Revolting

Michael didn't know what to do with his hands. Some small, decent shred of himself insisted that he should stop this, before it got out of control. He tried to remind himself that if he made love to Hannah now, it would be like making love to a woman who was out-of-her mind drunk. But who was he kidding? Michael wasn't exactly known for his self-less nature. He groaned and looked around for something to grip. He had to keep his hands off from her. If he grabbed the shower head, he'd likely pull the flimsy fixture right out of the wall. The shower curtain rod didn't look any sturdier. He laced his fingers behind his neck, ignoring the burning in his shoulder as the muscles flexed, and closed his eyes. The similarity of this moment to another one was not lost on him. He remembered vividly that day in the barn, when he'd been lashed to a support post with silver-laced ropes. He'd taken a beating and had some minor cuts and bruises. Then they'd sent in the big gun to break him.

And Hannah had broken him. Not with pain, but with the most exquisite pleasure he had ever experienced in his life. He'd been something of a hedonist, so he was no stranger to pleasure. But to have his mate's tiny hands all over his body, and then her mouth. His eyes popped open as her mouth found him in the present moment.

"Oh God Hannah... do you remember?" he croaked out painfully. "Do you remember that day in the barn?" He looked down at her with passion-darkened eyes. "That was the day I knew you were mine. Rejection or no rejection, I had to have you."

She didn't seem to be listening to him, but just as she was about to continue, she froze, her sensitive ears detecting a sound. Michael heard it too, although just barely. Someone was at the door. And then that same someone was in the house. "I'll, uh, just leave the food on the table," William's voice was muffled by the walls and the sound of running water.

But the interruption had distracted Hannah, and apparently cooled her ardor. It was like having a lover with ADHD Michael thought with a frustrated growl. She was pulling back the curtain and stepping out to drip water all over the floor. Michael swore and twisted off the water before he followed her out and wrapped up her naked body in a clean towel. He draped another towel around his waist. She was already escaping from the bathroom to go investigate the delicious smelling food that had been deposited on the kitchen table.

"Hannah... you know, we should probably put some clothes on before..." Too late. She had dropped the towel on the floor and was now perched on a chair. Her bare feet were on the seat of the chair, and she was squatting comfortably as she dipped her fingers straight into a bowl of mashed potatoes, while her wet hair continued to drip water rivulets down her body to a puddle on the floor. "Oh boy." He slid his hands over his face. He thought they'd made some progress in food etiquette. Maybe not so much. At least the sight of his naked mate eating mashed potatoes like a baby calmed down the tent pole under his towel.

He went through the cupboards until he found the plates and some utensils. Hannah watched him curiously as he dished out mashed potatoes, big hunks of meatloaf, and spring greens onto the plates. He grabbed some paper towels and wiped the potatoes off from Hannah's fingers before he handed her a fork. He heaped up his own plate and sat down across from her. "Let's do this the civilized way, okay?"

She looked him with narrowed eyes, but she did begin to use the fork. Her body remembered what to do, even if her mind wasn't focusing on it. Michael deeply appreciated the flavors and textures of a real, home cooked meal. He savored every bite, and when he looked across the table, he saw that Hannah was also in a state of near-bliss. They both ate until they were uncomfortably full, and then Michael took the plates to the sink. He stared at the dish soap for a long, hard moment.

Alphas do not wash dishes.

He had to remind himself that he was no longer the alpha of a pack. There were no omegas coming to clean up after him. And he was a guest... or was it a prisoner? In Heath's home. His future brother-in-law. He turned on the faucet and picked up a sponge. Hannah watched him for a long moment, her head tipped thoughtfully. Then she surprised him by moving beside him and picking up the plate he had just washed. She carefully went through the motions of rinsing it before placing it in the strainer. She was still completely naked... but otherwise doing the chore like a perfectly normal person.

Michael could only shake his head at her. "You are the most confounding woman I have ever met." He grumbled... but goddess, how he loved her. Even in this state of confusion... he could not imagine his life without her.