Page 65 of Wolf Mate

“Do you have all night? Because I’m applying to vet school and taking all the required science classes.”

He beamed. “A vet. Really?”

The way he smiled had warmth spreading throughout my body. “Yeah. That’s why I came to school here.” I paused and lifted my free hand. “Well, that and the scholarship. I’ve been told animals are unusually drawn to me.”

I both loved and hated how natural this whole conversation was between us. Talking to him was easy, more so than talking with Lucy.

“It’s your calming presence.” He scratched the back of his neck. “It’s easy to feel comfortable around you.”

“Doesn’t seem that way when I’m around you and Keith.” I laughed dryly. “Or your dad.”

“Well, yeah.” He shrugged. “We can sense you have some sort of influence over us, which makes us wary. We have stronger wolves, and we aren’t used to anyone affecting us like that. But I have to admit, I’m glad you’ve been able to help Lucy. She’s always felt like she has to be perfect—you being assigned as her roommate has been Fate’s blessing.”

“What?” I tilted my head. “We don’t do anything special.”

“Nah, and that’s what makes it nice. She can be herself around you. She said after you two watchCriminal Mindstogether, she can go to sleep without issue.”

That sentence alone would scare most people. Who would find watching a show about murders relaxing? Apparently, Lucy and I did.

We reached the tree line, and I expected Raffe to take the opportunity to split off from me, but he didn’t slow down or release my hand as we continued to my apartment.

He rubbed his lips. “Lucy felt bad about not following you earlier, after the situation with my parents, but she stayed with them to keep Mom from going after you and asking questions.”

“I’m glad she didn’t find me.” When I got like that, it was best for me to be alone. “It would’ve been weird if she’d come into the bathroom stall with me.”

He laughed, the sound deep and carefree. “That’s fair.”

At the apartment entrance, he opened the door for me. He released my hand and followed me inside.

I tried to hide my smile. He was walking me to my door.

I wasn’t sure what to say, but the silence wasn’t tense. It was as if we’d known each other for years.

Outside my door, I turned to him. “Thank you for everything tonight.”

He pursed his lips. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

My hands stilled. “You said you were taking me to my apartment. I figured you’d want to go back and hang out with your … friends.” I still couldn’t make myself sayJosie.

“I thought we could hang out.” He shrugged and fidgeted. “I told them I wasn’t coming back.”

“Oh.” My jaw dropped a little.

He smirked, wrapping one arm around my waist and punching in the code.

The door clicked, and he pushed it open. He shuffled me backward into the apartment.

My skin prickled with awareness. We were alone.

When the door shut, he spun me around and caged me between his arms and the door.

“It’s about damn time I got you alone,” he murmured, his breath fanning my face and mixing with his unique scent.

My head fogged, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol.

He lowered his head, his eyes on my lips.

Everything inside me screamed to let him kiss me. If my lips tingled from just a brush, I could only imagine how intoxicating a full kiss would feel.

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