Chapter 82
Derrick moved the ostentatious seat intended for me and set my chair in its stead.
As he put me back on the level floor, my hands went to his shoulders, and I met his stare. My breath stuck in my throat. His facial features were as harsh as steel, and I found myself reaching out to try and soften them. He leaned in close enough for a kiss, the tension in his body melting away at my contact.
"Don't do that to me again." He replied, pulling away from me and taking a seat next to me while the butterflies in my stomach twisted.
I shivered at the thought of his absence, and I let out a breathy whine. Now that I was standing right next to him, his yearning stare was on me again, and I cowered under it. He knew where my mind was and where it was headed because his eyes followed the length of me before his lips gradually turned into a smirk.
As he nestled me beneath the table and gradually drew me nearer to him, his hand sought for the edge of my chair. Later, as he started plating food, his hands moved across the table. As he filled our plates, I noticed that he was dressed more formally than when I had left him earlier in the day. The black button-up fit well on him, and I could see his arm muscles tensing against the fabric.
"Eat." His knowing glance caused my cheeks to blush as he gave me an instruction.
He had piled my plate high with everything I could possibly want, so I had to force myself to stop drooling as I drew my eyes away from him. I looked at the table in front of me, and then I looked at Gabriel, Erica, and Morgan, who were meeting my eyes and giving me a knowing smile. There was nothing on anybody else's plate, and when I looked over to see what was on my plate, there was nothing on it either.
Until they found a partner, it was usual for the alpha to take the first bite.
With all eyes on me, the mate link was drawing me in one direction.
After everything that had transpired today, including everything I planned to do, he deserved to be treated as my partner for a short while.
I slowly prodded it with some chicken using my fork before bringing it to his lips. His eyes grew wide at the gesture and the display of love. Wolves were not to be fed carelessly; it was a privilege reserved for mates and relatives.
Rather than accepting my contribution as easily as I had anticipated, he made a show out of it. The noises of his gratitude vibrated on my skin as he moved my hand to his mouth, and his fingers wrapped around my wrist. The room was filled with gratification. After their alpha had taken his first bite, the other pack members eventually moved to begin eating.
He took the fork from me and topped it with more food from my plate, and this time there was no one around to see the color get dark again in his eyes. This time, when he brought the forkful to my lips, I was astounded by the unwavering resolve in his eyes.
"My wolf wants to serve you just as much as you served us; take the bite." Gently and sensually, he said.
I leaned forward and took the meal into my mouth, sighing as the flavors reached my taste buds because I was too hungry to be picky with him at this time. I rolled my eyes as his fingers tightened around my thigh in response to the sound.
"Thank you—I haven't eaten much since you fed me breakfast, and I'm starving." With a disapproving tone, he returned my fork to me and proceeded to heap additional food onto my plate. Though I found my lack of care hilarious, he didn't seem to share my laughter at my need for him to take care of me.
It was unsettling to me that he was watching me eat with his plate empty.
"Aren't you going to have anything?" He shook his head, and I looked up, his eyes already on me.
"Only if you'll feed me." I put my fork back in his mouth, wondering if he thought I would disagree.
It took him a minute to realize what I was doing before he accepted my offer. After a bit, as I started talking him through everything on my plate and asking him about the dishes he loved and didn't like, he slumped back into his seat. It was a small gesture that gave me a sense of fulfillment and made me forget how bleak the day's events had been.
"Aren't you going to tell me about your friend?" When he did say it, I looked across the table.
Gazing at Vera as she laughed with those seated at her table lifted my spirits.
I swung around in my chair, my hands encircling his chair's arm. Though I had believed he would consent to it, I hadn't asked him about accommodating her.
As his hand proceeded to sweep the hair away from my face, I began, "I was wondering—" "I wanted her to stay at the pack house until the problem with the rogues is sorted." He hummed quietly as I spoke too fast, but with his intense gaze on me, I was losing my train of thought.
"Erica will sort out a room for her." Without wasting a beat, he responded. Then he fell silent once more as he tried to contact me in every possible manner.
It astonished me that, at this time, he hadn't dragged me into his lap.
Until everyone had gotten up and Derrick had moved from his seat, I had taken to leaning my head against his shoulder.
An hour ago, Vera and Erica had departed, both of us equally fatigued.
Derrick didn't seem to have any plans to move, and the room had remained empty for some time. With a yawn, I moved away from him, stretching my body, and as I raised my head off his shoulder, he rose slowly and exhaled heavily.
"I could carry you if you're too tired to walk." I sounded annoyed as he spoke, towering over me.
"Don't you dare?" I attempted to wipe the tiredness from my eyes and warned him.
"I think you'll find that I'm a very daring man." He replied in a soft tone, and had I not been so exhausted, I would have understood more of his flirtatious tone.
He leaned over me, but I was faster than him and managed to grasp hold of his hand. His hand closed over mine, and I relished the sensation for a brief instant.
"How am I supposed to hold your hand if you pick me up?" Observing how my hand had been lodged in his, he scowled.
"You make a good point." I scoffed as he yanked me out of my chair, causing my legs to sway as he brought me up against his chest.
He gasped as my body merged with his, and in that instant I knew that the night between us was going to be a long one.