But as I look at him, his eyes are fixed on my hips, staring blankly at the claw marks he’s left behind, and I laugh as I jump to fit my jeans over my ass.
“Have you seen yourself?” I ask.
I gesture at the teeth marks on his arms and shoulder. They aren’t deep enough to scar, but it will be a while before they fade. Longer than the wide array of scratches on his back and chest. Some of which run from his hips all the way to his throat.
“It’s not the same, and you know it.”
I shrug as I pull my t-shirt over my head.
“I don’t see why not,” I say. “I’m more full than I’ve ever been. They’ll heal in a couple days.”
He shakes his head.
“That could’ve ended much differently.”
“But it didn’t,” I remind him. “And it won’t, because your wolf likes me.”
“Likes you?” he repeats, a little more incredulous than I’d prefer. “I don’t think my wolf likes anyone.”
“That knot of yours begs to differ.”
I wink as I turn back for my vanity, dabbing on a bit of lip gloss and doing my best to smooth down the frizz on top of my head. Serves me right for getting plowed into the pillows for hours on end.
Elliot takes his time. He’s not ready to go back either.
He doesn’t say so, but I can see it in his posture, the subtle curve of his shoulders, and the general air of gloom that’s hovering over him. He’s worried about the inquiry. Admittedly, so am I. But I decided we would ignore it for just today. Today, we’re going to be normal.
“Baby, can you…”
His voice pulls me back to the moment, and I realize normal is easier said than done.
He’s sat, hunched over on the edge of the bed, holding out the dampener with a look of defeat on his face that makes me want to weep. But I try not to let my frustration show as I cross the room.
I take the thick, worn leather collar and fist it in my hand. The power sparks between my fingers as I hold it, and I cringe as I step between Elliot’s knees.
“Why do you wear this horrific thing?” I ask.
With a sigh, he mutters, “Because I have to.”
My eyes roll, and I contemplate tossing it out the window.
“That’s not an answer, Elliot.”
There’s a long pause as he sits staring at our feet.
“Do you remember your first Fright Night?” he asks.
I nod.
“Yeah.”
“Do you remember what happened that night?”
Vaguely. I remember Kitty was nervous, and Dame had just been sworn in as alpha, so he was even stricter than he is now. Elsie and I were still getting the hang of things at Highcrest and hadn’t planned on going, but Elliot had cornered me in Dixon Hall to beg me to attend.
I don’t remember why I agreed. But I do remember thinking he looked delicious.
I shrug.
