Page 78 of Ice Wolf
My mother.
It would seem I had the advantage and I didn’t mind one bit making good use of my standing.
“Ah, honey. I thought you wanted to indulge in our primal fantasies tonight. You know, be a little rough around the edges.” On purpose, I subjected her to a wolf howl. To which my mother threw me a harsh look. Not because I was letting the cat out of the bag, but because I’d interrupted her foray into the consequences of selecting the wrong wedding cake flavor.
“Be very careful playing games with me, Wolfman,” Lily countered. “My bite might be worse than my bark.” She raked her long, hate-filled gaze down my body. Damn if my arousal wasn’t reaching entirely new levels.
As I’d done several times during the night, I planted my palm over my heart, pretending to stumble forward. I found it interesting that in a few grueling days, she’d altered my perspective on several aspects of my life. She’d also forced me to challenge my traditional methods of hungering for a woman.
Up until this point, I’d remained emotionally shut down. Partially on purpose given the profession. Partially because I’d heard about the need to settle down for far too long. I also knew I was a selfish prick, preferring the chase to the conclusion. Since being around Lily, I’d found myself questioning all aspects of my personality. The why didn’t seem to enter into the equation.
Maybe that’s why I was having way too much fun. The girl was lightning in a bottle and all I could think about was drinking from her fountain of deliciousness. Did that make me a very bad boy? Hopefully so.
Her response to my mockery of sin? To slyly give me the finger.
I had to admit fucking with the lovely librarian was the most fun I’d had in a long time.
CHAPTER 19
Lily
Saint Masters, AKA Wolfman was a wonderment of brawn, mental games, and a hefty dose of irritating charm. All wrapped in a package only matched by Greek gods. My mind drifted to images of Adonis and even that wasn’t creating the perfect picture.
Maybe that was why I loathed the man so much.
He exuded male dominance with casual flair, creating an aura of charisma that his puck bunnies found irresistible. Not this girl. I found his methods of seduction abhorrent.
Every harsh glare I’d given him during the hour I’d endured pretending I was the magical daughter-in-law who’d been swept off her feet by a caged animal had done nothing but create an ache in my jaws.
Charlotte Masters was one formidable woman. She was also someone I wouldn’t want to cross in the dark. As sweet asshe’d been, I’d detected a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She’d stop at nothing to make certain her baby boy was as happy as a clam.
“I thought you might need something to sleep in since you were displaced from your apartment.” Saint’s mom handed me what appeared to be a well-worn jersey. Unable to help myself, I unfolded it, holding the shoulders of the dense material above my shoulders. “Plus, you stink like stale beer. No offense, honey.”
“None taken,” I told her, eyeing the faded letters and number printed on the back.
Don’t get me wrong. When I wasn’t working, I enjoying rocking a snuggly oversized jersey or sweatshirt while binge-watching several seasons ofGilmore Girls. There was nothing more refreshing than wallowing through a day rich in pints of Ben and Jerry’s topped with Reese’s Pieces, but the jersey long enough to be a dress belonged to Saint. How did I know that?
Because it reeked of his heady amount of testosterone.
I tried to keep from making it obvious while glancing in his direction. He was leaning against the doorjamb as if fearful of being in the same room as me. Good. Little did he know at night I turned into a predatory animal.
Thoughts of the man howling brought unwanted images into my mind of the savage iceman streaking naked through the forest in search of small critters to fulfill his carnivorous appetite. Great. Now I was envisioning him acting out on his delusional wolf issues.
“St. Simon’s High?” I asked out of spite.
He took a step forward, snatching the jersey from my hand. “High school. I was the star hockey player.”
Was it possible I could roll my eyes any more than I did around him?
“Now, I know the room needs renovation. My designer is scheduled to drop by next week. You remember Ashley, don’t you, son?” Charlotte asked as she ceremoniously pulled down the comforter on the queen-sized bed. “She remembers you fondly, I might add. Anyway, I hired her for the job. I cannot wait to see her creative style in turning this into a dream guest bedroom.”
She tossed the two decorative pillows aside, still staring down at the bed.
I’d never felt so uncomfortable in my life. Charlotte was very sweet and while Saint’s parents were more than accommodating, I couldn’t envision sleeping in the same house as the man under any circumstances.
Which was why I continued to kick myself for suggesting we move in together. What good would come of pretending we were anything more than casual acquaintances?
“Mom. I don’t think Lily will have a problem sleeping in here tonight. I’ll head to my old room.”
