Page 115 of Blue Moon Mistress

I hear him chuckle on the other side of the door. “Do what you need to do in there, but don’t take long. When I make it to the kitchen, the countdown clock starts and if you run out, someone else is going to come after you.”

It’s tempting, but I pee and clean myself up as best as I can… My underwear will have to do the rest.

But when I slip back out, my underwear have miraculously disappeared. There isn’t a single pair in my bag.

This time, there isn’t one of Johnny’s t-shirts waiting for me, but that’s okay. I brought a robe with me, and it might not smell as good, but it certainly slides across my skin with a sweeter caress.

Pulling a small canvas bag from my purse, I follow the sounds of four men in various states of waking up.

I step into the kitchen, planning to confront whichever of them went through my clothes and confiscated my underwear, but Thomas is ready and waiting with a cup of tea and when I thank him, Chase has already started his question.

“Do you have any plans for today?” He looks at me hopefully and I think, once again, of the possibility of a Saturday spent in bed.

“The only thing I need to do is start my prep for the full moon, but that can wait until Monday.”

They all shift uncomfortably.

“You’re sure?” Thomas asks. “That we’re not going to change?”

“Completely sure. But that doesn’t mean that I have plans to spend the night with anyone but you.”

Theydon’t look sure, but there’s nothing I’m going to be able to do to reassure them until they live through the thirtieth.

“After all, I should keep an eye on you. I’m not sure if any other part of your wolfy nature will linger. But your bodies will not change.”

They don’t love that answer, but they accept it.

“I have something for you.” I hold up the bag and give it a little shake.

They eye the canvas with varying levels of suspicion and excitement.

“No one said we were exchanging gifts.” Joshua catches me around the waist and drags me back to him.

“Not gifts. Essentials.”

I reach into the bag and they all come out in a clump, but only Johnny’s is actually a tangle, so I pluck Joshua’s free first.

“A little protection from bad things that can’t be physically fought.” I set the others on the counter and take Joshua’s wrist. “I know construction guys can get weird, so I braided it up like one of those tactical ones and used a rough stone so it won’t catch the light.”

“It’s perfect.” He presses a kiss to my temple.

“Amber isn’t necessarily the most protective stone there is, but it’ll be enough for the average, day to day things.”

I kiss his wrist and wiggle from his grip when he’s distracted. Chase is closest, so I pluck his from the pile and dangle it in front of him.

“I felt the need to make you an earring.”

He takes it from me looking at the three stones twined in copper, “I love it.” when he switches it out, he gives it a little shake.

“I tried to keep it as short as possible, so it wouldn’t bug you.” Kissing his neck, just below the dangling stones, I turn to Thomas next.

His tangled up with Johnny’s pretty bad, but it comes apart with just a few twists and tugs.

“You get a necklace, because I thought it would be better for under your work clothes too. And I made it as flat as possible, so it’d be okay under your workout clothes.” And I’d wanted each piece to be as different as the men who wore them.

I’d let my fingers guide me as I made them, and when I was done with Thomas’ there was only one option.

“Sure you’re not trying to collar me?”

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