Jasper chuckled, and he combed through my hair with his fingers, pulling it over one shoulder. “We should probably sleep.”
“I just woke up,” I said through a yawn, and even though it was true, I felt my energy draining away. “I need to shower and find my bag.”
“Your bag is in here, and Declan traded for some shower products for you this morning. They should be in the attached bathroom.”
“Going now,” I said, but I was already fading fast, and within seconds, I slipped off to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
I opened my eyes to a pitch-black room and an empty bed. A folded piece of paper was under my hand, and I stumbled off the mattress and across the room, feeling the brick walls for a switch.
As my surroundings flooded with soft light, I got a good look around at Jasper’s room. The oversized bed I just climbed off of took up half of the space and bookshelves and maps took up the rest. It wasn’t messy, just full of books and small treasures. The room smelled like ferns, pine, and old books, along with sex and sweat, and I raised the note in my hand.
Patrolling Grayhaven.
That was all it said. Jasper was a man of few words. My legs were still trembling as I made my way toward the bathroom, but I didn’t feel all the things I anticipated. Shame didn’t wash over me. There was no panicking anxiety that I was about to be betrayed. All I felt was thoroughly fucked and achy in the best ways.
The shower products Declan traded for had no labels, but they were decorated in painted flowers and smelled like cherry blossoms. He also got me a loofah and razor, and I scrubbed the ingrained dirt off my feet, cringing a little at the sight of the dark water draining away. By the time I climbed out, I was sure I’d shed a layer of my skin.
I pulled my favorite jeans and shirt out of my bag, deciding to forgo a bra again, and I headed out in search of coffee. Three steps outside of Jasper’s room, I realized that it was pitch black for a reason. The clock on the wall read three-thirty AM, and the whole house was dark.
Only one lamp was on in the entire firehouse, and it was over Lucas, who snored softly in a chair with a book on his chest and his feet crossed on a massive footstool. On one couch, a large gray wolf sprawled, his eyes open and watchful, and I could hear soft snoring coming from the loft.
I took a step back, planning to turn around when a floorboard creaked, and Lucas’ eyes snapped open.
He blinked at me. “Teagan… I must have fallen asleep.”
“Sorry,” I whispered, raising my hands. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Lucas groaned and sat up. “I was sleeping on duty.” He reached over and scratched behind Chad’s ears. It was a very familiar gesture between two wolves—something you’d do with a best friend or if you were flirting. “Wake me next time.”
Chad chuffed and laid his head down on his paws, closing his eyes.
Lucas peeled out of his chair and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m going to need a fresh pot of coffee. Want some?”
“Yeah, there’s no way that I could go back to sleep. I’m pretty sure that I slept for the better part of twenty-four hours.”
“How do you take it?” he asked.
“With milk—do you guys have dairy here?” I asked as I looked in the fridge.
“The fae sell dairy and claim it’s from sheep, but I have my doubts. Ace drinks it, though. I think it’s on the top shelf…” he winced and shook his head. “I wouldn’t if I were you. There might be some nondairy creamer, though.”
The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, and I realized that I didn’t give a crap. I hadn’t had coffee that wasn’t from a gas station in a very long time. “I’ll take it black.”
As Lucas busied himself in the kitchen, I set my digital camera on the counter and powered it on.
“You’re not going to sneak a picture of me while I’m a rumpled mess, are you?” he asked over his shoulder.
“I always give people deleting rights.” I held up my camera. “So do I have permission to snap a picture of rumpled, sleepy Lucas?”
Lucas grinned wide and slid a coffee in front of me. “If I can take one of you in return.”
“Deal.” I lifted my camera, and the sweetest bashful smile lit up his features. He touched his forehead, and his dimple peeked out. I managed to snap the picture just in time and held it out to him. “You have the right to delete it, but please—I beg you—let me keep it.”
Lucas leaned in to look and he sipped his coffee. “If that impresses you, I’m going to have to get dressed up for you sometime.”
“If you got all dressed up, we’d probably have to go somewhere nice, right?”
Lucas set his coffee down and held out his hands for my camera. He held it up and inspected it from different angles.
“You aim with this side and click up there.”
He chuckled. “You really think I’m ancient, don’t you?”
“I think you’re the sexiest…” I gritted my teeth, “Hundred-year-old…?” I trailed off as he shook his head. “Hot or cold?”
“What would be the fun in telling you?” he asked. He lifted the camera, clearly knowing exactly how to use it. “I was just thinking that your camera has seen its day. I might be able to trade for a new one.” He clicked the photo and then laughed out loud
