Page 17 of Howl Me to the Moon
"Oh, you know… just wondering what he was doing sniffing around you."Sniffing? Did I really have to phrase it like that? That certainly didn’t convey nonchalance on my part.
"Sniffing?" she echoed and arched a brow. "That seems to be more your forte, Mr. Forte.” She flashed me a knowing smile. “I often see those nostrils flaring when they’re on patrol…”
Especially when I can catch a scent of her.
“You know what I mean,” I said. “There’s something about him, something off with his scent.”
She tapped the side of her nose. “Ah, right. Your superior sense of smell. Is your magical detector going off?” she teased.
“It’s just…” I rolled my shoulders, hearing how ridiculous I might sound. “He doesn’t seem pure fox.”
“So what if he isn’t? Although I’ve only heard him mention fox.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “What’s really going on, Rex? Are you a little jealous of Sloane?"
"No," I replied quickly, my muscles stiffening as I straightened my posture. "Why would I be? He’s your coworker. I’m just looking out for you."
Who was I trying to convince—her or myself?
"You have nothing to worry about," she assured me. “I’ve worked with Sloane for a long time.” Her lips curled into a smirk. "But your protectiveness is kind of cute."
Cute.
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to relax. At least she found my reaction amusing, not ridiculously territorial. Wolves could be notoriously possessive when it came to their fated mate.
My wolf moaned with pleasure.Mate, he echoed.
That was something huge to consider. Because the more time I spent with Piper, the more I grew convinced my wolf was right. She was the one.
I’d never felt this strongly about anyone before. And after last night’s kiss, I knew I never would. She was the one, the only one—my fated mate.
But how could I reveal that to her? All we’d shared was a kiss. How could I admit to her that what I felt for her was more—so much more—than she could have possibly considered? Something so monumental, it was for life.
Picturing how she might react, most likely with rejection, heated my body, leaving it covered with a sheen of perspiration. She’d only just met me. If I pounced around her like a puppy with a new toy, declaring she was mine, mine, mine, I sure as hell would scare her away. I rubbed my brow.
“Everything okay, Rex?” She peered at me with concern.
“Yeah, just thinking.”
“About?”
“What we can do for fun on this ship.” I nudged her arm. “Come on.”
CHAPTER 12
PIPER
Although it was hard to turn off my worries about the fate of the painting, I had resolved to take a little break tonight and enjoy the evening with Rex. So when he suggested going to have some fun on the ship, I wason boardwith the plan.
“Let’s see what’s going on tonight.”
We headed over to a board near the customer service desk that listed all the events for the night.
“Music trivia in the Moonbeam Lounge?” I arched my brows. “You’d kick my butt in that one, wolf.”
“Not if we’re a team, witch.” He nudged my chin up and grinned, then caressed my cheek. I leaned into his touch and resisted purring.
The seats were all taken, but we grabbed a trivia sheet and found a place to write on it at the bar. The cruise director played snippets of songs and, with no surprise, Rex knew most of them. Of course he did; he was a musician. Once people spilled out of the lounge after the game.
“Where to next?” I asked.
