Page 38 of Accidentally Wedded To A Werewolf

Oliver clenched his jaw. He might like her a little better this morning, but he wasn’t about to spill his guts about the fire. Some things were private.

He bent down and scooped the wooden planks into his arms, tiptoeing to slide them back into place above their heads. “A good alpha relies on others,” he recited flatly. “A good alpha isn’t an island. A good alpha lets everyone stick their nose into his business.”

“Well,” she said. “You’re… very protective. So that’s one alpha thing to cross off the checklist.”

He looked down to check if she was making fun of him. But there was no trace of irony in her voice, just an uncharacteristic shyness.

The warmth in his chest rolled, trying to expand into his ribcage. He squashed it back into place. The snow was thawing. She’d be out of his life soon enough.

Eleven

Luna hummed in blissful satisfaction. She was topless and lying on top of her bed, Oliver kneeling over her with his slippery hands kneading gently at her back.

“You’re better at this than I thought,” she said, twisting lazily to look back at him. “What’d you do, watch a YouTube tutorial?”

Oliver ignored her, his hands sliding oil over her shoulders and pressing to loosen the knot of muscle there. He’d already worked on her legs, which were still stiff from the morning runs he’d been dragging her on. She went on the occasional jog in LA, but never a snowy slog through a forest. Sometimes they even started goinguphill, which only stopped because Luna sat down and refused to move, and Oliver could only go so far without stumbling in pain. He’d still stumble for a while before grudgingly stalking back.

Luna let out another happy hum. “Whatever, it feels good. Does it feel good for you?”

She gave him a sly look. Oliver had been sporting an impressive erection since the first few minutes of the massage. He’d been gentlemanly about it, hovering over her so it didn’t press into her ass. Even without the physical evidence of his arousal, the bond inside Luna was thrilled to have him so close. It had been almost a week since their day of marathon sex, and the warmth in Luna’s chest had been roiling ever since. Urging her to get close again. Even now, with his hands smoothing up and down her bare back, it wanted him closer. He had to be feeling the same thing.

“’S fine,” Oliver said. He shifted above her, still not allowing himself to grind down against her towel-covered ass.

Luna rolled her eyes. She was about to ask him to take the towel off her when her phone vibrated next to her head.

Luna grabbed it, grinning as she saw the text from Beth. It was another message thanking her for posting about her store, which Luna had continued to receive every day since she posted it. She’d sold out on the very first day. Now she was just playing catchup, queuing orders and buying more packaging so she could ship them across the country.

“Aha,” she said, holding it up to show Oliver. “What’d I tell you?”

Oliver glanced down at the text. “I’m still surprised that your followers care so much about monster chocolate.Most of your photos are about iced coffee and your new clothes.”

“Coffee and chocolate go great together,” Luna said distractedly, typing out a string of kiss emojis to Beth. Then she paused. “You looked at my socials?”

“No,” Oliver said immediately.

Luna giggled at his harshness. Like he’d rather get his fingernails pulled out than admit he looked at his temporary wife’s social media.

She put her phone down. “We need to go to the store tomorrow. I’m doing a consult for Beth. I think I can talk her into doing some cute lil’ coasters and mugs. And I’m in talks with a few other brands for some promo swaps.”

“Can she afford all that?”

“I’m doing it for free,” Luna admitted. Then, when Oliver’s hands stilled on her back, she added, “I’m BORED, Oliver! There are only so many times I can go to the movies with you and Leo. Or go shopping in town. Or get dragged on runs. Or play Connect Four with Sabine. Everyone’s busy with their own lives, and I’mstuckhere while you do laundry.”

“You could help with the laundry,” Oliver suggested dryly, his hands resuming their firm, gentle press.

Luna laughed again. “I was thinking of something actuallyfun.”

She turned over. The sheet fell and pooled against her stomach.

Oliver actually had the gall to look away. Just for a moment, his mouth tugging down into a frown as he examined the headboard. It didn’t have thegusto of his usual frowns. Like he was putting it on for his own benefit. Then he looked back at her, gaze drifting down to her exposed breasts, and the frown went slack. His eyes flashed with hunger, something she’d seen several times this week. She’d reach up to adjust her necklace, and it would flicker over his face as his gaze dropped to her collarbones. Then it would be gone, the conversation continuing like nothing had happened. Like he was still trying to shove back against that bond pulling them together, even though they’d already been shown how good it felt to give in.

“What?” she said as he tried to scowl. “You saw that weather report this morning. The snow will thaw soon. We should make the most of the time we have left.”

He didn’t move.Maybe he just enjoyed torturing himself,Luna considered as she toyed with the sheet pooling around her bare stomach. He seemed the type.

Luna’s phone rang. She sighed.

“Hold that thought,” she said, gesturing at his erection. “Hello, this is Luna.”

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