Page 78 of My UnTrue Love
“Probably ‘cause he knows I’m gonna be speaking to him.”
“He needs a role model, Bill. Someone like you, who can show him how to be a good man.”
“I’m a Bad man.”
“Not in any way that matters.”
Bill shot her a brooding, penetrating, intense sort of look that liquefied her ovaries to goo. Being at the center of his attention felt like being scorched from the inside out.
She adjusted the covers to give her hands something to do besides grab him and pull him on top of her ravenous body. “Luke likes me, I think, even though he doesn’t want to. That’swhy he was so worried that you’d hurt me. Before that, he was giving me advice about living with a coyote.”
“What kind of advice is that?”
“Not to touch other men.” She paraphrased. “And not let them touch me.”
Bill gave a grudging nod. “Somedicaladvice, then. Keepin’ them fellas outta the ICU.”
She rolled her eyes at his teasing. “It’s because of the scents. I know that you said they’re not a big deal, but from now on I’m not going to shake hands with people, if I can help it. No extra smells to bother you. I want you to be happy and safe, Bill. I want the same for Luke.” She paused. “He reminds me a little bit of you, actually.”
Bill began unbuttoning his new blue shirt, which sadly now had Stew’s blood on it. That awful man was so thoughtless. Clem hoped that he rotted in jail. “Well, the kid and me are both coyotes. Seems you got a deep understanding for our kind.”
“I’m trying, but you’re a difficult group. The scent thing makes me worry about how well my deodorant lasts.”
His mouth curved at one corner.
“Anyway, you two being coyotes isn’t what makes you and Luke similar. I’m talking about your same,” she shrugged, “soulfulness.”
Bill looked at her through his lashes. “Soulfulness.”
“Yes. It’s what makes your music so incredible. You have deep hidden passions.”
He took off his shirt. “Well, I can’t argue with that. Iamfeelin’ some passion.”
Holy moly! Clem quickly looked away from the spectacular muscle definition of his chest, her mouth going dry. Wow. She was feeling some passion, too. The rush of it left her flushed and fidgety.
You are not enticing him into sex tonight. You are not enticing him into sex tonight.
“Um…” She tried to think and repeat the mantra in her head at the same time. “What was I saying?”
“How me and Luke are soulful.”
“Right! You are. Luke is still a child, though. A positive male influence would help him immeasurably and you’resucha wonderful example. A thoughtful, successful artist, who can help him channel his emotions in healthy ways.”
Bill climbed onto the bed next to her. “If I’m so successful, why am I unemployed. …Again.”
“You’re successful, because you make beautiful music.” Clementine kept a careful distance from him, as he adjusted his pillows and lay down. Notjustto remind herself not to seduce the poor man; she also didn’t want to crowd him. Bill’s bed was huge, so he must like a lot of room when he slept. “And when you play music you love, things will be even better. It will be something you’ve created.”
Bill made a noncommittal sound, but she knew him well enough to interpret what it meant.
“You’re writing a song!” She beamed. “Bill, that’s so exciting!”
“I’m just thinkin’, not writing. I was looking at that one in your pa’s book.My One True Love. I got some,” he gestured tohis temple, with a vague flick of his hand, “ideas about it, all of a sudden. I can feel your magic helping me put them together.”
“Can you?” That surprised her.
Johnny could never sense her powers working. Typically, a muse’s input was invisible to the artist. As she suspected, this was an exceptionally strong match. Her magic was attempting to flow straight into Bill’s creativity with no barriers.
“It glows.” Bill closed his eyes, visualizing it. “It’s smoothing down rough spots and frustrations. Addin’ a little bit of sparkle. Makin’ everything brighter.” He gave a sensual sound, like the presence of her magic within him was arousing. “It feels like… you.”
