Page 27 of Wolf

My mind swirls with questions but I’m sure he wouldn’t be inclined to give me the answers in his present mood and absently I wonder if he’s ever anything but grumpy or grumpier.

“How did you get here?” he asks, and I point to Darcy’s vehicle.

Wolf drags me along and I follow, simultaneously relieved to be moving away from the crowd but annoyed that Wolf ruined what I was hoping would be something I could relive when my parents come home, and I’m trapped in their expectations once more.

Wolf ignores my silent pouting until I stumble over a rock in these darn shoes, and he catches me before I fall, pulling me back against his chest.

Closing my eyes, I consider what’s pressing against my butt. The wild girl crying to be free wants to lean back and feel. But it’s warring with the real me, who’s brooding over Wolf’s lecture and strangely ashamed to have disappointed him.

“Lilli,” he groans, turning toward the car next to us and setting me down. His body presses against mine and I have no choice but to lean against the vehicle.

When the cool window meets my chest, I shiver at the sensation while his warm breath puffs against my neck. Turning my head, I meet his gaze over my shoulder and a low hum of pleasure dances across my skin.

His fingers clench around my hips before he splays them on top of the car.

He’s so close, if I stepped back, I’d feel his body against mine, but Mama’s words hold me back.A man may drink of the nectar offered but once he’s drunk his fill, who’s to say he'll buy the honeycomb?

Although I don’t always agree with her, I also know what Darcy said. Wolf “messes around” and this aligns all too closely with Mama’s decree.

While I have my internal battle, Wolf stands behind me, the warmth of his body embracing mine. He doesn’t speak or move until I spin around.

That’s when his mouth drops to mine. For a moment so brief, it’s like it almost never happened, I forget about everything but the sensation of his soft heavenly lips. When I sigh, his tongue slips inside and brushes mine.

My heart thumps as I clutch his shoulder but before I can truly experience the moment, he pulls back and rasps, “It’s not safe for you here, baby girl. You gotta listen to me. Stay the fuck away.”

Still processing my disappointment, I look up as he backs up, meeting his glittering gaze. Not safe how? Is he referring to the possible punishment waiting for me if Daddy ever finds out? Or maybe it’s him and the scorching stare that sends a tingle down my spine.

I guess it doesn’t matter because Darcy breaks the spell when she appears behind Wolf and he spins away, dismissing me as he barks, “Take her home. Neither of you belong here.”

Her brows slam over her eyes but he walks away before she can comment. Watching him go, I silently sigh because once again, what promised to be something I would no doubt remember forever, ended before it even started.

“I knew I should have told you to fuck off,” Darcy grumbles and my heart sinks to my toes.

Once we’re in the car, she proceeds to ignore me and uncomfortable in the tense silence, I turn to the window and watch the trees recede in the distance.

Every time Wolf tells me to stay away, I feel a little piece of my soul break apart. I know he’s dangerous. I’m not that naive but I guess when I’m around him, everything drummed into me by Daddy fades away. Although gruff and grumpy, he’s just a man.

I wish he would see me as a woman, though. Because for all our interactions, the only thing he wants to do is keep me away from the fun, while I crave the adventure, I know is waiting for me if I just grab it.

“You know the sheriff’s all over his ass, right?” Darcy says, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Oh?” It’s all I can say because Wolf just gave me the same warning. Except… “How do you know?”

Snorting, she turns on her blinker and looks both ways before saying, “He dates my mom.”

Dates…is that a euphemism for what her mama really does? Wisely, I don’t ask, as she continues, “The skeevy fucker has a hard on for the Saints, sorta like your daddy…”

Shuddering, I turn my face to the window. I’m not my daddy and other than seeing the sheriff once a week on Sunday, I don’t have anything to do with him either.

What I do shouldn’t be anyone’s business but mine. Still, I know the risk when it comes to my parents. Would Daddy tell the sheriff if he caught me going out?

“Look,” Darcy says, and I glance at her sideways.

What now? I get it. I messed up her plans, but I was only trying to have a little fun. Sue me.

“You don’t wanna mess with the sheriff. He ain’t a nice guy.”

I can’t say that I have an opinion either way beyond the fact that Wolf is worried about him and turning in my seat, I ask, “What do you mean?”

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