War of Hearts (True Immortality) - S Young Page 0,78
grin at Thea’s indignation. “That goes both ways. It’s not just about a male marking his female. A female wolf is just as territorial of her mate. Sometimes more so.”
Conall remembered the way his parents had been around one another. So much passion and love, he’d often been embarrassed by it growing up. Now he’d give anything to see them laughing and cuddling like smitten teenagers.
When a comfortable silence fell between them again, Conall glanced over at Thea. Suddenly he saw an image of Thea in a faceless man’s arms, finding comfort after her escape from Ashforth, and the thought made Conall restless.
No, not restless.
It made him jealous as fuck.
There.
He’d admitted it to himself.
And now he needed to know. He shouldn’t ask. It wasn’t his business. “What about you?” he blurted out before he could stop himself. “You said you’ve never been in love but that doesnae mean you’ve never tried.”
Thea shrugged and glanced out her window. “I tried once. Not love, just … connection, I guess. It was about a year after I got away. The guy was human, and we bartended together.” She gave a snort of joyless laughter. “I was so worried about losing control, being too strong, hurting him that …”
Conall’s gut tightened. “What?”
“Nothing. It just wasn’t very good.”
Don’t ask, don’t fucking ask. “And you never tried again?” Prick. Moron. Masochist. Nosy fucking bastard.
To his surprise, Thea answered. “I’ve never trusted anyone enough to try again.”
Feeling her attention, he glanced at her and she was glaring at him, an attractive blush cresting high on her cheeks.
The word hung heavily in the air between them, and Conall found he couldn’t think of another subject to distract them with. Instead, they fell into a silence that wasn’t as comfortable as it had been before.
The hotel at Neumünster had taken inspiration from its Scandinavian neighbors. The reception was a huge, open-plan space with a quirky mix of industrial and natural materials. There were exposed pipes along the ceiling, but a beautiful fire on a partition wall. The fire was low to the ground, built between two pieces of marble, the top part of which had holes cut into it where the firewood was stored.
A massive corner sofa sat opposite the fire, with bean cushions and a large wooden coffee table. There was a reception desk near the fire, a bar, and a shop selling everything from wine to clothing.
Beyond the reception was another bar and restaurant and all the rooms were on the two floors above.
Conall watched Thea take in the surroundings with a quiet look of pleasure. Her expression made him book a suite. “With twin beds instead of a king,” he requested.
“I’m sorry, sir.” The blond receptionist was almost as well built as Conall. “Our suites only come with a king.” He’d flicked an inquisitive look at Thea, obviously wondering why Conall wouldn’t want to share a bed with her.
He buried an agitated snarl. “But the room has a pull-out sofa?”
“Yes, sir.”
There was nothing technically to stop him booking two rooms. He trusted Thea not to run. But for her safety, she should stay with him.
“That’s fine.” He’d take the sofa.
Once they had their room sorted, Conall booked them a table at the restaurant and went one step further by insisting on buying Thea a pair of pajamas in the hotel gift shop.
“You don’t have to do that.” She waved away his offer.
“Do you want to sleep in your jeans?”
She wrinkled her adorable nose. “Well … okay, then.” Thea grinned up at him, her eyes dancing. “Thanks.”
Conall quickly looked away. His heart was beating too fast.
It was that fucking conversation in the car.
“Pick something.” He was gruff.
Things only worsened when they strode into the room. The bed was luxurious and inviting and the sofa was absolutely not. His legs would dangle over the bloody thing.
“I’ll take the sofa,” Thea said, dropping her rucksack on it.
“Like hell.” He grabbed the backpack and dumped it on the bed. “You’ll take the bloody bed.”
“I’m shorter. I’ll take the sofa.”
“You’ll take the bed and be grateful for it,” he snapped.
She scowled at him. “What crawled up your ass in the last twenty minutes, huh?”
“I’m sorry, I didnae realize offering you the bed was a bad thing.” He was being deliberately obtuse, and they both knew it.