“Does shifting hurt? I bought a few steaks ‘cause you said you needed meat after a shift, but is there anything else I can do to help?”
A human wanting to help? So not expected. Then again, Noah didn’t know many humans, having kept his distance most of his life. He doubted many Slades walked the earth.
“Can I be out there with you in the woods? Watching over you? Would you mind?” Slade waved his Glock. “I mean, what if you run across a real wolf or a mountain lion or something?”
Noahwould bea real wolf during his shift and resolve confrontations on pure instinct.
Like with the five hunters. Still, no harm in Slade being in the woods. “Okay, but if I take off, don’t follow me. I can go pretty far following a scent trail.”
“What do you hunt? Deer?”
Noah shook his head. “Not alone. Mostly rabbits.” This close to shifting, visions of fresh rabbit meat caused stomach rumbles.
Slade chuckled. “You’re looking forward to those rabbits, aren’t you?”
How could this man speak so casually about someone else turning into an animal and hunting other animals? Still, Slade had his number. “Yeah. I do love rabbit. But it’s more than the meal, you know? Hunting appeals to primal instincts.”
“I’ve never been hunting, but can imagine I know what you mean.” Slade peered out the window at the lowering sun. “When does this happen? Do you gotta see the moon or something?”
“No. Already I feel the pull to shift. I’m not sure how the moon affects me. Maybe others like me could tell you, but I can’t. I know it’s painful if I try to hold out too long, but it’s safer to wait until after sundown. Cuts down on the chances of being seen.”
“Makes sense. But if people think you’re a dog and you’re wearing a collar, they shouldn’t care anyway, right?”
“Except if they want to pet the purdy doggie.” Noah waggled his brows.
Slade fiddled with the collar, not meeting Noah’s gaze. “Can I ask you something else?”
“Can I stop you? Right now, you’re on a roll and picking up speed.”
The part of Slade visible through facial hair flushed. Wow. The big, bad biker blushed. Who’da thunk it? “Sorry. I’m just curious.”
Noah softened his voice. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry. All you’ve done is help me. I’ll answer whatever questions I can.”
Slade’s expression grew stern. “You don’t owe me.”
Noah poured on drama, letting out an exaggerated sigh, hoping to ease the tension with humor. “Ask away.”
“I… I’ve never seen a wolf close up. Do you mind if I take a few pictures?”
Pictures? Photographic evidence of a shifted werewolf. Then again, in shifted form, Noah looked like any other wolf. “As long as you leave the collar off. I do have some pride, you know.”
“Works for me. I want the collar on before you head out the door, if you don’t mind.”
Whatever made Slade feel better. “Sure. Sundown in about twenty minutes. Wanna get started?”
“Sure? What do I need to do?”
“Sit over there on the couch, and no comments about how a few pushups wouldn’t hurt me.” Noah whipped his T-shirt over his head, dropping the fabric to the floor before Slade sat down.
Slade’s mouth fell open, and he sat. He’d seen Noah without a shirt before, touched him even. Curiosity warred with lust in his scent.
Noah toed off his tennis shoes and pulled off his socks. Looking away to avoid distraction, he unfastened his jeans, pulled down the zipper, and slipped them down his legs. He stepped out of the confines, kicking the denim away, facing Slade in all his nakedness.
Slade stared, open-mouthed. “You’re beautiful. Perfectly proportioned. Flawless skin.”
Trust a tattoo artist to notice skin.
Then Slade’s gaze slipped lower. Did he even notice licking his lips? Noah’s cock began to fill.
