Page 25 of Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf

"Morning," I say, keeping my voice neutral despite the way my pulse quickens at the sight of her.

"Morning." Her eyes flick to mine, then away. "I made coffee. Hope that's okay."

"More than okay." I pour myself a cup, careful to maintain distance between us. The memory of her body pressed against mine is still too fresh. "Sleep well?"

"Fine." Her cheeks flush slightly. "Your bed is comfortable."

An awkward silence stretches between us. I clear my throat.

“I’ll drop you off at Windfall Manor, then conduct the few interviews for the rest of the vendors and staff we haven’t been able to get around to.”

Julia nods, all business now. "Is that how we’ll maintain our story? You dropping me off in the morning?"

So everyone knows she spent the night in my bed. So every male and female around can smell my fresh scent on her body the moment she steps out of my patrol car.

"It’s exactly right."

My wolf prowls beneath my skin, ready to pounce on the occasion to rub against her again. To taste her again. No human will be able todetect it, but any wolf, dragon, even orcs will be able to tell. My scent permeates her skin, clinging to her hair in a way that feels all too good.

Dangerous. I’m already feeling too possessive around her. I’ll have to thread carefully.

She smells like my flannel shirt even though she's changed into her own clothes. The scent of her, vanilla and cinnamon, mingles with mine in a way that sends a primal satisfaction surging through me. My wolf preens at the evidence that she's been marked as ours.

Not ours. This isn't real.

"We should establish some ground rules," Julia says, setting down her mug with a decisive click. "About touching and… other things."

"Agreed. What did you have in mind?"

"Hand-holding is acceptable. Maybe an arm around the waist if necessary. But nothing like…" She gestures vaguely between us, her cheeks pinkening. "Last night."

Last night. When I kissed her and felt something click into place. When her soft lips yielded under mine and her small, surprised gasp echoed in my ears.

"Agreed," I say, even as my wolf growls in disagreement. "Just enough to be convincing."

She nods, visibly relieved. "Good. Then we're on the same page."

But as I follow her out to my truck, I'm not convinced we're even reading the same book.

The drive to Windfall Manor is quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Julia fidgets with her phone, occasionally tapping out messages to her assistant. I keep my eyes on the road, trying not to notice how she's unconsciously rubbing her wrist where I scented herlast night.

We park in the staff lot, and Julia turns to me before we exit the vehicle.

"So we’re going in hand in hand," she says, her tone all business. "Nothing more."

"That won’t be enough," I reply. My wolf growls that it’s definitely not enough. Not nearly enough. “Yesterday’s scent mark is fading already.”

Julia hesitates, then her professional mask slides back into place.

"Of course. You're right."

“We don’t have to kiss,” I tell her as my wolf’s hackles rise in outrage. “But I’ll still put a fresh mark on you. Just on your wrist and neck.”

She swallows and I follow the movement as her throat moves up and down. Those big hazel eyes pin me in place as her full, delicious lips part slightly. The scent of her becomes nearly unbearable as I lift her wrists to my face and rub them on my lips. Her skin feels soft and delicate under my lips and my cock strains, unwelcome and untamed. I feel like a horny teenager and not a mature wolf about to become alpha.

My fangs elongate in response to her scent. I want to graze them along her limbs, feel her shiver underneath me as I climb over her. Julia suppresses a little gasp as I accidentally scrape my fangs to her vulnerable flesh.

It almost undoes me. Almost. But I’m no brash pup. I have control over my instincts. And over my wolf.