Page 39 of Stealthy as a Wolf

How much I wanted them.

I glanced up, torn between being pissed and exasperated. “What now?”

His hands tightened in my hair, a silent reprimand, and my body hummed in approval at the possessive claim. The corner of his mouth twitched, lust darkening his expression, as if he knew exactly what he was doing to my body. “I need your words. I need to hear you say what you want.”

I swallowed hard at the demand, searching his face. Despite his confidence, I didn’t miss the shadows in his eyes.

The doubt.

Hesitation.

And a yearning so profound it tugged at something that had lain buried deep inside my soul.

I glanced between them, my heartbeat thundering in my chest, then I slowly released the breath I’d been holding. “If we do this—” I held up my hand when they reached for me. Boone wore a bright smile, while Burke looked solemn. “If I say yes, you both have to promise to do whatever it takes so I don’t hurt you, even if it means knocking me out.”

Burke scowled, his growl vibrating beneath me. Even Boone’s smile wilted. “Maggie—”

“No.” I shook my head, unwilling to compromise their safety. “We either do it my way or not at all. The decision is yours.”

Burke looked so furious that I reached for my discarded shirt, only to end up playing tug-of-war with him before he yanked it out of my hands. The twins exchanged a long glance, and I swore the very air heated. I didn’t care what anyone else said, I was sure they were talking. Their expressions didn’t change, no emotions showed, except for their eyes as they silently argued with each other.

Both pairs of eyes snapped toward me at the same time, and I was suddenly very conscious of being naked. I focused on Burke, knowing he would be the one making the decisions for them. It wasn’t that Boone didn’t have a say or couldn’t speak, leadership was just the role Burke assumed naturally.

He heaved such a heavy sigh that I knew they were going to deny me, and disappointment robbed me of breath. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted them until they took away the option. I was so lost in thought that I jolted when a hand landed on my back.

“We’ll agree to your terms—” Boone started, but Burke quickly interrupted.

“But no way in hell will we ever harm you.” Burke trailed his fingers along my thigh, just a ghost of a touch, but the sensation would have been enough to knock me on my ass if I hadn’t already been horizontal. “Those are our terms.”

I pursed my lips, tore between giddiness and nerves, and then shot them what I hoped was a bright smile. “So how does one go about losing one’s virginity?”

Chapter Twelve

MAGGIE

Note to self—keep comments about virginity to yourself if you want to have sex.

I stood alone under the tepid spray of the motel shower, sighing at my own stupidity. Maybe Timothy was right when he said I just didn’t know when to keep my mouth shut. I grimaced, and my wolf stretched under my skin at just the thought of that dickhead’s name.

The man who thought to make me his mate against my wishes.

My tormentor.

My first boyfriend and ultimate betrayer.

I blew out a heavy breath and shook my head to banish the memory of him. My skin felt tight, my wolf struggling against the need to hunt down the fucker who hurt us and end him.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, rinsing the soap out of my hair. There was a tentative knock on the door, and I stilled, then cracked one eye open and glared at the door.

“Maggie—you can’t hide in there forever.” Boone, ever the peacemaker.

With a huff of exasperation, I closed my eyes once more and tipped back my head again. “Watch me. You might be surprised. I’ve heard of cockblocking, but never pussyblocking.” I paused my tirade, cocking my head to the side as curiosity took hold. “I mean is that even arealthing?”

There was a creak of wood, a snap, and I didn’t have to open my eyes to know he’d broken into the bathroom when a swirl of cold air pebbled my nipples and goose bumps raced across every inch of my skin. “I’ve left some clothes for you next to the sink.” Boone’s voice was gruff.

I didn’t even bother to glance in his direction. As the seconds ticked down, tension thickened the air, and I just let him stew in it, not feeling the slightest urge to make it easy on him.

“He’s not wrong, you know.” Boone leaned his butt against the sink and crossed his arms, studying his feet like they contained the secrets of the universe. He didn’t sound apologetic, just contemplative.

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