Page 25 of Red

“Alex, you’rea lotright now. Can you give me some space to gather my thoughts?”

He gazes at me with his magnificent golden eyes clouded, and I know he’s unhappy. But I also trust him enough to be sure he won’t try to force me into anything.

You’ve literally known him for less than a day.

How can I trust him then? What reason do I have? Granted, he hasn’t killed me yet, and it doesn’t look like he plans to. But he’s a different species than me, most likely way more powerful than I can even comprehend.

“Please? We can discuss this later.”

“Call me when you need me.” He stands.

“I don’t have your number.”

He sounds amused when he tells me, “Use your voice.”

“Will you still be watching me?”

“No, but I’ll stay close enough to hear.” He moves to the terrace door.

Why do I immediately feel bad?

“Wait.” I approach him and grab his hand like I could ever stop him from anything. “Kiss me?”

He scoops me up easily with a single arm and brings my face to his eye-level. He licks my lips and I return the passion, teasing his tongue with mine. My legs dangle high in the air as he’s easily two feet taller, so I wrap them around his waist. He tastes so sweet, addictive even, and I can’t hold out a moan. He fists my hair, gently pulling to angle my head as he deepens the kiss. The feeling is electric, sending tingles down my spine, making my toes curl.

When the moment is over, I lean my warm forehead against the top of his head, petting the thick fur around his neck, while we both enjoy the lingering intimacy.

“Do you have a place to go?” I ask, ashamed to kick him outside. “You can hang around, butI need to work.”

“I’ll be fine.” He puts me back down.

“You’re not going to disappear, right?”

“No, I couldn’t even if I tried to, my love,” he tells me before he heads out.

Right after work I pop a wine bottle open before I even start the dinner. I actually might’ve done it still on the clock, but that’s something my boss doesn’t need to know about—Perks of having a remote job! I did get in trouble for being extra late this morning, though, and she’ll have me on her radar now, for sure.

My cheeks are already getting rosy by the second glass, and I know I should stop. But give me a break! A girl can only handle so much.

Werewolves are real and I let one hump me senseless few hours before. And what’s more, it was so fucking sexy, just the thought of it makes my stomach fill with butterflies and flutter.

Sexy? Butterflies?

Have I not seen what big teeth he has?

Oh, but what a long tongue he has too! All the better to eat me out with…

Why am I like this?

The chokehold he has on me, however.

I dumped this gorgeousman, an Ivy League alumnus on his path to the White House, who maybe would marry me one day, making me his First Lady. These weren’t my life aspirations or anything, and I’m convinced that blonde hoe is much more thrilled about the idea. But I know I should at the very least be sad about how things ended. Instead, all I’m able to think about is my werewolf stalker turns pet turns lover, and his large, calloused hands on me.

He really pissed me off this morning yet I’m unable to stay mad at him to save my life.

What was that about my birth control pills? I’ve checked their expiration date just to make sure, but they are good and should be working properly.

And what the fuck is up with him wanting to leave with me? I mean, he’s probably right—it’s too dangerous for him to stay around here, no matter how secluded my cottage is. Though, me living in the wilderness or some shit?

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