Page 31 of Claiming the Wolf Daddy

“Wish I could say the same,” he teased. “You did a number on my back, little thing.”

I winced. “I’m so sorry. Does it hurt?”

“A little,” he said with a wink. “But don’t worry about it. I love being scratched like that.”

“Really?” I asked in surprise.

“Fuck, yeah,” he said. “Marley, do you know how often I want to put a mark somewhere on you and show people that you belong to me? I don’t, because I know how to behave like a proper man, but it’s gratifying as hell to have you do the same thing to me. It...” He trailed off, looking a little ashamed.

“What?”

“I shouldn’t say it.”

“No, tell me. It won’t bother me, I promise.”

“I didn’t think it would. It’s just that it’s a train of thought I’m not particularly proud of, you know?”

“We all have those, don’t we?” I asked. “I mean, I wanted to rip that other shifter’s hair out when you told me she was coming onto you.”

“Really?” he said, sounding intrigued. “My, Marley, you don’t seem like the jealous type. I’m honestly surprised to hear that from you.”

“Why wouldn’t I be jealous when you’re so far out of my league?”

He snorted a laugh, and I raised an eyebrow. His amusement faded, and his mouth dropped open. “Wait, you meant that? Seriously? Marley, I am not out of your league. If anything, you’re entirely too good for me.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, shaking my head.

“I’m a single father, a shifter, and a bit of a brute. Most human dudes would think you were an idiot for being with me, and probably a good share of women, too.”

“And I come with a truckload of ex-boyfriend baggage. Besides, I look super average,” I said. “Clearly, the one who lucked out here was me.”

“Well, let me assure you, then,” he said. “You have exactly nothing to worry about when it comes to other women. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my mate until you tell me otherwise.”

He pressed a few kisses to my shoulder, neck, and face while I giggled and half-heartedly batted him off. “Okay, okay, you win.”

“That’s right.” He brushed his lips softly over mine. “And on that note, let’s go wash up, yeah?”

“Let me treat those scrapes, too,” I offered.

“Nurse Marley here to take care of little old me? I’m so lucky.”

“Not that lucky,” I said. “My legs feel like jelly, so you’re going to have to carry me to the bathroom.”

He laughed and shook his head. “I suppose that could be arranged.”

Cole got up and scooped me into his arms with ease, carrying me into the bathroom. The tub hadn’t overflowed, but it was close. The water steamed enticingly, and I sighed.

“Want me to put you right in?” he asked.

“God, yes,” I said.

“Won’t be too hot?”

“No. It’s pretty hard to deter me, you know?”

He carefully set me in the tub. The water was insanely comfortable, just below the temperature I would have had to dance around until my body acclimated.

And I could have danced around. The bathtub was deeper than it looked. Luckily, there was an area for me to sit so I didn’t have to float or stand. While I went to the tiled seating, Cole got undressed, and I enjoyed the show at this interesting vantage point. I admired the little hollow that formed at his flank, the pleasant swell of his half-erect penis, the masculine curves of his thighs and calves.

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