Page 18 of Riot of Autumn

My disgust is weaker than my curiosity, so I lean forward, hoping to hear more, but they’re already walking away. Knowing Ezra can still hear them, I keep my mouth shut and wait while he keeps listening. At least a minute goes by before he stops concentrating on a conversation I can’t hear and looks down at me.

Does he realize he’s got me trapped against the side of the building? Or is he totally unaffected by all our body parts touching? Ezra doesn’t step back or move away. No, he presses his body into mine, planting his other hand over my head.

I suck in a breath, because apparently, I’ve forgotten I need to breathe. It has nothing to do with the hard body pressing into me, taking up space, and surrounding me in Ezra’s dark, woodsy scent. My heart is pounding because of the conversation we just heard and not knowing what those Fae fucks are up to. And the only reason my panties are wet is because…shit.

This is bad. Very bad.

I’ve been keeping Ezra firmly in the friend-only box for years. That’s where he belongs. That’s where he needs to stay. For my sanity, and any semblance of friendship we want to keep.

“You’re looking a little flushed.”

“Did you get super eyesight from your animal magic, too?” I deflect. Like a pro.

Ezra’s body pushes against mine. His hips roll as quick as a heartbeat and my breath catches in my throat. Did he mean to do that? Why does he look like he’s doing his taxes? This isn’t phasing him at all? Except it is. Obviously. I feel his hard dick pressing into my stomach. How does he look so calm? Fucker.

“I did. I’m basically a superior being now.”

I snort. “Your head’s definitely the biggest one I’ve ever seen.”

Ezra grins. It’s almost impossible to see it in the dark alley, but there’s just enough light shining in from Aspen Street to give me a glimpse of his face.

“That’s not the only thing that’s the biggest you’ve ever seen.”

There’s a quip on the tip of my tongue, but it gets stuck there. Because I know he’s telling the truth. Suddenly, I don’t want to play any more games. I don’t want to tease and banter and talk shit with Ezra. Every inch of my body heats and lust pools low in my belly.

This is dangerous territory. Normally, I avoid getting this close to Ezra for a reason. He made it clear years ago that I was the last thing he wanted. I’ve stayed in my lane ever since, but now Ezra is driving all over the fucking place. And I’m about to get slammed into at a hundred miles an hour if I don’t make a run for it.

Shit. Why am I thinking of getting slammed? I’m so wet at the thought of Ezra on top of me, fucking my brains out, that I nearly whimper. Ezra stiffens, inhaling deeply.

“Ruby.” His voice is strained, a hint of the wolf growling as he says my name. That just makes it worse.

It takes me a second to realize Ezra’s entire body is trembling. Is he…laughing? His head drops to my shoulder. I’m about to knee him in the balls until I feel his tongue lick up the side of my neck.

Oh, fuck. Now I’m the one shaking. And Ezra’s not laughing. His entire body is tightly coiled. He’s barely holding himself in check. He’s panting against my neck, his breath hot against the skin that’s damp from his tongue. Is he going to shift? It doesn’t seem like he wants to. What the hell can I do to help him?

I rest my hand on the top of his head. “Ezra. Let’s wait until later to wolf out. M-kay?”

For now, I’m going to pretend he didn’t just lick my neck, and that I’m not imagining his tongue delving into other parts of my body.

He doesn’t move, still huffing against my shoulder like he’s getting high off the smell of me.

“You know I just got off a ten-hour shift. I stink like greasy food and have the B.O. of a truck driver who hasn’t showered in three days.”

“Ruby.” Ezra half chuckles, half groans into my skin, and I try not to shiver. Goosebumps break out all over my body, and Ezra groans again.

“I have a sweaty butt crack.”

That gets him to lift his head, and relief has me sagging. He’s not about to shred through his clothes and turn into a massive wolf in the middle of downtown Wild Haven.

“Jesus, Cube. Really?”

There we go. The old nickname is back, and I can firmly reconstruct that wall. I shove his head back without any force, and he takes a step back. Thank God I’m leaning on the wall, because I’m not sure I’d be able to stay upright without it. I don’t know what just happened, but my panties are soaked, and I’m going to need to take a very cold shower when I get home.

“Come on. Axil’s going to be pissed if I don’t get home soon. And I need to go wash my swampy ass.”

“Alright, swamp thing, let’s get you home.”

The tremors are gone from Ezra’s hands. He’s back to normal. We’re back to normal. As much as I keep telling myself that keeping Ezra firmly in the friend zone is the best thing, I think I might be lying to myself.

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