Page 21 of Awakening Storm

While she ate, he noted everything about her—her scent drifting over to him, the way her fork clinked and scraped over the plate, her hair brushing her cheek when she tipped her head forward to take another bite.

He gave a controlled inhale and exhale. Gritting his teeth, he stood and stepped away, taking the now-empty dishes with him. As he cleaned up, he resisted looking back at her and taking in her loveliness.

Alone. Alone. Alone.He reminded himself that was the kind of life he was meant to lead. But for the first time ever—maybe because two of his brothers had recently found their mates—he wondered, just for a moment, that perhaps he might have that same kind of companionship someday.

Swallowing, he shrugged off the foolish thoughts. He couldn’t condemn anyone to the life of solitude that was his existence. But regardless, he wanted to keep her from the clutches of Theodora even more than he had before.

A puppy’s bark brought him out of his thoughts. “Takeshi,” he said. He glanced at Rhianna apologetically. “I forgot about the pup.”

Quickly, he set about rectifying the situation. He headed down the hall, out of sight, and opened the door where he heard the dog. Takeshi sprung out the door immediately vaulting to their visitor.

She allowed the pup to leap into her lap where he licked her face. A soft laugh bubbled from her as she petted the animal.

“Takeshi, off,” Aidan commanded. When he didn’t obey, Aidan went over, removed the pup from her lap, and set him on the floor, repeating the instruction. “I’m sorry. I’ve only had him a few days so he has yet to learn.”

Her smile practically reached her ears this time. “Of course. He’s just a puppy.” She leaned forward and stroked the dog’s head. “Takeshi. I like that name.”

For a second, he thought he glimpsed her genuine personality, free from the worries of her current dilemma.

“It meanswarrior,” he explained.

“I like it.”

He felt lightness inside his chest, a pleasant hum. “Since I live alone, my dogs aren’t exactly trained to live with people.”

“You have other animals?”

“Only this one right now.”

She scratched Takeshi’s head. “Well, he’s adorable.”

Aidan didn’t say anything, simply watched her interact with the dog. She was enchanting. Could this be the same female who had landed him on his back a short time ago?

With a mental shake of his head, he stood. He had her safe inside his home now.

So what was he going to do next?