Page 64 of How to Trust a Hellhound
Chapter 22
Wilder
The next week passed quickly. Josh seemed more sad and surprised than traumatized by seeing his ex. We cuddled that evening, and although I was determined not to rush him, he initiated sex. Josh was so beautiful when he gave himself over to pleasure and let me take control, and I accepted it for the gift that it was. He was so intent on pleasing me, and his reactions and joy at doing so only increased my own pleasure.
It was amazing, and I enjoyed exploring his reactions and what he liked over the course of the week. I couldn’t help knotting him whenever we had penetrative sex, but we also explored each other with hands and mouths and tongues.
It wasn’t all sex and cuddles, though, most unfortunately. Liam and Quinton dropped off some financial files for Josh to go through, and we finally cleared a road back to the cabin so cars could drive to it. I continued training Thea, as well, and each of the guys took some time with her, showing her their areas of expertise. She was feisty and took no shit from them, and the boys seemed amused whenever she told them off.
Had I stayed at Josh’s every night? Well, he hadn’t asked me to leave. I knew he was perfectly capable of telling someone to get out of his space, as he’d done so to the boys numerous times. He’d also ushered me out more than once when he was on work calls or needed to focus on data, so I knew he was comfortable with me.
So, yes, I had pretty much moved in. I could tell him it was for his protection, but if he asked, I’d probably blurt out that he was my mate. At some point I needed to have that conversation with him, but I knew he thought things were happening quickly, and I didn’t want to panic him.
As for the Order of Asterphagia—things were deceptively quiet. There had been no sign of Rick after he grabbed Josh in the alley, and he didn’t show up at work all week. The boys had checked Josh’s old place, and he hadn’t been there. Jude had taken a ride out to Rick’s friend’s house one night, and he’d said the friend was there, but Rick wasn’t.
So Rick was missing, the descendent of Cain was missing, and we had no idea where the cult was, either.
None of it was very comforting to me, and I found myself more and more on edge as time passed with nothing happening. By Friday, I knew that Josh sensed my restlessness. I should have gone out to hunt, but a part of me rebelled at the thought of leaving Josh alone. I knew he felt my anxious energy by the wary looks he gave me as the day wore on, though, and by dinnertime, I was pacing around and feeling indecisive and itchy.
Josh had retreated to the corner of the couch to finish up his work, and I felt like he was huddled up there. The last thing I wanted was for Josh to be afraid of me. I kept my distance, staying across the room, and Josh closed his computer, staring at me.
“Wilder…” he said, and I turned toward him, but he didn’t say anything else.
“Do you want me to go?” I asked, the thought suddenly occurring to me. I was making Josh uncomfortable, and that wasn’t what Iwanted. Perhaps he needed space from me when I was feeling this itchy.
He stared at me, finally asking, “Do you want to be somewhere else?”
His eyes were piercing, and I probably should have said yes. There were no lies between us, though, so I simply shook my head no.
He stood up slowly and walked toward me, almost like I was a wild dog about to bite. I kept very still, not wanting to spook him. I knew I was already setting him on edge.
“You’re… agitated. Talk to me, Wilder. What is it?” he asked, placing a hand gently on my arm.
I shrugged, but he just continued staring, waiting.
I blew out a breath. “I just feel… itchy. Unsettled. Nothing is happening, and it’s making me anxious. I can go train with the boys, though, and get out of your hair.”
His hand gripped my arm tighter. “But you don’t want to train with the boys, or you would have done it already.”
I shrugged at him. He wasn’t wrong. “I don’t… I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or nervous,” I finally admitted.
His hand released me. Maybe it was best I go until I could settle myself down. I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.
“Don’t you dare walk out that door, Wilder.”
I turned back at him, surprised. He looked determined.
“Josh—” I started, but he came over, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the bedroom.
I was still trying to figure out what was going on as he started stripping off my shirt. “Josh—” I said again, but he shushed me.
“You’re going to lay down, and I’m going to massage the tension out of you. If you still need to go wrestle with the guys after, that’s fine, but let me do this first.” He looked up at me, and his eyes were soft and pleading. “Please, Wilder.”
How could I say no to him?
I let him strip me and lead me to the bed, where he motioned for me to lay face down. I heard the rustling of clothing behind me and Josh leaving the room and then coming back a moment later. He must have grabbed massage oil, because I smelled a faint, soothing aroma and then felt a smooth warmth across my skin wherever he touched.
His hands were firm as he rubbed across my shoulders, down my back, and then down my legs. He brushed his hands on my skin in a rhythmic motion, and I felt myself sinking into the mattress a bit. When he started kneading my back, I couldn’t help the groan that escaped. His hands were finding every knot and sore point and working away at them, and he took his time rubbing everywhere, from my shoulders down to the small of my back.
