Page 12 of Her Convict Wolf

Maxim

Iwant Emory Manzoni like I’ve never wanted anything in my life.

I’m lying on the couch in her living room, staring up at the ceiling. It’s the softest bed I’ve lain on in a long, long time, believe me. But I’ve barely slept. My animal’s been churning inside me all night long.

It’s chosen her…

And it’s so goddamn wrong.

She’s fifteen years younger than me, and she used to be my… my what? Surrogate niece? Little sister? A kid I used to protect, anyway. And I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this.

But she’s no longer a little kid—she’s a sexy woman with ripe curves. And all I can think about is how much I want to strip her naked, bathe every inch of her body with my tongue, then plunge my cock between her sweet thighs and take her innocence.

The sight of her last night in nothing but a flimsy white tank-top and those tiny pink shorts… I’m sure she had no idea they were semi-transparent, and when she flicked her lamp on, I could see the dark shape of her pebbled nipples and the outline of her little pussy. I just about blew my load. It was all I could do to control my beast.

I’m a dirty, dirty wolf, and I’m going to hell.

My animal thinks it’s found its mate at last. But she can’t be mine. She’s too young. And, despite the family she was born into, too innocent for a man like me.

I’m not going to notice how luscious her tits and ass are.

I’m not going to imagine how my cock would feel sliding between those sweet cherry lips of hers.

I’m going to protect her, that’s all.

And I’ve already screwed up. I should’ve gotten her the hell out of here last night. Bodyguarding her is not a good idea, at all. But when she explained how important it was for her to stay in Perdue, she twisted a knife in my gut. She’s finally found her people here, a shred of happiness. God knows she’s had little enough happiness in her life.

Sure, I can keep her safe on the streets. Eighteen years of doing this job, and I’m the best in my profession.

But what if someone takes me out? What if the prison service catches up with me and hauls me back to jail? All the shit that went down yesterday was less than a half hour from here. It won’t take a genius to follow the trail back to Perdue.

I snort out a laugh. Twenty-four hours ago, nothing would’ve gotten me out of prison. It was where I wanted to be. Helping my brother was the only thing that mattered. But now…

The bonds of brotherhood are unbreakable. But so is the mate bond. And she’s so vulnerable. She needs my protection.

I mean what I said—I’m never leaving her alone again.

A memory drifts up from the depths:

Once she asked if I would marry her when she grew up. What a funny little thing she was. So earnest.

One day, you’ll find someone your own age, I told her, trying to keep a straight face. I couldn’t have known that when she reached adulthood, my animal would choose her.

Now the answer is yes.

I’d marry her in a heartbeat.

Put a ring on her finger.

Right after I’d given her my claiming mark.

There’s a muffled creak. I jerk upright. Her bedroom door is opening. My wolf’s ears prick up. Every part of me stands to attention. And I meanevery part. I hunch forward so she won’t notice my monster erection as she emerges.

Her auburn bob is all mussed, and she’s wearing a bathrobe, and her feet are bare. Does that mean she’s naked underneath it? My beast’s nostrils snuffle, desperate to pick up her scent.

Her gaze shoots over to me, checking whether I’m awake. It’s adorable. She’s all shy now, like we are strangers again.

“Good morning,” I say, keeping my voice low so I don’t scare her.

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