“I wouldn’t do that unless you want to see my beast with a massive hard-on as well.”

I’m taken aback by his statement, not even considering he would also be aroused in his beast form. I bet his cock is huge as a beast. The thought has me considering rocking my hips against him again just so I can see it. Hunter must realize my intention because he puts both hands on my hips, stopping me from doing just that.

“Nah ah, you naughty little bird. Not today. Maybe later I’ll show you, but as a human it’s unlikely you’ll ever experience it.”

Now I’m really curious.

“You sure about that? Have you seen how big baby heads and bodies are? Human females can handle a lot.”

Those baby blues sharpen and narrow on me, going dark as he absorbs my meaning.

“You are going to be the death of me, sweet Nightingale.”

I smile and bite my lip, enjoying this far more playful and open Hunter. However, in wolf form, this was his personality, just without words.

“I think you’ll live, as will I.”

Reaching out, I place my hands flat on his chest and press him back. He doesn’t resist, and I stop once we’ve reached the open area between the kitchen and the living room—a space large enough for his true form to fit without breaking something.

I hope.

“Show me your beast, Hunter,” I whisper close to his chest and feel the vibration from the growling purr there.

Extricating myself, I step back, giving him plenty of room to shift.

The tempting man—shifter—before me smirks and reaches down to peel his t-shirt off over his head. Taking his sweet ass time and drawing out the motion. Flexing every muscle needed and unnecessary to complete the action. Tossing the shirt away on the floor before reaching for the waistband of his pants.

“You giving me a strip show?” I raise an eyebrow at him and his fingers that linger just under the waistband of his sweats.

“No. I would just rather not tear through my pants when I shift as I’ll need them after.”

I should have known. He was naked when he shifted before, so he obviously would need to be naked again.

Steeling my backbone, I lift my eyes, keeping them firmly glued to his face as he drops his pants to the floor and kicks them away.

It takes a lot of self-control not to look down to check out the appendage that felt thick and large against my stomach. It isn’t until the fur starts to sprout across his body and I hear cracking and popping as his body changes and shifts that I allow my gaze to roam his changing form. Taking less than a minute, Hunter once again becomes the hulking beast I first saw in the forest.

This time, my heart beats heavily in my chest with a different emotion. Awe at the majesty and beauty of the beast before me. He’s beautiful in a deadly way. His posture is hunched over to accommodate his massive size. I imagine he’s nine or ten feet tall if he were to stand up straight on his hind legs.

Crouching forward, he carefully places his clawed hands on the wood floor, his new position bringing us face to face. His eyes are still that unfathomable azure filled with wary caution, waiting for my reaction.

My hand extends out and I connect with his furred neck that’s so thick around my hands would barely touch were I to wrap my arms around it. The fine hairs are just as silky soft as Sinatra’s had been and just as inky black. Flexing my hand, I let the strands filter between my fingers, and Hunter's eyes close briefly at the contact.

His head and snout are as big as my torso, but he keeps his mouth shut, probably trying not to scare me with his pointed teeth I got a flash of before.

Hunter relaxes into my touch and bends even lower, pressing the top of his head against my chest. I lean down and rub my cheek against the finer fur between his tall, pointed ears. Wrapping my arms around as much of him as I can.

A soft, contented whine echoes through the room. Hunter’s beast form practically going lax in my arms.

I rub my face against him again since he seems to like it, and he makes the sweet sound again.

“You’re beautiful,” I whisper into this fur, but being so close to his massive keen ears, he must hear me.

We remain in that position for a few moments before I pull away and take a longer look at the rest of him, circling his huge body. I do manage a quick peek between his legs, looking for this mystifyingly massive cock he spoke of, but I see nothing but a bulge under his fur.

I continue my perusal, inspecting his hindquarters and double-jointed legs, which I imagine can run very fast. Then I notice his surprisingly bushy tail, which wags when I brush my hand down it.

Just a giant cuddly dog.