Page 76 of Can't Help Growling in Love
“Would it be better if I didn’t wash?” I ask him softly, sifting my fingers through his fur. “I need to wipe myself or I’ll leave trails all over your house, but I don’t have to shower if you want me smelling like you.”
He lifts his gaze to my face. “You’d do that?”
“Yeah.” I grin down at him. “So, no showering. But I do have to use the bathroom, and you can’t come with.”
His lips twitch up in a smile. “I’m fine for now. Can’t say what’ll happen later, but I’m not so far gone that I wouldn’t let you pee in peace.”
Snorting, I scramble from the bed and make for the bathroom. At the door, I glance back to find him watching my ass, and he grins guiltily.
“I’ll start breakfast,” he tells me, rising. “Or is it lunch? Is it wrong to eat waffles for lunch?”
I shake my head. “Never.”
Some hours later, we’ve had food, a nap, and even managed to watch half of the 1992 version ofDracula, laughing at the ridiculous portrayal of the vampires in the movie. Asher seems to be doing fine as long as he keeps his hands on me.
From our first encounter at that coffee shop, he’s become so much more relaxed around me, and it’s amazing to see. Now that the pull of the moon is riding him harder and harder, we’ve figured out that touching helps. His heartbeat slows when I’m in his arms, and the moment he puts his nose to my neck and huffs in a breath, his shoulders drop a notch.
I love it. His attention fills some hidden part of my soul that I didn’t know was gaping empty. Now I get to luxuriate in it, in the knowledge that Asher is just as smitten with me as I am with him.
But the sun is setting, and if the low growls echoing from Asher’s chest beside me are any indication, we’re about to find out just how strong the effect of the full moon will be on my boyfriend.
Asher reaches for the remote and puts the movie on pause. “There’s one more thing we haven’t talked about.”
I turn to him. “Yeah?”
He cups the back of my neck and strokes his thumb over my skin. “The location of the bite,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble. “You need to tell me where you want it. If I bite up here, it’ll be visible to everyone.”
“Oh.” I sit back, thinking. “You’re sure you can bite me without nicking a major vein or something?”
He nods. “I read the chapters about it in those books you borrowed. Apparently, the instinct to protect your mate is strong enough that it makes it easier to know where to bite down. And how deeply.”
I think of my scrubs, and the V-neck collar that would show off the bite if it was on the side of my neck.
“Here.” I point at the spot where my neck meets my shoulder. “It’ll stay under my uniform at work, but I’ll be able to show it off whenever I choose in our private lives. I want people to know. And I think it’ll look lovely right here.”
His gaze darkens. “It’ll look fucking fantastic. Now we have to get you ready.”
I blink at him. “What do you mean? We did that earlier. I’m ready.”
“I feel it, June.” He cracks his neck, then glances to the east window. “It’s almost risen. The trees will hide it at first, but once it’s over the horizon, it’ll have its full effect on me.”
“Okay.” I jump to my feet, anticipation rising in me. “What do I need to do?”
Asher stands and stomps past me to the bedroom. I follow, bemused, until he swipes the lube off the nightstand and tosses it to me.
“Make yourself ready. I’ll wait.” He takes my chin and tilts it up for a kiss. “I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.”
My pussy squeezes at his words. That’s how far gone I am for him. I kiss him back, opening my mouth for him, and touch my tongue to his, ravenous for his touch.
“You won’t hurt me,” I whisper. “I’ll get ready, but know that I want this. I want you so much, Asher, and I want to experience this night with you. All of it. The fucking, the biting, the touching. Okay? Never doubt that.”
He leans his forehead against mine. “Okay. But June?”
“Hmm?” I close my eyes, enjoying this quiet moment that feels like the calm before the storm.
He gives me one last hard kiss. “Hurry.”
I rush into the bathroom and use the toilet, then drink water from the tap. I have no clue what exactly will happen beyond sex, and lots of it, so I don’t want to get dehydrated. I remove my leggings and panties, deciding that Asher’s sweatshirt is enough coverage for now. We’ll be naked in minutes, probably, so I’d rather save this pair of underwear than have Asher tear it off me with his teeth. Then I uncap the lube and squeeze a dollop onto my fingers.
