Rescuing Their Virgin Mate(27)

You’re here to help not ogle.

“I can’t have sex with you.” That felt good to get off her chest.

The left half of his lips turned upward. “I’m just asking for help, nothing more.”

Heat raced up her body. Here she assumed he wanted to make love with her, too. As long as they got that out of the way, she was willing to believe him. With as much confidence as she could muster, she peeled off the rest of her clothes. Her fingers trembled as she lowered the strap on her bra, and her stomach clenched when she tugged down her panties. Clay stepped into the shower and acted as if it didn’t matter she’d just stripped in front of him.

He peeked out of the glass door. “You coming?”

Her hands automatically covered her chest with both hands. With her mound bare, she didn’t succeed at hiding her nakedness.

“Yes.” You can do this.

He stood under the shower, and she stepped behind him to wash his back. Pink tinged the water for a few seconds then ran clear. When she reached around him to get the soap, he leaned back and their bodies touched. Bolts of need slammed into her.

She jumped back at the charge that arced between them. “Did you do that?”

He turned around and grinned. “Do what?”

Could she say there’d been such a strong connection between them her body had lit up? “Nothing. Turn around.”

I don’t need to see your hard-on and wonder if your erection would feel as good as Dirk’s.

Despite the sound of water pounding on the floor, she thought he chuckled. As she rubbed his back, she searched his neck for the wounds she’d seen inflicted. “I thought that wolf bit you.”

“He did.”

His comment made no sense. “Then where is the bite mark?”

He faced her again and placed his hands on her hips. “Werewolves have a lot of talents. One of them is healing fast.”

“How?”

He shrugged. “How do you get over a cold? How does one of your cuts heal? It just does. Only ours does it faster.”

“You should donate your body to science so humans can study you.”

He laughed. “Can I live a little first?”

She palmed his chest. “I meant after you die.”

“You want to get rid of me that fast?”

“No.” She swatted his chest. “You know what I mean.”

He faced the water again. “Finish washing my back. I like having your hands on me.”

She liked touching his skin, too. Until a few days ago, she never would have believed she was capable of liking two men, let alone enjoy them so much. But here she was. Chalk it up to trauma or her biological clock ticking.

Clay shut off the water. “I think I’m clean enough.” He stepped out, grabbed a towel, and handed one to her.

She stayed in the warm shower enclosure while she dried. He whipped his towel around his body so fast he seemed to be beating himself. As soon as she finished drying, he tossed the towel over the glass door and waved.

“Meet you in the living room.”

Her shoulders drooped. Here she thought he’d invited her into the shower to maybe touch her breasts or rub her naked ass. Dirk would have. Her mouth watered at the thought of sucking on his penis. Now that she’d lost her virginity, her moral compass had tilted.

Maybe he was mad because with her around, his life was in danger, too. Men. She’d never understand them.

#

As soon as Clay returned to his room, he plastered his back against the door. What the fuck had he been thinking asking her to help him wash his back? His wounds had healed, and he didn’t need Elena’s help. But did that stop him from making up this lame excuse to gaze at her naked body?

No.

You’re a jerk.

Seeing her standing before him so willing and vulnerable only made his chronic problem worse. Did he expect her to say, “Fuck me, Clay. I can’t wait to be with two men at once?”

You’re an idiot.

He should have volunteered to find the warehouse and have Dirk take her shopping, but his friend’s plea had gotten to him. Dirk, too, feared he’d want to make love to her again. They were both basket cases. Perhaps he should seek counsel from one of the other men who’d gone through this with their mate. In that last month alone, Trax and Dante, along with Kurt and Drake had found the woman for them. They’d all survived.

Maybe men responded differently. He must have it worse than anyone else. He shook his head and wrenched open his dresser to find something to wear. On top of the dresser sat his phone. He was surprised Dirk hadn’t checked in. Maybe he planned on watching the warehouse all night.

He quickly dressed then dialed Dirk’s number. He didn’t answer and his gut soured.