was knocked out by his beautiful smile.

"Do you, by chance, have anything I can change into?"

"You didn't bring any of your clothes?"

He scratched his head and looked away. "I told you I wasn't thinking straight," he answered quietly.

"And why is that exactly?" I asked, crossing my arms across my chest.

He looked like he was going to say something, but then clamped his mouth shut and just smirked at me. "Because I could think of nothing but you. I didn't have enough time to pack, so I'll have to go get some clothes."

Great. Really great.

"My clothes won't fit you."

"I bet the shirts wouldn't. Don't you have a hoodie?"

"Just one. And it is my favorite so you won't get it."

"I see," he murmured, then suddenly began to pull down his trousers. "I guess it's fine with you if I stay in my shorts and shirtless, then?" He asked, but there was something mischievous glinting in his eyes.

Stupid brute.

"You can stay naked for all I care," I replied with nonchalance before I slipped away from his caged embrace and made my way to my bedroom. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll be back in a moment." I added.

I scurried away, my heart still in my throat. I needed the space because this has been one hell of an unexpected encounter.

By the time I made it to my bed and sat by the edge, my feet were literally shaking. This is what I mean when I say that I hate surprises. They leave me feeling exposed, with an uncomfortable feeling as though something is crawling on my skin, or the tightness in my chest that wouldn't go away for a long while. I also find it extremely hard to catch my breath or focus my attention. Everything just feels overwhelming and out of control. Surprises mean you do unprepared things and lack focus on important things, especially for this certain type where the actions Maverick is showing me now are a direct opposite to what he showed me last night.

Totally and utterly confusing.

'I agree. I can't say what game he's playing. Hell, if that encounter wasn't exhausting. But, you handled it well, Sher,' Robyn's voice softened. 'You handled it like the pro you've always been and I can't be more proud of you. If it were me, I'm certain I'd have rubbed my itching tail against his wet body.'

I laughed, one that caused my entire body to shake with the impact.

'You're not serious.'

'Oh, but I am. Did you see the way he was looking at us?'

'Duh! Of course I did,' I rolled my eyes.

'That caused the start of the wetness. What made it worse, however, was that neck thing he did. Damn! I wish our relationship wasn't this strained, I'd have definitely asked him to always do this. I might have even returned that action.'

My hand unconsciously went to my neck, right where his lips had been a few moments ago, and the same spot he had sucked on last night. Truthfully, I loved it too. I loved the scrape of his beard against my neck, the warmth of his breath, and the feel of his lips closed right there.

Right where my mating mark was supposed to be. The same spot which now had a small bruise from when he had sucked on it yesterday.

'I'm going to ask you again, Sher. Is it possible for a wolf to get high? Because I swear I am. It was nearly impossible to control my primal instinct not to jump on him right there.'

'I guess it is something possible - only for special wolves like you,' I teased.

Robyn howled happily, before she nuzzled me through the bond. 'So proud of you, girl. Now, we just need to get through the night in one piece.'

'You bet we do,' I answered, as I stood up and walked to my closet. I have nothing that would fit him, except for shorts that once belonged to Tanaya, which are too big for me. I took the shorts out and stared at myself once in the mirror, taking in my now calm and collected appearance, before I made my way back into the living.

However, when I got there, Mav was no longer in the living room. Had he left already?

"In here," he called behind me.

I whirled around and found him standing in my kitchen, still wearing his drenched shorts while stirring at something in the pot.

Excuse me?

"I am hungry. I thought that you might be as well. Especially since I saw some baking ingredients out on the counter. Were you planning to bake something?"

"If I had not been interrupted, yes, I was planning to."

He smiled. A dazzling kind of smile that made my heart dance a little.

"Then allow me to apologize by making dinner for us. I've already started on it so you might as well just go have a seat while I finish."

"I don't eat food made by strangers," I grumbled, stepping into the kitchen and shoving the shorts into his arms. "I'll handle my meal, you can make yours."

"Don't be stubborn," he murmured, taking hold of my hand before I could move away. "I would hardly consider myself a stranger, Kitten."

The kitchen already has an amazing aroma building in it and despite my hesitation to eat something he was cooking, I kind of like the idea of having him prepare me dinner. The whole idea of him being in my kitchen and cooking is just...amazing.

"Just let me do this for you, okay? Please?"

He was pressing my back to the counter now, while his tall frame was hovering above me. "I am a very good cook." He added while his eyes felt like they were piercing directly into me.

'It would be a sight to see having him prepare dinner,' Robyn teased.

To prove that I didn't care he was here, I agreed.