Page 41 of Howl You Doin'

"Only a little?" He leaned forward, close enough that she could smell pine and rain and something uniquely him.

"Thank you for not getting yourself killed," she whispered, suddenly very aware of how alone they were in her candlelit living room. "Though next time, maybe mention the bleeding before charging off to confront rival alphas?"

"Next time?" His voice had dropped lower, sending shivers down her spine.

"Figure of speech," she managed, though they both knew it wasn't.

Fiona's breath caught as Caleb's fingers traced along her jawline, his touch feather-light against her skin. The candlelight cast shadows across his bare chest, and she fought the urge to trace the defined muscles with her fingertips. Her living room suddenly felt too small, too warm, despite the cool night air drifting through the window.

"You've got a way of surprising me," he murmured, his thumb brushing across her cheek.

She leaned into his touch, her heart thundering so loudly she was sure his wolf hearing could pick it up. "Good surprises, I hope?"

"Very good." His eyes, dark and intense, dropped to her lips.

Fiona's fingers curled into her palms, fighting the urge to grab him by the neck and close the distance between them. The air crackled with tension, and she swore the candle flames flickered higher in response to her magic going haywire.

"Your candles are getting excited," Caleb said, a smile playing at his lips.

"They're not the only ones," she whispered before she could stop herself.

He chuckled, the sound low and rich, sending shivers through her. His hand slid to cup the back of her neck, drawing her closer. Fiona's eyes fluttered shut, her lips parting slightly as?—

A phone rang, shattering the moment. Caleb growled, pulling back to fish his cell from his pocket.

"Wade," he answered, his voice rough. "This better be important."

Fiona slumped back against the couch cushions, trying to get her racing heart under control. The candles dimmed, matching her disappointment.

"I'll be right there,"Caleb said, ending the call. He looked at her apologetically. "Wade needs?—"

"Go," she said, waving him off. "Your pack needs you. I get it."

He stood, wincing slightly as he pulled his shirt back on.

Fiona watched as Caleb buttoned his shirt, his fingers fumbling slightly with each button. The candlelight caught the slight tremor in his hands, and she fought the urge to help him – or maybe just unbutton them all over again.

"There's a pack meeting tomorrow," he said, tucking in his shirt. "Town square at noon. I'd like you to be there."

"A meeting about Victor?" She pulled her legs up under her on the couch, trying to look casual despite the lingering electricity in the air between them.

"Among other things." He ran a hand through his dark hair, messing it up in a way that made her fingers itch to fix it. "The pack needs to know we have a plan."

"Do we have a plan?"

"I was hoping you'd help me come up with one before the meeting." A sheepish grin crossed his face. "Your ideas tend to be better than mine."

"My ideas got us into this mess with Victor. So probably not a good idea for me to help this time around."

"No, Victor got us into this mess with Victor." He moved closer, and Fiona's breath caught. "You just happened to point out what everyone was thinking."

"That he's an unrefined bully?"

"That and other things I probably shouldn't repeat in polite company."

His phone buzzed again.Wade was nothing if not persistent. Caleb sighed, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. His lips lingered there for a moment, sending sparks of warmth through her entire body.

"Noon tomorrow then?" he murmured against her skin.

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