Page 50 of Howl You Doin'

"A lady never reveals her secrets." Fiona dipped her brush in the cream-colored paint. "Now are you going to help, or just stand there looking pretty?"

Heat creptup her neck as the words left her mouth. The pack members within earshot tried to hide their grins, failing miserably.

"Looking pretty, huh?" Caleb picked up his own brush, a smile playing at his lips. "I'll have you know I'm an excellent painter."

"Prove it." She flicked paint at him, leaving a splash of cream on his black t-shirt.

His eyes narrowed playfully. "You're playing with fire, witch."

"That's kind of my thing."

They worked side by side for a while, trading barbs and stealing glances when they thought the other wasn't looking. The pack's acceptance warmed her heart more than any fire she could conjure. Even through the aches and paint stains, she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so at home.

Fiona wiped sweat from her brow, her muscles protesting as she reached up to paint another section of wall. The lateafternoon sun streamed through the replacement windows, casting long shadows across the community center's restored floor. Her shoulder twinged, reminding her of the healing wound beneath her t-shirt.

"That ladder looks unstable," Caleb said from behind her.

"The ladder's fine." She didn't turn around, knowing she'd find that concerned furrow between his brows that made her want to smooth it away with her fingers. "You've checked it three times already."

"Four, actually." His warm presence drew closer. "And you're favoring your left side."

"I thought wolves were supposed to hunt, not mother their employees."

"I mother whoever I want."His hands settled on her waist, steadying her as the ladder wobbled slightly. The heat of his touch burned through her thin shirt, making her breath catch. "Especially stubborn ones who don't know their limits."

Fiona's heart hammered against her ribs. "I know my limits just fine."

"Really?" His breath tickled her ear. "Then why are you shaking?"

"Because someone keeps distracting me while I'm trying to work." She turned her head, finding his face inches from hers. Those blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Maybe you should take a break."

"Maybe you should help more instead of hovering."

He grinned, reaching past her to grab a paint roller, his chest pressing against her back. "I can do both."

They continued to work side by side for the next several hours, their arms brushing with each stroke. Every accidental touch sent sparks through her skin. She caught him watchingher more than the wall, his gaze lingering on her lips when she spoke.

"You missed a spot," she teased, pointing to a section well above his head.

"Did I?" He stretched up, his shirt riding up to reveal a strip of tanned skin and defined muscle. Fiona's mouth went dry.

"That was mean," she muttered.

"What was?"

"You know exactly what you're doing."

His laugh rumbled through her. "Payback for all those times you bent over to pick up paint cans."

Heat flooded her cheeks."I had to get the paint somehow."

"Mhmm. And I had to stretch to reach that spot."

Their eyes locked, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension. A drop of paint fell from his paint roller, landing on her collarbone. Without thinking, he reached out to wipe it away, his thumb lingering on her skin.

Wade's voice broke through their bubble.

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