My Wolf’s Bane(70)

Was Zack waiting for me to meet him half way? He’d already rejected me and told me he couldn’t get involved. Knowing that, if I encouraged him, wouldn’t I deserve the heartache that would surely come?

But I couldn’t look away.

“Autumn,” he said, so quietly I assumed if it was my imagination. “You’re not helping.”

“You want help?”

“Yes,” he pleaded.

To me, that was as good as his blessing to do as I wanted. As he wanted. I rose to meet him and nibbled his bottom lip. He moaned, which was all the encouragement I needed. My hands snaked under his loose T-shirt, my thumbs exploring the center line that separated his stomach muscles and led to his chest. He chucked off his shirt and returned to me.

I let my fingernails skate lightly over his shoulder blades and down his spine. He swooped and our tongues entwined, igniting a fire in my belly. I ached, wanting so much more, but then he eased off me just enough to separate our mouths.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said in a hoarse voice. “You’re supposed to have better control than me. You’re a girl.”

It wasn’t just that he’d ruined our moment. Again. He’d compounded his crime by saying something stupid. Regardless what came out of his mouth, it still equaled another rejection.

I squeezed my eyes shut and shoved him away. “Didn’t you learn anything from last night?”

His brows furrowed.

“Did I try to stop you up in my room when we were half naked? No, I didn’t. Here’s a clue for you: Girls like it too.” I gave his shoulder a jab, then rose from the couch and stomped toward the stairs to the thermostat. Even though I was too hot now.

“I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Let’s go for a run and work off some of our, uh, energy.”

† † †

“This time, I won’t forget. When you bark twice, I’ll turn around,” I assured Zack as we distanced ourselves from my house and went deeper into the forest.

“I won’t need to bark. I’ll talk to you telepathically,” he reminded me.

“You can do that in your wolf form?”

“Sure. Everything’s almost the same. When we’re wolves, we’re still just as aware and intelligent. But it’s duller, like having a few beers. In my human form, I don’t want to kill a rabbit and eat it raw and I do care about showering and stuff. As a wolf, none of that matters. I chomp down on a fresh kill and I’m in heaven.”

“Too much information, Zack,” I chided, mentally pushing away the image of the bloody animal.

“Don’t worry. I try to resist. I’ve gotten too paranoid someone will go hunting for whatever they think is killing the wildlife. I don’t want to get shot at.”

“Let’s go.” I bolted. I didn’t know Zack’s normal routine, but I intentionally expended double the energy I usually did. Ideally, once I got home, I’d be too tired to lust after Zack or do anything about it if I did lust.

After a hard run, Zack barked twice and this time I remembered to turn around. He dressed and we strolled down a path toward the empty field that led to my house. Unsure who may pop up in the woods, I spoke silently. “If I’m a shape-shifter, why don’t I morph?”

Zack froze, his jaw muscle going tight as he held up his index finger against his lips and squinted. The breeze picked up and I smelled him.

Get up in a tree, as high as you can. Now! he shouted into my head. My heart banged around in my chest, and I shot upward. In a flash, I was there, viewing Zack from above. He slowed his movements, plucking a leaf from a tree and rubbing the smooth, waxy surface. “Daniel. Nice of you to come by for a visit.”

“Where is she?”

“Who?” Zack asked.

“Don’t mess with me. I can smell her.”

“You’re not smelling Autumn. You’re smelling her scent. It’s actually me you smell.” Zack flashed him a cocky grin.

Daniel’s hands balled into fists. “No, it’s too strong. She’s close by.”

“You think I’d bring a human on a run and let her see me morph? Whoever turned you should’ve clued you in on the rules by now. Look around if you want though. Keep in mind that I’m staying at her house these days and she’s incredibly hot.” Zack grinned. “Can you think of any reason why her scent would be all over me?”

Daniel stiffened, took a step closer and hissed, “I warned you that I wasn’t finished with Autumn.”

“She’s mine now. Stay away from her.”

I knew Zack was only trying to get Daniel to give up on me, but Zack’s words she’s mine now sent a thrill through my bones anyway.