A startling shiver racks me. “I’m not?—”
“Following the rules. Pretending you have no desires. No needs.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“But you wanted to look.” He grins. “That’s why you’re here. So why don’t you come closer and look your fill? I don’t mind.”
My face burns. My heart thuds. He’s definitely wrong. I didn’t come for him, I came to grab my shoes, but I can’t look away. I pad deeper into the room, not even bothering to glance around for my footwear. He’s wrong.
And yet, he’s right. Deep inside, I was eager to observe him undress, find out what is hiding under his clothes. See more of him. See the man underneath the wolf.
He leans back, resting his corded, muscular arms on the rims of the tub, head tipped back. His chest gleams like hammered gold, the tendons in his strong neck gleaming wet. Droplets run down his pectorals, over the grooves and planes of his hard stomach.
Dark ink swirls over one pec, spilling down his side. It’s wings, I think as I slowly circle the tub, feeling like a predator. Me, who’s always been the prey. But also a falling star. A crown. A mountain peak.
The silver in his ear glints as he turns his head to watch my trajectory. Such an elegant ear, its point gentle. So… wolf-like. Even the face holds something lupine in its broad planes and mesmerizing eyes. The grin spreading on his face is definitely wolfish.
Oh Gods, what am I doing?
I start backtracking, but he suddenly shifts forward and grabs my wrist, pulling me closer. Water sloshes over the rim of the tub, soaking into my already soaked dress.
“Your heart is racing,” he says softly. “You’re scared, after all.”
I lick my dry lips. His grip on my wrist is warm and tight, and feels strangely… comforting. “You like that, I bet. Having me scared of you.”
“In the hunt and primal chase, yeah, but not in the bedroom.”
“This isn’t your bedroom, and this isn’t anything to talk about.”
“Come join me in the tub.”
“Stop acting so indecent, stop…” A short breath escapes me when he moves, the water rippling around his muscular torso.
“You’re petrified of me, more frightened even than the animals I hunt for food, and yet determined not to let it rule you. What have my people done to you?”
I shake my head.
“How about you take a bath with me?” he goes on, and I lose the thread.
“What?”
“You’re already wet.” His lashes fan down, and he draws a long breath. “Very wet.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means your body wants me and is preparing for me. Your sweet pussy is dripping wet.”
I jerk back, and he lets go, so that I stumble. “No.”
His grin glimmers, sharp and pleased. “Am I being terribly inappropriate again?”
“Yes!”
“Oh, good. I was afraid I was losing my touch. By the way, you are terribly delicious.”
“Nonsense.” I swallow hard. “You’ve always seen me covered up from head to toe.”
“And how seductive is that? The mystery, the wonder, the fucking secret of your body hidden under all those layers offabric, the dark lace giving hints of pale flesh underneath, that high collar always buttoned up, making me crave…”
