Amber took off her jacket and hung them on the coat rack. She frowned, confused as to why it seemed like someone was cooking. She looked down at her wristwatch and saw that it was too early for Erick to return home.
Although most of the time, Erick would find the time to send her to work, he hardly picks her up from work due to their clashing schedules. But it was mostly because Erick usually works overtime so he can't pick her up.
Walking in the kitchen where the smell comes from, Amber was surprised to see Erick at the stove, cooking. "Erick?" she said, sounding shocked.
Erick turned around, with a wooden spoon in his hand. He grinned when he saw Amber looking confused, standing at the kitchen doorway. "Welcome back, darling," he greeted.
Amber looked down at the spread of food on the dining table. "What's the occasion?" she asked, still looking confused.
Erick shook his head. "Nothing, really," he said as he placed a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. He then walked over to Amber and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Besides, everyday is special with you around."
Amber rolled her eyes. Sometimes he can be too sweet yet so lame. She then smiled to herself. But she loves him for that!
Just as she was about to say something, Erick suddenly grabbed her arm. She turned her head to look at him and was surprised to see the furious look on his face. Even his eyes were glittering with fury as if he was holding back his anger.
"What---"
She jumped in surprise when Erick suddenly nuzzled at her neck. "Wha-- what are you doing, Erick?" she exclaimed.
"Who is that guy??" he growled angrily as he pulled back from her, his hand still wrapped around her arm.
Amber's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What guy?" she asked again.
"I smell a foul scent of a guy on you!"
Amber tilted her head as she tried to recall whom she had met that morning. The guys that she usually met were her students. But they were only little children. He couldn't possibly be jealous of them? And she always meets them so there usually isn't any problem. But why now…?
It was then she remembered that she met the new owner of the daycare, Ronan Paccito.
"Well, I did meet with the new owner of the daycare, Mr. Paccito," Amber admitted.
"Is he human or something else?" Erick asked.
Amber rolled her eyes. "How the heck would I know? I don't have any special 'powers' like you shifters," she said sarcastically.
"But does he seem suspicious?" Erick asked again.
Amber frowned. "I don't think so. He was quite nice and friendly," she said.
"Then he's suspicious."
Amber just rolled her eyes.
She was about to turn around and go to her room to freshen up when Erick, who still had his hand around her arm, pulled her, going towards her room as well. Amber frowned. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"You need to clean yourself."
"I know. I was about to go to freshen up before you pulled me," she said as the two of them climbed up the stairs together.
"Yes, and I'm going to help you with it."
Amber's eyes widened. Few minutes later, inside Amber's bathroom, one could hear shrieks of laughter mixed with frustration coming from the room. And after a while, it was all quiet.
Soon after, Amber walked down the stairs, looking freshly showered with her cheeks flushed red. It wasn't certain whether it had turned red from the shower or from embarrassment as she was also fidgeting. Behind her, Erick looked quite satisfied with his huge grin.
When they entered the kitchen, the food that was on the table had already grown cold. Erick immediately went to reheat the food while Amber sat down at the dining table, pouting.
When Erick was done reheating their meal, he noticed that Amber was still sulking, not touching the food in front of her.
He walked over and brushed a strand of her hair that escaped from her messy bun. "What's wrong, honey bunny?" he asked teasingly.
Amber narrowed her eyes at him, glaring. "Y-y-you… shameless!" she shouted.
Erick cocked an eyebrow. "Shameless?" he repeated.
She nodded furiously. "What you did in the bathroom…" she started.
"Uh huh…." He said, prodding her to continue.
Amber rolled her eyes as she looked away, feeling shy to continue.
"I was just cleaning you up from that awful smell," he said, looking apologetic. "I didn't expect the scent to be… everywhere!"
Amber turned back around to glare at him. "What do you mean, everywhere??" she exclaimed. "The scent wouldn't be… you know…'there'!"
"'There'?" Erick repeated, looking innocent.
Amber just narrowed her eyes, warningly.
He let out a small chuckle and leaned closer to her. He quickly dropped a kiss just near her collarbone. When he pulled back, his grin grew wider as he stared at the spot he had just kissed.
Amber grew suspicious. What made this man look so happy? She warily looked down, trying to find what it was that made him happy. And then she gave out a loud gasp.
"Erick!"
Erick looked at her and tilted his head innocently. "What?"
"You can't be serious!" she exclaimed, frustration laced in her tone.
He reached out his hand to brush the hickey on her collarbone and grinned again. "Beautiful piece of art made by yours truly," he said proudly.
Amber just rubbed her temples in consternation. It seems like she has to use a high neck shirt tomorrow at work to cover her hickey.
Erick then sat down next to her and began to serve her the food. Then he said with a serious look on his face, "You gotta understand me, sweetheart. I'm trying to suppress myself here and this is the least I could do without forcing you to mate with me."
He sighed. "I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable," he apologised.
Amber let out a sigh too. It was already too big of him to try to control his urges. She knew how hard it was for him, especially when his mate was nearby and that he had been trying to hold on for years. It's not that simple.
She placed a hand on top of his and said with a small smile, "Alright."
Then as if there was a switch being switched on, Erick's expression quickly changed to eagerness as he said, "So, can we do it again?"
Apologies for the late chapter. I know I owe you, my readers, the Monday chapter. But I will try to write another one soon. I've been swamped with work and personal lives so it has been hard for me to find time to write. My apologies, once again and thank you for your understanding and still staying here with me in HHM journey!