Page 1 of Taming of a Wolf

Chapter 1

Jamie

You know your lovelife is lacking when the characters in your latest romance novel are getting more action than you.

I mean, damn! It’s just been chapter after chapter of nonstop smut, plot simmering on the back burner while the leads resolve their sexual tension. Meanwhile, I, Jamie Sullivan, can’t even stick around until the end of one of the rare dates I go on. But hopefully, that will all change tonight. My good friend and coworker Jess set me up with a vet tech who is a friend of a friend. She had nothing but good things to say about this guy, and I hope he lives up to his reputation.

I want the kind of love I read about in books, but at this rate, I’m becoming more and more convinced that it’s just not going to happen. For a while, I settled for one-night stands, but I want the real deal. I’m twenty-two. It’s time I stoppedthinkingabout meeting Mr. Right and got around to actually finding the guy. For my little brother’s sake, I need to take my future seriously. Jace deserves stability, a family. I can’t give him any of that on my own.

Setting down my e-reader on my lap, I check the time. This guy, Matt, should be here at any minute, and then we can head to the restaurant. It’s a cute place on a boat moored along the harbor with fairy lights strung up and twinkling.

Matt. I wonder what he’s like. He has to be a nice person if he’s a vet technician. Anybody who cares about animals must have a heart of gold. From the pics Jess has shown me, he’s super handsome. I exhale some of the nerves from my belly. I’m hoping we’ll hit it off. Although being fifteen minutes late isn’t the best first impression…

While I wait, I check my phone. No texts from Kate or Jace. Must be a good sign, right? My little brother is having a sleepover with Kate’s daughter since I said I’d be out late. Hopefully, all is well—unless something has happened. My nerves return full force.

I shoot my little brother a quick text.

Hey. Everything good?

He doesn’t reply right away. Biting my lip, I try and get back into my book, but now my mind keeps tugging me toward my phone. When it buzzes in my pocket, I snatch it up.

Jace: No! The house is on fire and everyone’s dead!! lol yeah everything’s fine jeez

When did my little bro become such a sassafras? I’m impressed.

“Jamie! Hi, I’m so sorry I’m late!” A gorgeous man, tall and dark-haired with neat stubble, rushes up to me.

“Matt, hey!” My heart skips as I jump up to greet him, giving his hand a shake. “Nice to meet you. Jess has told me so much about you.”

“Same, same!” He’s panting, like he ran all the way over here. It’s sweet that he was in such a rush. “Want to go grab a table?” He points at the boat.

My growling stomach says yes, please, so we make our way there. The heaters keep the cold away as the host seats us at our table. “Have you been here before?” I ask as I pick up a menu.

Matt thanks the server when she delivers our water. “No. It’s really cute, though. Love the vibes.”

When the server returns, we give her our order, and I buy a bottle of wine for the table. As we drink, we get to talking. Matt asks me all sorts of questions when I tell him I own my late grandma’s bookstore, and he tells me about some of the cute, furry patients he’s met at the vet’s office.

My stomach flips when our eyes meet, and already, I’m imagining a future between us. He’s sweet and handsome, easy to talk to, and a great listener. From his scent, I can tell he’s genuinely enjoying himself. A few years back, I somehow gained the ability to… sense people’s emotions through their scent. It’s super strange, and no amount of googling has produced any answers. Emotions have a scent to them. Anger is spicy. Shame is sour. Happiness is sweet, while sadness is heavy and dark. Weird, I know, but it can be helpful in figuring out people’s genuine feelings.

I have a good feeling about Matt. Maybe, just maybe, he and I will really connect. I can see it now: we’ll go on a few more dates, I’ll introduce him to Jace and they’ll hit it off, maybe in a few months, I’ll ask him to be my boyfriend, and then—

My phone rings in my pocket just as our food arrives. When Kate’s name flashes on my screen, my heart lurches. “I’m so sorry. I need to take this.”

Matt shrugs. “Sure.” He tucks into his spaghetti and meatballs.

Rising, I pace across the deck. “Kate? Is everything okay?”

When my brother’s distressed sobs reach my ears, I have my answer. “Hi, Jamie, I am so sorry, but Jace had a really bad nightmare, and I can’t calm him down. He really needs you.”

Glancing at Matt, I fight back a sigh. I’m only conflicted for a second before I know who I’ll choose. Jace. Always my little brother. “Can I talk to him?”

“Of course! Jace, sweetie, it’s Jamie. Do you want to say hello?”

For a moment, there’s silence. “J-Jamie?” My brother’s breathless, shaking voice breaks my heart.

“Hey, bud. Kate says you’re having a rough night. What happened?”

But he blurts out, “Can you come home? Please? Right now. Please.” His hysterical sobs make my chest tighten with guilt. If I’d known he’d get so upset, I’d never have come on this date.

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