I blinked.
“I also came to tell you there’s a meeting in the Ruler’s main conference room in an hour.” He lifted a hand, which held a large paper bag. “And to give you sustenance. It’s everyone’s favorite.” He passed the bag to me and kissed my cheek, whispering, “Take a shower, Lil. You stink of cleaning products and your hair’s a mess.” He stared at Ezra over my shoulder for a few moments, an unreadable expression on his face, before turning on his heel and sauntering down the hallway. “You’re welcome.”
I started, hollering at his retreating form, “Thank you!”
He waved a negligent hand before turning the corner and disappearing from view.
Ezra and I stood frozen, staring after Antonio, before Ezra tapped the door closed with a swift flick of his finger. His arm curved over my shoulder as he lifted the bag from my hands. Glancing inside it, he hummed in appreciation before bumping me with his elbow. “You don’t reek so bad. Though you do have major bedhead.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, turning to peer into the bag. My stomach growled. “I’m still going to eat before I shower.”
Chapter Four
Ezra and I wandered the twisting hallways of King Cave, trying to figure out where the hell we were going. Antonio had kindly placed a map inside our breakfast bag, but we were still lost. Jack remained in bed, and he hadn’t moved or eaten any of the food we left on one of the bedside tables. Pearl had finished reconstructing the coffee table and had moved on to fixing the bookcases. Neither of our best friends were in a state to attend this meeting. Hopefully, it wouldn’t last too long so we could quickly get back to them. So it seemed right on par for this awful morning that, as we rounded a sharp corner, I slammed against an enormous, firm body.
Grunting, I started to fall, but Ezra’s arm blurred. He caught and righted me. Swiftly pulling his hand back, Ezra started to maneuver around the man I had slammed into.
I wasn’t moving. My feet were firmly planted to the cave floor as I stared at a god of a Shifter. Seeing panting in my future, I quickly shut my mouth and stared instead.
“Sorry about that.” The black-haired Shifter grinned. “Who knew King Cave could have danger lurking around the corner?”
My eyes ate up his features as Ezra stepped back beside me, obviously understanding I wasn’t moving anytime soon. “Yeah, who knew?” The Shifter’s brown eyes were very pretty on his rugged, chiseled face. Holding out my hand, I stated, “I’m Lily.”
He chuckled, extending his hand and taking mine in a firm handshake. His gaze never once dipped away from mine, holding eye contact, which was damn impressive. This Shifter was most definitely a strong alpha. Probably my age of twenty or right around there. “I’m Finn, and I know who you are. It’s lovely to meet you.”
After releasing my hand, Finn held out his own map, still holding my gaze. “I got in only an hour ago, so I have no clue where to get something to eat. I’m embarrassingly lost.” He wasn’t embarrassed at all with the way he stepped forward, invading my space.
I didn’t mind one bit. It had been a long time since I’d had a bed partner. My hormones kicked into overdrive when his heat pressed against me. “I can’t help you with that,” I murmured, sounding a smidge breathless and tilting my head toward Ezra. “We’re also lost.”
Finn didn’t even glance at Ezra, his eyes leveling with mine as he bent. “That’s a pity.” His dark head tilted as his nostrils flared — a tiny smile etching his yummy lips — more than likely scenting the fact his mere presence was turning me on. “Maybe we can find it together.” Not really a question, more an implied request to something else altogether.
Ezra snorted softly, turning his attention away from us.
And still, Finn didn’t look away.
“Now’s not a good time,” I stated, doing a wonderful job to keep the disappointment from my tone. “I have a meeting I have to attend.”
He cocked his head. “Raincheck?” Yeah, he wasn’t asking to have a meal together.
Our staring contest had definitely become a battle of wills now, so I couldn’t scan over his body, but he had felt plenty hard enough when I had run into him. “Possibly.”
He grinned, dimples creasing his cheeks. “Promising.”
“We’re going to be late,” Ezra drawled, glancing at his watch.
Finn straightened, taking the hint. Winking at me, he twisted between Ezra and me, and passed by. He only took his eyes off mine when he turned the corner.
“Alpha?” Ezra rumbled, giving me a tiny shove in the other direction.
“Oh, yes. Very powerful.” I rolled my shoulders as I moved along with him. My voice had dropped an octave from that little encounter. “It has been a very long time, Ezra.”
Ezra grunted, rubbing his nose and glancing down at our map.
I sighed, pointing at the conference room area. “I think we took a wrong turn there.”