“Yeah, I had Cass put their pajamas on. We’ve got to go,” she replies and gives me a quick, one-armed hug. Stella and Aiden come in and give me a goodnight kiss before leaving with Masen’s parents.

Once the door shuts, I take a moment to see the area is clean, so I drop the towel I was using to dry dishes and head to Masen’s office where I know he is talking with Sniffer. I hear their muffled voices as I near the door. When I get closer, I hear Masen say, “Would be good for both of you. He’s not happy either. He hasn’t been happy in a long time, Cass.”

I make sure my steps are heard over their conversation so they have ample warning of my arrival. I know neither would care if I heard, but I’d hate to intrude. I peek my head around the door, and both men’s eyes are on me. “I’m beat. I’m going to bed.”

Masen looks at me sympathetically and nods. “I’ll be in soon, Little One.” I smile to myself, as I wave goodnight to Sniffer, that after all these years it’s still rare for Masen to call me by my name.

My shoulders are achy, and I’m feeling a bit feverish as I make my way to our room. I hope I’m not getting sick. Shifters are immune to most illnesses, but the common cold can affect us just as easily as a human. I’m grateful I made it through the party, but I hope I don’t get sick for our family vacation. I’ve been planning this getaway for months. Masen’s family, including Sniffer and a few of our close friends, will be joining us for ten days away from the pack, and I surely don’t want to be sick for it.

By the time I’m in the room, I’m lightheaded and wish Masen was here to shower with me. I strip my jeans and shirt off, dropping them to the floor as I turn the water on just above cold. My bra and panties fall carelessly before I step under the spray.

I shiver when the barely warm water hits my skin. My body is achy and sluggish as I stand under the downpour.

Minutes later, I feel every drop of the now frigid water as it pelts my over sensitive flesh. I’m still burning up though. I feel even hotter with every minute that passes.

Turning my face up to the water, I close my eyes, and my mind flashes to this morning when we were in the shower together. The image is so powerful I can almost feel his fingers trailing down my back and farther down as he drops down before me. His eyes are almost black with need as he nuzzles my inner thigh. He looks up at me before lifting my leg to drape it over his shoulder. My back falls to the wall behind me leaving me leaning most of my weight on my one leg. When his lips brush against me for the first time, I sigh with the knowledge of what’s to come.