Page 105 of Vicious Luna

“I dabble.”

His lips spread into a grin. “Maybe Sloane could get you a job in the IT hub with the six-pack.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I mutter, averting my gaze. “I’m not really sure how long I’ll be sticking around."

Cole’s brows shoot up in surprise. “What about Avery?”

“That’s kind of up to her, I guess.”

“I’m sure you two will figure it out,” he replies gruffly, stretching an arm over the back of the bench. “And for what it’s worth, you’re welcome in Denver anytime. I know it was never your home, but there’s a place for you there if you ever want it. I mean, you’d technically have a claim to the pack, as my eldest son.”

I snort a laugh. “Yeah, how would that go over with them?” I ask, the sarcasm thick in my tone. “Think they’d want a former hunter running things?”

He just stares back at me, the muscle in his jaw ticking.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I sigh, leaning back against the bench and waving a hand. “Doesn’t matter, anyways. I just learned how to shift, I’ve got no business trying to take chargeof a bunch of other shifters that have been doing it their whole lives. Or stepping on your son’s toes, for that matter. I’d rather just do my own thing, maybe visit sometimes.”

“Anytime,” he reiterates, nodding. “No pressure, but your siblings are dying to meet you. My mate, too.”

“Still trying to wrap my head around the fact I’ve got siblings out there,” I admit.

“And you’ve got the rest of your life for them to annoy you now,” he remarks, snorting a laugh.

We chat for a while longer, until our coffees are drained and the sun slips lower in the sky. Then we both push up to our feet, stretching our limbs, and that initial feeling of awkwardness returns as I debate how to say goodbye to Cole Bauer.

Do we hug? Shake hands? What’s the protocol here?

He steps toward me and extends a hand, so I slap mine into his, settling for a handshake. But then he uses it to pull me in, bumping his chest against mine and clapping me on the back with his other hand.

“I’m so glad we were able to meet,” he rasps in my ear, holding me captive in an awkward bro hug that feels way better than it has any right to.

I clap my own hand against his back, returning the gesture as I murmur, “me too.”

I’m not sure where we’ll go from here or what kind of relationship we’ll be able to forge, but this feels like a solid first step in rebuilding the wreckage of my life.

It feels good.

It feels like a new start.

46

Ipull my faded blue tank top down over my torso, sliding a sideways glance in Cam’s direction as he steps into his sweatpants and tugs them up his hips. The muscles of his bare torso ripple and flex with his movements, and while it's a major faux pas in shifter culture to perv on someone before or after a shift, I can't help it where Cam's concerned. The damn mate bond has me wanting to jump his bones twenty-four seven.

The feeling’s definitely mutual. Cam never keeps his eyes down when I’m naked; he stares like a savage beast who wants to devour me. And I'd be lying if I said that feral look he gets in his eyes doesn't make me all kinds of hot and bothered.

“So, how’d I do this time?” Cam asks, adjusting the tie at the waist of his pants.

It takes a second for his question to register since I’m practically drooling at the sight of him shirtless. I snap out of my trance, jerking my gaze up to meet his and quickly composing myself. “You’re becoming a natural,” I reply smoothly, my lips curving into a smile. “By this time next week, you’ll be shifting faster than me. Still won’t be able to catch my wolf, though.”

He chuckles lowly, shaking his head as he stalks closer. “You wanna bet?” he growls, planting his hands on my hips. “I always catch you, Luna.”

“Only because I let you,” I smirk, lifting a hand and booping the tip of his nose with a finger.

He snatches my wrist, golden flecks igniting in his irises as he leans in closer. “Just admit it, you like the hunt as much as I do,” he murmurs, fingers tightening around my hip.

I sink my teeth into my lower lip and bat my lashes coyly. “Maybe.”

He rubs his thumb back and forth across my inner wrist, staring into my eyes with so much intensity that it feels like I might burst into flames at any moment. “Admit it,” he repeats, the low, gravelly tone of his voice turning my blood molten in my veins.

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