Page 22 of Howl For A Kiss
Had he wanted to kiss her back? The thought sent heat pooling low in her body.
Once inside her bedroom, Elena stripped off her clothes again and headed straight for the small attached bathroom. The hot shower was exactly what her shifting muscles needed, but as the water cascaded over her skin, her mind wandered to forbidden places.
Images of Damon's naked form filled her thoughts—the powerful lines of his chest, the way the moonlight had carved shadows across his abs, and the impressive evidence of his masculinity that she definitely shouldn't be thinking about.
Her hand drifted lower without conscious permission, and Elena gasped as pleasure sparked through her system. She'd never been one for self-indulgence, too focused on survival and rebellion to waste time on physical desires.
But tonight, with her wolf fully awakened and her body humming with new awareness of Damon, she couldn't stopherself from imagining what it would feel like to have his hands on her skin instead of her own.
As Elena climbed out of the shower, the hot water having done little to calm the restless energy thrumming through her, she pulled on fresh white lace undergarments that felt oddly delicate against her skin. Her awakened wolf seemed hyperaware of every sensation—the silk of her panties, the way her fitted long-sleeved white top hugged her curves, and how the black cargo pants molded to her hips.
She'd barely finished dressing when a soft knock echoed through her bedroom door.
"Elena?" Damon's deep voice sent an unexpected shiver through her body.
Heat flooded her cheeks as images from her shower fantasy crashed back—his naked form under the moonlight, the impressive evidence of his masculinity, and the way her own hands had moved across her heated skin while imagining his touch instead.
God, could he somehow smell her arousal?
Elena opened the door and immediately regretted it. Damon stood in the hallway wearing his fitted thermal black henley and dark jeans, looking devastatingly masculine in the cabin's warm lighting. His eyes darkened the moment they met hers, his pupils dilating as his nostrils flared almost imperceptibly.
She felt exposed, as if those intelligent eyes could see straight through to her core, right to her wanton thoughts she'd been entertaining mere minutes ago.
"I—" Elena's voice came out breathier than intended. She cleared her throat and tried again. "What do you need?"
"Are you tired?" His voice held that rough quality that made her pulse quicken dangerously. "Or would you like to plan some more for our attack tomorrow evening?"
"Yes," she answered immediately, perhaps too eagerly.
A slow smile curved Damon's lips—the kind that made her think of dangerous things in dark places. "Yes to being tired, or yes to planning?"
"Planning," Elena managed, hyperaware of his intoxicating scent. "Definitely planning."
His smile widened, transforming his usually stoic features into something that made her heart race. "Good. I think we can refine our strategy even further."
Elena followed him down the hallway, noting the predatory grace in his movements. Everything about Damon screamed alpha male—from the confident set of his shoulders to the way he seemed to command the space around him without effort.
Once inside the makeshift office, Damon spread his reconnaissance notes across the small desk. The lamplight cast shadows that emphasized the sharp angles of his face, making him appear even more striking than usual.
"Your idea about the quick, deliberate strike has merit," he said, leaning over the map. "But if we combine it with my suggestion about entering through the blind spot near the maintenance shed on the north side..."
Elena found herself drawn closer to him, ostensibly to study the tactical layout but really because his proximity made her wolf purr with satisfaction. She could smell his scent even stronger in the confined space—pine and something distinctly masculine that made her want to bury her face against his neck.
"The maintenance shed gives us cover," she agreed, forcing herself to focus on strategy rather than the way his forearm muscles flexed as he pointed to various locations. "And if we position our backup team here?—"
"They'll have clear sightlines to provide cover fire if things go sideways." Damon's approval warmed her more than it should have.
They held a companionable discussion for several minutes, their earlier friction from this morning replaced by seamless collaboration. She found herself grudgingly admitting that his surgical precision balanced her aggressive tendencies perfectly.
"You're brilliant at this," she said, glancing up from the map to find him watching her with piercing intensity. "You seem to have extensive experience with reconnaissance and attack missions."
Something flickered across Damon's features—too quick for her to identify, but it felt like wariness.
"Logan trained our Silvercrest rebel group well," he said carefully. "I learned a lot from him about stealth and strategy."
Elena carefully studied his face, noting the subtle tension around his eyes. "That's not it, though."
"What do you mean?"
