“You think I’m handsome?” He held his hands to his chest.

I shoved him out of my bedroom. “Shut it. You know you are.” Laughing, he gave me another one of his grins, and I rolled my eyes. “Stop flirting.”

“Can’t be helped. It’s in my DNA. Especially with you.”

“Only with me.”

He stopped, pulling me to him. “Aye. Only with you.” The brush of his lips against mine was soft and tender. It nearly pulled all the worry from my mind.

Nearly.

Chapter Five

Donovan slept in another room. My mate was nothing if not respectful of my father’s wishes for no pre-ceremony slumber parties, so I ended up alone in my bed. Cold. Lonely. And missing Donovan.

But I didn’t wake up that way.

Donovan’s heat pressed against my back and his scent surrounded me. I leaned into him for a second. Light peeked around the edges of my blackout curtains, hinting that I’d actually been allowed to sleep in a bit. I’d been up before daylight every morning since I got home, but guessing from the light, it was maybe seven a.m.

This was more like it. I pulled the comforter up under my chin, snuggled back against Donovan, and closed my eyes again.

What was another few minutes? I was way too comfortable to get out of bed.

Donovan’s arms tightened around me. “I know you’re awake.” His voice rumbled through me in the most delicious way.

“Hmmm,” I said as I rolled in his arms. I felt gloriously rested for the first time in weeks. “What time is it?”

“Nine.”

I sat up. “Holy shit. My brothers let me sleep in.” Already a sign of an awesome day to come.

Donovan rolled onto his back. He was lying on top of the covers, dressed only in a pair of sweatpants. No shirt. No shoes. I raked my gaze over his body—the way his biceps tightened as he put his arms behind his head, his perfectly formed abs, and his grin. He gave me a wink.

It was too much. I couldn’t help the little sigh that slipped free.

I felt his amusement through our bond. He knew exactly what he was doing to me. Jerk.

“You think I’d let them torture you while I’m around to put an end to it?” he said.

It took a second for my mind to catch up to him. Right. My brothers had only let me sleep because Donovan had kept them away. “Best present ever.” I settled over him and nuzzled my nose in the crook of his neck. “Second best present? You in my bed.”

Donovan laughed as he wrapped his arms around me. “You like to sleep more than anyone I’ve ever known.” He gave my back a little rub before letting go.

“No. Don’t stop. I like the rubbing.”

“Aye. I bet you do, but it’s off to train. Why do you think I’m not fully dressed yet?”