Page 11 of Posing for the Artist Wolf

He laughed, and the sound set off a whole swarm of butterflies in my belly. I wanted to make him laugh more. Smile more. Be more.

I wanted to taste it.

Kai must have had the same thought, because his grin turned wicked as his eyes dropped to my lips. I leaned in, intoxicated by the nearness of him. I could smell the faint hint of cologne—spicy and woodsy—and his own unique scent, like pine needles and cool night air.

He released my hands and lifted his to my face, cradling my cheeks with calloused palms. His touch sparked an electric current across my skin. His breath ghosted over my lips a fraction of a second before they met.

Desire surged through me, hot and needy. Kai’s tongue pressed against mine, exploring the inside of my mouth. A low moan slipped free, and I melted into him, losing myself in his kiss.

I moved closer, practically crawling into his lap. My knees straddled his legs, my hands diving into his hair as I kissed him fiercely. He growled into my mouth, his hands sliding to my hips. I gasped as he gripped me harder, pulling me forward to grind against the already hard ridge of his cock.

I tugged at his hair, drawing a delicious moan from his throat. A wild, primal pleasure raced through me, knowing I’d drawn that sound from him. Knowing I had power over this big, powerful man.

Suddenly, Kai’s body went rigid. He grasped my shoulders and practically threw me off his lap, scrambling backward until he hit the far wall. His eyes were wide with panic, his chest heaving.

“Kai?” I gasped, my heart racing. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he doubled over, a strangled groan escaping his throat. I watched in horror as his body contorted, bones cracking and reshaping beneath his skin. His clothes tore away as thick, dark fur sprouted across his body.

Fur. Dark fur. The same dark fur as the stray dog I’d been trying to help since I moved to town.

Only, this was no dog.

A massive wolf crouched where Kai had stood moments before.

Not real. Not real. This couldn’t be real.

But as the wolf’s green eyes locked onto mine, I knew this was no figment of my imagination. This was real. And I needed to get the fuck out of there.

I lunged for my jacket and boots. My attention snapped to the door, gauging the distance. If I could just make it outside...

As if reading my thoughts, the wolf—Kai—moved with lightning speed, positioning himself between me and the exit. He lowered his head, a low growl rumbling in his chest.

I froze, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. The wolf took a step toward me and I stumbled backward, my legs hitting the couch. Only then did he stop growling.

“Kai,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Please...”

The wolf’s ears twitched at the sound of his name, but he didn’t back down. As we stared at each other, human and beast, I realized with growing dread that I wasn’t going anywhere.

CHAPTER FOUR

CLAIRE

Ijolted awake, wincing as a couch spring jabbed into my hip. Sunlight streamed through a dusty window, showing off unfamiliar surroundings and a ripped sketchbook strewn across the floor.

The events of last night crashed over me like a tidal wave of fuckery. Kai. His drawings. The... transformation.

A wolf. A real life, snarling wolf. One who growled every time I stepped toward the door, and quieted once my ass sat back on the lumpy cushions. Who I watched mangle his artwork with growls and snaps of his slavering maw, wondering when he’d turn those fangs on me.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I scanned the room, relief flooding through me when I realized I was alone. No sign of Kai—or the wolf.

Now was my chance.

I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the protests of my stiff muscles. My clothes were rumpled from sleeping in them, but rumpled was far better than torn and bloody. I shoved my feet into my boots and yanked on my coat.

My fingers trembled with the rush of fear and adrenaline as I carefully pushed the door open and stepped into the frigid morning air. My every nerve was on high alert, expecting a snarl and flash of teeth at any moment. But none came.

The stairs creaked beneath my feet as I descended into the entryway, and I winced at every sound. But Kai—wolf-Kai—remained out of sight.

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