Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
He even tried eye-fucking me one night at Roxy’s a few years ago after one of those glorious sweaty alpha wrestling matches on the patio. The air was full of alpha pheromones, and it was a lunar event, so a lot of unattached folks were pairing up for a romp.
He made eye contact with me and shot me one of his signature panty-removing smiles. I looked away and when I looked back, he was still staring, still smiling, knowing I got his message, his unspoken invitation.
Bailey wasn’t there to see it, thankfully, and it was time for me to leave. You just don’t do that to your best friend, whether she’s watching or not and no matter how much you’ve had to drink and what the moon is telling you. Despite my willpower, one of those Jason Creed smiles was hot enough I had to jump in the river for a cold swim before I went home alone.
Me: I want to hug you and congratulate you. This is everything you’ve wanted. But … if he’s been shitty to you, I say make him grovel!
Bailey: I don’t even want a grovel. It’s hard to explain.
Me: Shit. I’m sorry Bailey. Very sorry.
Bailey: Sorry for what you’re going through, too. I can’t imagine…
Me: Maybe you can help me. Can you see what you can find out about a shifter pack in Utah near the Wyoming and Colorado borders? And specifically Jared Stone? And if there’s something I can help you with, let me know.
Bailey: I don’t think I can get to the library until tomorrow. But as soon as I do, I’ll see what I can find out. Thanks for the offer but I’ve got a little bit of help here. For the moment, at least. Shit. Gotta go.
Me: Good luck.
Bailey: Good luck to you, too. TTYL
***
I bring Jared a sports drink. He’s looking at me warily, reaching for the leather mask.
I set the drink down close and can feel the tension rolling off him. I pretend I don’t notice.
“You want the door left open?”
“I want you to leave. Go home so I can unlock the rest of this shit and get gone.”
“Not happening.”
“Fine. Just go home for an hour. Then I can take a shower.”
He’s full of shit.
“You want to take a shower, take one.” I move the keys to hang them on a nail within his reach and add, “But I’m not leaving.”
“Woman…” he grumbles and it’s almost a growl, but not quite. Probably because the last time he growled, he saturated my underwear. He doesn’t want the temptation.
An idea hits. I do my best to give him one of those Jason Creed smiles.
He doesn’t even flinch.
“Riley brought a big thing of water and hooked it up. You and I could take a shower together,” I suggest.
He’s frozen still, trying not to react. But his heartrate just shot up.
“Maybe your wolf doesn’t like water. Maybe he won’t show up and we could… you know… help one another get washed up.”
He says nothing. He stares at the floor.
“Get washed up everywhere…” I add.
He swallows and rolls his eyes like he finds me annoying. But I know different.
“Everywhere,” I drawl.
Nothing.
“You put that cold river between us after you mated me. Because he hates the water? Or hates cold water?”
“I was trying to buy you time, figuring a swim would slow it down.”
“He wouldn’t get in the water to go after the council alphas either. He either can’t swim, is afraid of water, or hates it enough he won’t go into it even if he’s acting rabid, wanting to attack.”
He doesn’t know this about his own wolf, which is so strange. I can’t imagine being disconnected from mine.
“How about if we run a little experiment?” I try.
He’s frowning.
I wait.
Finally, he answers, “I’m not taking a chance with your life.”
“What did my father say to you?”
He flexes his jaw, not answering.
I wait.
Nothing.
I shrug. “A shower sounds heavenly, actually, so I’m gonna go take one now. Maybe you wanna put that mask on and join me. I’ll take the guns Linc left me. If you shift, you can’t bite me with that thing on your face. I’ll zap you, call the alpha and beta that are stationed just two minutes away and then they can come drag your wolf back out here and put the restraints back on.”
Not only is his heart beating faster, I eyeball his crotch and see a prominent dick print in his sweatpants. I bite my lip, keeping my eyes pointed there. He wants this. I know it; I feel it. And I want him to know I want it, too.
And now I’m wet, and I’m sure he knows it. He’s going to fuck me. He’s going to fuck me, and I’ll be pinned under his weight, feeling that knot again. Yeah. I’ve just made myself wetter.