Page 66 of Her Big Bad Wolf
She was fast asleep on my couch when I found her.
I grabbed a blanket from my room and wrapped it around her, wishing I could just scoop her up in my arms and carry her to my bed. It was just because I knew she’d be more comfortable, I told myself. But in my heart, I knew it was so much more.
“Mr. Isaac,” Mason yelled through the house.
I turned and scowled at him.
“Shh! Vanessa’s sleeping. And you can drop the formality. Just call me Isaac.”
“Really?”
“Really. Now what did you need?”
“Cam’s hungry. Are we gonna get dinner?”
“That depends. Are you willing to help cook it?”
His eyes widened. “You want me to help?”
“I do.”
“Okay,” he said excitedly.
For a moment, I was wondering if maybe this was a mistake. Turned out okay though. He followed instructions great and did what I said. At this rate, none of them were going to need baking lessons. I wasn’t sure if I was happy or sad about that. They all seemed much less angry than I ever did over the shit luck life threw at me.
I didn’t mind the kids helping with dinner. They proved useful and eager to assist. But I learned quickly that Mason could be very sensitive and didn’t respond well to criticism or being barked at. He cried twice.
When Mason cried, Noah’s aggressive side surfaced. I wasn’t surprised to see it. That was what I’d been expecting all along.
Cam, being the baby of the group, seemed oblivious to it all. He was easy going and little seemed to bother him.
As soon as Noah began snapping back at me for fussing at Mason who wasn’t listening while using a knife, I put him to work on making bread.
My grandmother knew a thing or two. Kneading dough was not easy. It was like a full body workout when done right. Getting in there and taking all your frustrations out on that dough was therapeutic. I knew that better than anyone.
I smirked watching Noah aggressively knead the dough. And I knew that he would be proud of the outcome when we served it with dinner. This particular recipe was a quick rise that took a fraction of the time of normal bread making. Technically he didn’t even need to work it that much, but it wasn’t going to hurt it and it was good for him.
It was later than expected by the time the meal was ready though.
“We’ll get better with our timing. Thanks for the help tonight, boys.”
I high fived each of them as they set the finishing touches to the table and I went to wake my mate.
But when I turned to leave the kitchen, she was already standing in the doorway watching us. She had a funny look on her face.
Our eyes met and it felt as if our wolves truly connected in that moment too. Almost otherworldly in nature.
I was drawn to her in ways I didn’t even want to admit to myself. My desire for her was ridiculous. All I ever thought about was her. If it weren’t for the boys being present, there was no telling what I would have done, probably gone all caveman and thrown her over my shoulder to take her to bed, or maybe just as far as the kitchen table.
Images started playing out in my mind. I was a celibate man who had lived just fine without female temptations, not that I’d given myself many opportunities for that. But now, she was like an impossible temptation.
My body was strung tight with desire.
“Dinner’s ready,” I barked at her more aggressively than I meant to.
Hurt flashed in her eyes, but she smiled.
“It smells wonderful.”
