Two solid knocks came on the door. “Kira, let me in.”
Her neighbors knew she was home. They’d notice if she left her husband standing on the doorsteps. She wondered how people would react if they knew the truth about her marriage, how she had been forced into it. Gwen would be on her side, that much she was certain of. But the rest of the pack?
It’s not just about me, either. If the pack ends up split over this issue, or they lose respect for Joshua, then how effective will his continued efforts be?She ground her teeth. If he wasn’t such a hypocrite—but that path of thinking wasn’t going to help. She yanked open the door. Joshua stood on the front step, his hair tousled, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It wasn’t fair how much more handsome he was in this casual, everyday outfit than when he was dressed up in a suit, standing at the altar.
Memories of his hands on her body, his lips on her neck, and his voice in her ear. They came so strong and suddenly that she gasped. Joshua glanced around.
“What?”
Kira shook herself. “Nothing. What are you doing here?”
Joshua frowned at her. “People will think it’s strange if we don’t spend the night together.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. People would assume that their wedding night was a normal one, even though their wedding had been unconventional. “Come back at night, then. You don’t need to stand here gathering attention.”
A few of her neighbors had already come out to their porches, pretending not to watch. Kira wrapped her arms around herself. She didn’t want this to turn into a spectacle. By all rights, she should just let him in. They could have the conversation privately and—
“I have work to do. Just pack up a night bag, and we can get going,” Joshua said.
Kira stiffened. He wasn’t asking to spend the night here. He expected her to uproot herself and move in with him. That was so typical.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. What’s the point of spending the night together anyway? Everyone will say how I walked out. They’re going to be talking about us anyway,” Kira argued. More of her neighbors were emerging from their houses to watch. “Besides, it’s not a real marriage.”
Joshua leaned in closer. “The Elder Council doesn’t care about whether we like each other or not. What they care about is that we’re trying to create the super-witch-wolves to protect the town.”
And children were the one thing that he had no intention of giving her. Kira opened her mouth to snap back as her chest tightened. But her neighbors weren’t even pretending not to pay attention anymore. Did Joshua know this was going to happen? Did he intend to use peer pressure to persuade her to change her mind?
“I don’t want to move in with you.” Kira lowered her voice.
Joshua frowned. “What?”
She glared at him. “I said, Why don’t you move in with me instead of me moving in with you?”
“Where would I sleep?” He gave her a pointed look. “Would you want me to share a bed with you? Or would I take over Chelsey’s room?”
Kira hesitated. That was a good point. There really wasn’t anywhere for him to stay here. Besides, would she rather leaver her space temporarily, or deal with Joshua in her home? She could just imagine the stress of trying to move through her normal routine, only with him on the couch. Rearranging her things. Leaving the toilet seat up.
“We need to keep up appearances.” Joshua leaned forward, reaching out his hand. Kira tensed, but he didn’t touch her. Instead, he leaned against the doorjamb, his golden gaze growing even more intense. “The last thing I want is for the Elders to start ragging on us to be intimate. If we’re living in the same house, they’ll ask but won’t press.”
“I…” Kira hesitated. She stepped back. “Come in.”
Joshua’s lips thinned, but he entered the house. Kira closed the door behind him and retreated several steps. They watched each other warily, as though both of them were waiting for the other to turn into a gorgon. Heat sparked beneath Kira’s skin at how close he was. They hadn’t been alone together since… well, since she gave him her virginity. There had always been some factor to be aware of. People who could creep up on them, or wait for a call, or any number of things.
Now it was just the two of them, and four walls separated them from everyone else.
“I… will pack,” she said quickly, turning on her heel.
Her mouth was dry as she went to her bedroom and shoved some clothes and toiletries into a bag. Did she need anything else?
Condoms,the thought came unbidden. A thrill of heat shot straight through her, pooling between her legs. Kira hissed and leaned against the bed, trying to fight back these unwelcome feelings. Joshua already said they weren’t going to have sex. And she didn’t want to have sex, not with him at least. Not tonight. This situation was already quite weird and uncomfortable. Besides, she hated him.
I hate Joshua Woods. I don’t want to sleep with him.
Kira took a few deep breaths to calm herself. She finished packing, then headed back to the entrance. Joshua waited with his hands in his pockets, looking around the house with a hard, blank expression. Was he judging her living space?
“Ready?” Joshua asked.
A nod.
