Page 6 of Wolfgang

He could picture it all perfectly. A soft sage color on the walls. A California king with a forest-green comforter dominating the space.

And a blond head of hair spread out on the pillow.

Wolfe allowed himself a rare, true smile.

Yes, it was all going to be absolute perfection.

Boring. This is boring.

Wolfe’s smile fell, his lips pursing in irritation. His beast had been unbearably petulant ever since it had realized there were much more enticing pursuits in this town. It had no concept of patience, of planning. Of the two of them, only Wolfe had the sense to know practicalities had to be dealt with; a proper living situation needed to be considered top priority. And, luckily for them both, Wolfe was in a position to take care of it.

Well, really, luck had nothing to do with it. He hadn’t completely wasted the months Johann had been away. Wolfe had moved some finances around, stashed enough away that this little mansion would be no strain. None of it was anything compared to the nest egg coming his way soon, but it was a start.

Shall we make things more interesting for you? he asked his beast, peering briefly once more into the en suite bathroom. The tub there was more than adequate, large enough to fit two grown men easily. He took a moment to straighten his hair in the mirror, pushing the light-brown strands back into the appropriate side part. It wouldn’t do to look slovenly for such a momentous occasion.

No answer from the impatient thing inside him. It was still pouting.

No matter. Wolfe knew how to draw it out.

“Miss Wilson,” he called lightly, stepping back into the bedroom, making some mental measurements while he was at it.

He waited for the clack of her heels on the stairs, smoothed the temporary comforter with one hand as he heard her approaching down the hall.

“Yes, Mr. Volker? Would you like to see the backyard again?” she offered, stepping into the bedroom, paperwork that hadn’t been there before now notably in her hands. Clever woman, going in for the kill.

“No need.” Wolfe waved a hand, encompassing the space around him. “I’ll be taking it.”

“Oh?” Miss Wilson’s smile was sharp and victorious, but she still managed to feign the appropriate surprise. “How wonderful!”

“Yes, quite. But there is one more thing.” Wolfe approached slowly, allowing his human face to retreat and his beast to come forward.

Poor Miss Wilson’s eyes widened, and she took a step back, toward the door.

“Wha—what?”

Under normal circumstances, it might have been amusing to see her run, but Wolfe didn’t want the hardwood floors scuffed by her heels. This was their new home, after all, his and the good doctor’s. So he laced his voice with compulsion as he met her frightened eyes. “You’re not afraid, Miss Wilson.”

Her retreat stopped in an instant, her tense features slackening immediately into complacency.

It was always such a rush, changing someone’s mind against their will that way. It was a shame it didn’t work on other vampires.

“Come here,” Wolfe commanded softly.

Miss Wilson stepped in front of him.

“Give me your wrist.”

She lifted her arm.

Wolfe rested her forearm on his open palms, then bit in with sharp teeth, warm copper filling his mouth.

There. He thought rather than spoke the words, as his mouth was occupied.Isn’t this better?

But his beast only huffed at him in annoyance, even as it greedily drank down what was offered.

Petulant creature. Wolfe knew what it really wanted, why it was turning its nose up at what was a perfectly delicious human. And really, that was fine.

There was only one thing either of them had wanted since the week before, when their whole world had turned on its side.

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