Page 16 of Red

Oh, this is all sorts of fucked up!

I panic abruptly. I squeeze my eyelids shut and shake my head, pinching myself. Surely it must be just my imagination.

After I pop one eye back open to check, he’s still here, looking half-entertained half-worried, which accurately mirrors how I feel myself.

He steps closer, and very gently taking my chin, he guides me to crane my neck. When our eyes meet, he exhales heavily.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispers huskily with what can only be described as admiration. He then clears his throat, as if remembering what he wanted to say prior. “You have nothing to fear, I promise. I’m very sorry for scaring you earlier, it was never my intention. I’d die before letting anything happen to you.”

Goddammit.

“That’s intense.”

“See what you did to me?” The corners of his mouth jerk up slightly, and I figure that’s how he smiles. His calloused palms slide down my shoulders as he leans and buries his snout in my curls, inhaling.

Is he smelling my hair?

I then feel his cool, wet nose against my earlobe while he rasps, “I’m crazy for you.” Histongue slowly drags through the entire length of my neck. I gladly tilt my head back, giving him a better access to my skin. He’s holding my hips at this point, and I’ve honestly never been this horny for anyone before.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Stop it! You’re allowed to be attracted to him.

“Ready for that bath?” He straightens, and by the distance from the ceiling to the tips of his ears, I estimate he’s about 7’4” tall. The very top of my head hits below his chest, and I have to rub my thighs together as I take note.

I only nod in response to him, and he places me in the bubbly paradise. Warmth of the water relaxes all my muscles, and I realize how much I needed that. Because let me tell you, that was some exercise right there!

A loud sigh escapes me as I shut my eyes to rest, immersing deeper.

I hear his voice saying, “Perhaps I should give you privacy.”

Immediately, I regain my vision and notice him already standing by the door.

“Aren’t you going to join me?” I’m unable to hide the sheer disappointment in my tone. “I’m sure you can squeeze in.”

I see his tail wagging behind as he’s clearlyhappy with my invitation. He approaches back before taking a seat across from me, just barely fitting in the tub.

I gawk at him and can’t stop the words that are leaving my mouth, “You were a dog.”

“Technically, it’s a wolf,” he corrects.

Fucking Dean was right, but I think I knew from the start. Then I remember. “I tried to give you kibble!” I whine, hiding my mortified face in my hands.

“Not our best memory.” He makes a joke out of it. Granted, I didn’t know any better, but why do I feel like I’ve hurt his feelings?

“What do you eat?” I ask, curious.

“Mostly variety of animal meat, depending on what’s available in the wilderness. But also, fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and some plants.” Certainly a healthier diet than my junk food.

“Do you transform into anything else?”

“A man.”

That piques my interest. “Could you show me?” I’m super intrigued to see, even though I like him the way he is.

“My apologies, but it wouldn’t work now. I’m too distracted to phase having you naked in front of me for the first time. It’s difficult to holdthat shape as it is on a regular day.”

“Oh.” He’s into me.

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