He felt a strange clutch in his chest at the sight. He ignored this and straightened, took her hand and pulled her out of the chair. Holding her hand, he led her unresisting body across the room and turned her to face him.
He had little time to get her accustomed to him and teach her the ways of her new life but he knew in this moment she could use some space.
However, no one should be idle. She needed something to do.
He cocked his head to the shopping bags and his leather case.
He squeezed her hand before ordering quietly, “Unpack your things and mine. Tidy the kitchen. I’m going to take a shower.”
He saw her eyes flash at his order but, accustomed to people following his commands without question, he thought nothing of it, dropped her hand and went to his bag. Grabbing clean clothes, he strode to the bathroom.
While he was in the shower, he heard her moving around, putting away their clothes, tidying the bags, cleaning the kitchen.
Something about this annoyed him.
It was irrational but he’d prefer she was rebellious. At least that would be interesting.
In their short time together, she had displayed mild bouts of courage and fire but she always gave in.
Too quickly.
He wiped down the mirror and stared at himself, deciding not to bother with a shave and also thinking that the week, and indeed his life with the health-conscious, pampered, obedient Sonia, yawned before him.
His father had been a patient, accepting man who taught his son many lessons and tested his son many a time.
Mac had not managed, however, to teach him patience or acceptance.
Callum dumped his clothes in the laundry hamper and walked from the bathroom.
The kitchen was clean and Sonia was tucked back in her chair, a mug wrapped in her fingers held up close to her face. Her eyes were on the fire.
A she-wolf could never be still like that.
If he was here with one of his own, she’d pounce on him the minute he exited the bathroom.
Fuck, she’d be put out that he wanted to shower alone.
If not, she’d be doing something. Baking, organizing the kitchen, finding some kind of busy work, no matter what it was. Hell, even reading, or, in these circumstances, plotting.
Not staring vacantly into a fire.
His cell rang in his back pocket and as he reached for it, he watched her turn her pretty head slowly to face him.
And, he had to admit when her green eyes hit him, she was pretty.
Very pretty.
Stunning.
He’d never tire of looking at her.
At least he had that.
He flipped the phone open and put it to his ear as her gaze moved back to the fire.
“Callum,” he answered and walked to stand at the back of the couch in order to study her blank but elegant profile.
“Cal,” Ryon said in his ear. “Thought you’d want to know, Mona had nothing to do with it.”