CHAPTER SEVEN
Bas yawned and tried to stretch. He was hindered by the woman who had her head on his chest, as well as her legs wrapped round his like ivy. He purred: the rumbling in his chest caused the sleeping beauty to lift her head up at him. "I made you purr again." A smug smile swept over her face, before she settled back down.
He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, hugging her close. He kissed the top of her head, his leopard warmed to the bone by its current situation.
The phone rang and Bas jumped up to answer it, with Kathryn growling at him. Blowing her a kiss he answered the call.
Lucas Hunters face appeared on the screen. He took one look at Bas's bed hair, his half-dressed appearance and the sleeping women in the bed that could be clearly seen in the corner of the screen.
Lucas grinned. "Didn't take you long, did it?" Bas snarled as Sascha appeared around the side of Lucas, with a baby in her arms.
"Lucas." She scolded her mate, before passing him their daughter. She turned to Bas. "I had a call from Riley saying that he'll be down in about an hour. Hawke was interested in spending some time with Kathryn, before she meets everyone else." She raised an eyebrow at his state of undress, as he stood there, hands on his hips. "May I suggest a shower and some clothes?"
"Sascha, much as everyone adores you, I do believe you have a mean streak." She laughed at him then signed off. Bas walked over to Kathryn and yanked the duvet off. She opened an eye at him.
"I heard what Sascha said. I'm getting up." She grumbled as she stood up. "Bathroom?" He pointed to a door. "Thanks." She grabbed her bag and a towel that was placed on the table. "I like tea, milk and one sugar thanks." She shot a smile over her shoulder.
Kathryn stood in the shower letting the hot water cascade over her body. Oh my God! She had never slept with anyone she barely knew before. She giggled to herself. It was fun though. She searched through Bas's limited shampoos and body washes finding ones she liked. As she washed her hair, she heard the bathroom door open, then close again. "Did you want to play?" She turned to face Bas, who was just wearing his boxers. He nodded at her. She rinsed out her hair, and turned the shower off. Walking out of the shower she pressed her body to his, kissing his lips. He fisted his hands in her hair moaning. Kathryn pulled back, a mischievous grin on her face. "We don't have time." Reaching round him she grabbed two towels, one for her body and one for her hair. He looked her, a mixture of desire and frustration. "Maybe a cold shower will help." She walked away, adding an extra sway to her hips.
Bas groaned. Turning the shower on to coldest setting, he gasped as the water fell on him. His claws sliced out as he tried to fight his erection. He won – barely. He washed thoroughly and grabbed a towel on the side. Walking into the bedroom, he was Kathryn perched on the bed sat in her underwear, wireless hair dryer in hand. He felt his cock twinge. Best get some tea and coffee on. The urge to grab her and mark her was overwhelming. Grabbing boxers, dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt he pulled them on quickly and got to the kitchen, just as Mercy and Riley walked in.
"Sascha said you'd be an hour." He frowned at them. Riley shrugged and took a seat, as Mercy sniffed the air and scowled. Bas ignored Mercy's stare and began to make breakfast. Toast, fried eggs, and bacon were placed on the table, just as Kathryn entered the room.
"Good morning." She smiled shyly at Mercy and Riley, before slipping into a seat beside Bas. "It looks and smells divine."
Mercy rolled her eyes as Bas smiled back at Kathryn. She knew something had happened last night. A tug down the mating bond snapped her head round to look at Riley. A frown marred his face. She smiled sweetly at him, before placing two of everything on her plate. "I'm hungry all the time now."
Everyone laughed. "It's a family thing." Bas grinned at Kathryn as he put a whole sausage in his mouth.
Kathryn shook her head, before taking two pieces of toast and buttering them. Bas watched she cut each piece into a neat triangle and took a dainty bite. "Do you want eggs and bacon?" She shook her head, her fringe falling across one eye.
"Not a massive fan of either, to be honest. I like poached eggs though."
Bas frowned. "You should have said - I would've made you something else." His arm came to rest on the back of her chair. Oblivious to his sister's glare, he tapped her lightly on the lip. "Anything."
He saw colour streak over her cheek bones and down her neck. "I'll be Ok." He watched her eyes dart to Riley and Mercy, then back to him. He felt her silent request to leave the matter.
He dropped his arm and went back to his breakfast. "What are your plans today Riley?"
Riley swallowed his orange juice. "Hawke wants to meet Kathryn and set up her lecture. We have a very long list of interested people, especially our librarian." He looked at Kathryn, "My brother Drew also wants to meet you, as you're good with submissive wolves."
Kathryn nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. "It'll be good to lecture again. Recently I've only been using my Psy talents. I really miss the pups." Her sigh was deep, and it caused an aching in Bas's heart. He had to stop himself from sweeping her up into his arms, and holding her close. It took all his leopards' will power.
Kathryn finished putting the plates in the dishwasher, a task she had insisted on doing, and went to the bedroom to get some shoes and a jacket. Bas followed her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pressed a light kiss to her neck. She could feel his erection against her bum. She turned in his arms and kissed his lip. He moved his head down to nuzzle at her neck, lazy cat-like strokes across her pulse. "Behave; your sister will be able to scent you on me." The whisper in his ear did nothing to discourage him. Bas bite down on her neck, than ran his tongue over the mark.
Bas lifted his head up and grinned at her 'I'm amused but I won't let you know' expression. He tapped at her butt as she bent down to put on her shoes.
Her scowl was one of amusement. She was more than ready to play with this wolf, just not when his sister could scent it.
On the front porch Riley rested his head upon Mercy's. "You shouldn't judge her till you know her." He silenced her protest with a soft kiss. "She's new, give her chance."
Mercy threw her nose in the air. "What would you do if it was one of your siblings?"
Riley tensed, remembering the time when he hadn't been able to stop the things hurting Brenna, unable to take her pain away. Judd had done that though, and he had never seen his sister more grounded. Drew on the other hand was full of mischief. Also affected by Brenna's ordeal, it had taken a dominant Lieutenant to bring his playful side out again.
"It's hard. I hate seeing Drew or Brenna in any danger or pain. But their happiness now makes it worth it. I'm not saying be all pally with her. Just get to know her first."
Riley pushed a firm kiss to her temple, and walked to the car. Kathryn was already stood there. He guessed she had heard what he had said but didn't let on.
"You ready to tangle with some wolves?" His expression was blank, but the teasing in his voice was evident.
Kathryn looked at him, hair ruffled from the wind. "Bring it on."
