Page 77 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
“What is it?” I ask, feigning ignorance.
“The eagle has been following us.” Everett’s chest rumbles with a growl.
“I’m sure he’s curious, but he won’t hurt us.” I shrug and lean my head back to wet my hair, purposefully distracting him from Adler. My nipples harden when the air kisses my skin.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re teasing me,” he says, voice growing husky.
“Perhaps,” I confess, righting myself and ducking under the water to avoid his hooded gaze. Air bubbles out of my mouth, and he catches me around the waist when I breach the surface, pulling me flush against his chest. I wrap my legs around him on instinct, and his eyes widen when we dip beneath the water. He lets go of me but not before I feel every hardened plane of his abdomen. I break through the water, wheezing out a laugh when he comes up wearing a pout.
“In my mind it played out a lot differently.” He runs his hand over his short hair and looks away. His cheeks pinken with embarrassment, and I can’t help but grin.
“Maybe next time save the groping for the bedroom.”
“Next time?” he asks with a hopeful smile.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I was only offering you advice, not saying this will happen again.”
His eyes flare in answer to my challenge. “We’ll see about that.”
My gaze finds his wrist when he starts to backstroke, reminding me I’ve been meaning to ask about their best-friends-forever bracelets.
“I thought leather and water didn’t mix,” I say casually when he swims back over. “Don’t you ever take that off?” Treading water, I circle around him.
He runs his fingers over the band, stopping at the jade stone. “No,” he says with such finality that I don’t press for more details or tease him about the matching jewelry. Maybe the guys got them in memory of someone, or maybe he doesn’t want me prying into his life. Either way, I respect his privacy and slip under the water, swimming away from him before resurfacing.
We swim around for a bit longer, toeing the line of getting close but never leaping over it like I know he wants to. Maybe he’s still embarrassed. Either way, when we decide to head back to the academy, Adler is gone. We reach the edge of the forest near the school and shift. Seeing as he’s already seen me naked a few times, I decide not to give a crap and get dressed in front of him.
“That was fun. Thanks for taking me.” I slide on my thong, ignoring the way his eyes rake over my body. I finish putting on my shirt, and he expels a heavy breath.
“I think I liked it better when you changed behind the tree.” He’s still not dressed and my eyes drop almost of their own accord to takeallof him in.
I swallow. “Too late to go back now,” I say, moving my attention up to where it should be.
“Regret is not a strong enough word for what I feel right now.” Everett yanks on his boxers and pants with jerky motions. He grins when he zips the pants up over his erection and bends over to scoop up his shirt.
“I seem to remember someone saying being naked was no big deal,” I tease, putting my hand on my hip.
Everett shakes his head and narrows his eyes at me as he slides his shirt on. “Okay, smartass, you made your point.”
Tilting my head to the side, I sigh. “Have I though?”
He growls and starts heading toward the academy. “Don’t play with fire if you’re not ready to burn, Raven.”
Starting off after him, I snort at his cheesy comment. “Wow, does that line work for you?”
Spinning on his heel, he closes the distance between us in a matter of seconds, and I crane my neck to meet his gaze.
“You’re teasing me,” he says, eyes searching my face.
“Obviously.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Do you like it?”
He curses under his breath. “You’re playing a dangerous game. My wolf already wants you, and I’m in total agreement with that decision.” Twirling a lock of my wet hair around his finger, he gives it a slight tug. “Are you?”
Pressing my lips into a line, I avert my gaze. My body is definitely ready, especially after the incident with Draco. My mind is still processing what it means to accept him. Joan’s dead set on the whole harem bit, but I’m not. Especially since I plan to find a way to leave as soon as the alpha gives me permission.
There’s no sense in forming attachments if I’m going to leave. No matter how much I might want to sleep with him, finding a way to get back to Aunt Lou comes first.
Everett tugs my hair again. “I didn’t think so.”
