Page 40 of Can’t Help Growling in Love (Harmony Glen #9)

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

JUNE

Asher has me lie completely still. We wait for his knot to deflate enough for us to pull apart.

“It’ll be faster after the full moon,” he mutters as he strokes my back slowly.

I don’t think he’s aware he’s touching me, but I love it. Everything he does shows me how much he wants me.

I’d return the favor, but I promised to be good, so we’ll be able to clean up and rest before evening comes.

“Oh my God,” I groan as he finally deflates enough to slip from my body. I sit up, hovering beside him to avoid touching my ass to the sheets. “I’m a mess.”

But Asher is watching his cum trail down my thighs, his eyes glowing golden. He doesn’t say a word, only stares at me, intent and silent.

“Would it be better if I didn’t wash?” I ask him softly, sifting my fingers through his fur. “I need to wipe myself or I’ll leave trails all over your house, but I don’t have to shower if you want me smelling like you.”

He lifts his gaze to my face. “You’d do that?”

“Yeah.” I grin down at him. “So, no showering. But I do have to use the bathroom, and you can’t come with.”

His lips twitch up in a smile. “I’m fine for now. Can’t say what’ll happen later, but I’m not so far gone that I wouldn’t let you pee in peace.”

Snorting, I scramble from the bed and make for the bathroom. At the door, I glance back to find him watching my ass, and he grins guiltily.

“I’ll start breakfast,” he tells me, rising. “Or is it lunch? Is it wrong to eat waffles for lunch?”

I shake my head. “Never.”

Some hours later, we’ve had food, a nap, and even managed to watch half of the 1992 version of Dracula , laughing at the ridiculous portrayal of the vampires in the movie. Asher seems to be doing fine as long as he keeps his hands on me.

From our first encounter at that coffee shop, he’s become so much more relaxed around me, and it’s amazing to see.

Now that the pull of the moon is riding him harder and harder, we’ve figured out that touching helps.

His heartbeat slows when I’m in his arms, and the moment he puts his nose to my neck and huffs in a breath, his shoulders drop a notch.

I love it. His attention fills some hidden part of my soul that I didn’t know was gaping empty. Now I get to luxuriate in it, in the knowledge that Asher is just as smitten with me as I am with him.

But the sun is setting, and if the low growls echoing from Asher’s chest beside me are any indication, we’re about to find out just how strong the effect of the full moon will be on my boyfriend.

Asher reaches for the remote and puts the movie on pause. “There’s one more thing we haven’t talked about.”

I turn to him. “Yeah?”

He cups the back of my neck and strokes his thumb over my skin. “The location of the bite,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble. “You need to tell me where you want it. If I bite up here, it’ll be visible to everyone.”

“Oh.” I sit back, thinking. “You’re sure you can bite me without nicking a major vein or something?”

He nods. “I read the chapters about it in those books you borrowed. Apparently, the instinct to protect your mate is strong enough that it makes it easier to know where to bite down. And how deeply.”

I think of my scrubs, and the V-neck collar that would show off the bite if it was on the side of my neck.

“Here.” I point at the spot where my neck meets my shoulder. “It’ll stay under my uniform at work, but I’ll be able to show it off whenever I choose in our private lives. I want people to know. And I think it’ll look lovely right here.”

His gaze darkens. “It’ll look fucking fantastic. Now we have to get you ready.”

I blink at him. “What do you mean? We did that earlier. I’m ready.”

“I feel it, June.” He cracks his neck, then glances to the east window. “It’s almost risen. The trees will hide it at first, but once it’s over the horizon, it’ll have its full effect on me.”

“Okay.” I jump to my feet, anticipation rising in me. “What do I need to do?”

Asher stands and stomps past me to the bedroom. I follow, bemused, until he swipes the lube off the nightstand and tosses it to me.

“Make yourself ready. I’ll wait.” He takes my chin and tilts it up for a kiss. “I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.”

My pussy squeezes at his words. That’s how far gone I am for him. I kiss him back, opening my mouth for him, and touch my tongue to his, ravenous for his touch.

“You won’t hurt me,” I whisper. “I’ll get ready, but know that I want this. I want you so much, Asher, and I want to experience this night with you. All of it. The fucking, the biting, the touching. Okay? Never doubt that.”

He leans his forehead against mine. “Okay. But June?”

“Hmm?” I close my eyes, enjoying this quiet moment that feels like the calm before the storm.

He gives me one last hard kiss. “Hurry.”

I rush into the bathroom and use the toilet, then drink water from the tap.

I have no clue what exactly will happen beyond sex, and lots of it, so I don’t want to get dehydrated.

I remove my leggings and panties, deciding that Asher’s sweatshirt is enough coverage for now.

We’ll be naked in minutes, probably, so I’d rather save this pair of underwear than have Asher tear it off me with his teeth.

Then I uncap the lube and squeeze a dollop onto my fingers.

I work myself open slowly, sliding my fingers over my pussy lips, then push inside. I’m not as sensitive as I was before, but the cool touch of lube still has me hissing in a breath. I add more and smear it around until I’m coated with it, inside and out, and as ready for Asher as I’ll ever be.

I’m trembling, my anticipation from earlier mixed with a heavy dose of lust and apprehension, but it melts away at the thought of Asher waiting for me outside the door.

Yet he’s nowhere to be seen when I open the bathroom door and step into the bedroom. Confused, I move into the hallway, but he’s not there, and the kitchen is empty, too.

“Asher?”

Worry pierces through my giddiness. The sliding door of the large bay window in the living room is gaping open, a slow autumn breeze ruffling the curtains.

Then I notice a piece of paper taped to the window. I hurry over, tear it away from the glass, and stare down at the two words scrawled on it in what I assume is Asher’s writing.

Run, baby .

I whirl on my feet, heart thundering. Our conversation on chasing replays in my mind. I search the edges of the twilit forest beyond Asher’s property with my gaze.

I wouldn’t mind that. It sounds like fun .

You’d want me to chase you, baby? Pin you down and fuck you right there?

The note flutters from my fingers. I dash for the hallway to pull on my boots. I don’t bother with socks, but I’m not about to run in the forest at night barefoot. Then I unlock the front door and sneak through it, closing it softly behind me.

Asher must be watching the back entrance, expecting me to come barreling right into his arms, no doubt.

But if my man wants a chase, I’ll give him one.