Page 22 of Under the Moonlight

She stiffened briefly before she burst out laughing, wrapping her arms around his body. “Okay, okay, you can stop now.” She ran her hand over his dense coat and he leaned into her caress.

“You do make that look easy,” Jill said.

Xander dropped back onto all fours and shifted once more. Noting the blush on Greer’s cheeks and the open appraisal Jill was giving him, he turned his back to them. It was more for Greer’s sake than his; he wasn’t lying when he’d said shifters had no modesty.

“Good butt,” Jill whispered.

Xander pulled up his boxers as a loud smack echoed through the room.

“Geez, I was just saying,” Jill grumbled.

He didn’t think Greer meant for him to hear what she said next, she’d probably mouthed it, but he’d heard it loud and clear.

“Mine.”

Xander was surprised by how much he liked the sound of that. He’d never been one to appreciate a possessive female, but the thought of belonging to Greer filled him with a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

And if anyone tried to take her from him, it would be the last thing they ever did.

15

The next morning, Greer stood at the window with a cup of coffee in her hand, watching Xander try to teach Jill how to spar. Xander had mentioned he had some friends driving up today to help ease Jill through her transition, but until they got there, Xander had insisted on showing Jill a few things. Greer would have been jealous of the attention he was giving Jill, if he didn’t continuously catch Greer’s eye and smile, his eyes electric with desire.

Greer had stayed with Jill until her friend passed out once more and then snuck into the spare room to find Xander fast asleep. She crawled in next to him, dead tired, and turned onto her side with her back to him. As she was dozing off, she felt him move and then his arm was wrapped around her waist, his erection poking into her butt.

“You’re right, you know,” he’d said.

“About what?”

He kissed the back of her ear, and whispered, “I was yours from the minute I saw you.”

Greer had jumped, shocked he’d heard her stake her claim to Jill. She didn’t say anything in response and he hadn’t tried for more than spooning her. Soon, his even breathing fanned out across her skin. She’d fallen asleep smiling.

But when she’d woken up, he was gone. She’d come downstairs to find a fresh pot of coffee brewing and the two of them doing stretching exercises in the early morning light.

She’d yawned and gone for the nectar of life instead of the workout.

Finally, the two of them came inside, Jill dancing from foot to foot. “I gotta tell you, I feel completely energized. Is this how it is all the time? Like you’ve had a full pot of coffee, two Redbulls, and a Monster?”

“Sometimes.” Xander came up alongside Greer and bent over to kiss her. She leaned into his mouth, tingles erupting everywhere. When he finally pulled back, he murmured, “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Hey G,” Jill said, kissing her cheek next.

“Well, you seem better.”

“I really am. I just decided that I am going to embrace this as a new leg in my always exciting life.”

Greer grinned at Xander over her coffee mug. “You are exceptionally well adjusted.”

Jill shrugged. “Hey, I’m alive. I could have been meat for that bastard and instead, I’m still here. Might as well make the best of it.”

Greer set her coffee down and gave Jill a hard hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Jill teased.

Greer caught Xander’s eye as he leaned against the counter, cradling his cup. The small smile on his face as he watched them disturbed the nest of butterflies in her stomach. She’d never been so moved by a man with just a look.

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