Page 58 of The Fangirl and the Grump

Wolf Daddy:I’ll pick you up at seven.

Keegan:Good boy.

Keegan:Ooh, I kind of like that. I might use it tomorrow night.

Wolf Daddy:You’re definitely getting that spanking we talked about.

Keegan:Can’t wait!

ChapterTwenty-Five

Trace

It’s only been five days since I’ve seen her, but it feels like five weeks as I hop out of my truck and jog up the steps to Lycan Lodge. I feel kind of idiotic, beingsoexcited, and I try to school my features as I lift a hand to knock at the door.

I take several deep breaths as I wait, then the door is swinging open and she’s there, right in front of me. My eyes devour her, looking so pretty in a pair of tight jeans and a lacy blue tank top that’s the exact color of her eyes.

“Hey, you,” she says, stepping over the threshold to stand right in front of me.

“Hey,” I say, then lose the fight with my restraint.

Leaning over, I wrap my arms around her, holding tight as I straighten. She laughs as her feet leave the floor, then moans as my mouth seals over hers for a much-needed kiss.

I’ve missed her this week. And while that should scare me, considering the short-term status of this thing we have going, all I feel is relief to finally be in her presence again. Touching her. Kissing her.

And it takes every ounce of will power I have inside me not to walk right into the house and kick the door closed behind us, blocking out the rest of the world while I strip her down and slake my lust.

Instead, I set her back on her feet and take her hand in mine.

“Are you ready?”

I can wait a couple of more hours. We’re going to the tavern for some dinner and drinks, then I’ll have her all to myself. Finally.

“Let me just grab my bag,” she says, squeezing my hand before pulling hers free and stepping back inside.

When she returns, I look down to see she’s chosen some comfortable-looking boots. Meeting her gaze, I jerk my head toward the street.

“Do you want to walk? It’s a gorgeous evening.”

“Sure,” she says, her lips curling up into a smile. “That way, I can get you drunk and learn all your secrets.”

“Good luck,” I say, taking her hand and leading her down the steps. “I’m a steel vault.”

“We’ll see,” she says with a grin.

We chat about our days as we make the short trek into town to Wolfsbane Tavern. When we arrive, I reach out to grab the door handle, then pause to take a deep, cleansing breath. Keegan gives me a curious look, but I just shake my head and pull open the door.

I already know how this will go. She’ll find out soon enough.

As soon as we step inside, I feel at least a dozen eyes on us. Keegan seems oblivious as she returns the wave Bram sends our way from behind the bar. Taking my hand, she pulls me over to him, and I keep my gaze straight ahead, ignoring the looky-loos.

“Hey, guys. What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a vodka-lemonade,” Keegan says, then looks up at me.

“Pale ale,” I say, and Bram nods.

As we wait for our drinks, Keegan gives her back to the bar and looks around, presumably for an empty table. I keep my gaze on Bram, but I can feel her tensing up next to me. And I know why.

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