Page 11 of Someone Else's Wolf

I opened my eyes, my gaze flying to his: those startlingly green eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe.

"That's right." His voice was as gentle as his thrusts were firm and steady. He held me in place, so strong, so gentle, his hands competent and warm and perfect. And, oh, how he filled me. It felt so good.

"Keep going," I managed, my voice strained and hoarse.

"I didn't intend to stop."

It felt like this could go on forever and not be enough. But of course, biology having its limits, it could only last so long till stars exploded behind my eyes, and the rest of me followed in fireworks of splendor. I don't know if I cried out or not; it was too intense to even be aware of that. I know he came soon after, pumping inside me, so warm and tight.

"So good," he grunted, holding me down, holding me tight. It felt so right, real and perfect in a way sex never was. How was he so good at this?

"Oh, god." I'd better not cry. Emotion hurricaned through me, more than I understood or could contain. I clung to him, babbling something or other, not sure what, while he finished and pulled out, took care of the condom, and then kissed me on the mouth and told me I was perfect.

Perfect.

"You're so good." He ran the back of his hand down my cheek, shaky with exhaustion, and kissed me again, then flung himself down beside me and wrapped himself around me from behind. "Don't forget." The whisper of his breath against the back of my neck felt insanely intimate. "You promised me a round two."

And with that, he went limp and began to snore — somehow without loosening his hold on me. I felt sleep swirling up to capture me as well, and I hadn't even calmed down yet. I panted hard and tried to stay awake, but, really, what was the point?

I wanted to be up for round two, didn't I?

I let sleep claim me, reveling in the strong arms holding me tight.

CHAPTER FIVE

I needed a cigarette — and I hadn't smoked since college. I looked at Peter, wondering if he had any.

He put a hand on my lower back, resting it there like it belonged. It still felt good. Two rounds of sex, and his touch still affected me. I didn't have any need left to satisfy, but it still felt damned good.

"Hey." I leaned back towards him, offering him a kiss. He accepted it, his mouth gentle, savoring and soft.

"Hey, yourself," he said, his voice a little rough. He put his hands around my midsection and drew me back to rest against him.

Don't think nestle, I told myself sternly. I shouldn't enjoy feeling small in his arms, feeling so cared for. That had never been my thing before. But, damn, did it feel good being held like that, big, strong, protective and gentle hands around me, holding me.

"So, you definitely are gay?" I asked.

He chuckled. "What gave it away?"

I rolled my eyes at that. "You talked about your friend who dates people for money, remember? You met her through Craigslist?" I poked his knee. "Was that for you, then? And you got into the same game yourself later?"

"You remembered." He seemed faintly astonished. "Yes, that's right. I needed a date to attend the wedding of my boss where I was working at the time. I wasn't out, and they weren't shifters, so they hadn't figured me out, either. I didn't want the hassle of dealing with — well, you know, everything. So, I hired her to be my date for one day, to avoid awkward questions. We got to talking, and I realized what a good gig it was. She helped me get into it, although I didn't do it for very long before I found the Shifters and Partners program and decided I liked that better. It wasn't all for staying in the closet, though — sometimes people just needed a plus-one." He leaned down and kissed me again. "Mm. You taste nice."

I laughed a little. "Do I?" It felt so good to stretch up to kiss him back. It felt so damned good.

A couple of moments later, I said, "This isn't going to make things weird at work, is it?" Of course I should have asked that before, but I hadn't exactly been thinking clearly. I'd barely remembered to ask about the mates thing.

"What? No. I'll be very circumspect." He kissed me. "Distant, but friendly. The perfect amount of reserve mixed with niceness, so no one gets pissed off at you." He kissed me again, my neck this time.

I tilted it sideways to give him access, grinning a little. I hadn't felt this desired in...well, I couldn't remember when. I felt like a sex symbol. He made me feel so hot and flawless.

His hand tightened against my stomach, holding me to him like he had no intention of letting go. "I won't even sit on your desk anymore, if you want me to stop."

"Mm." I couldn't think, so I made a noncommittal sound. "Sue's gonna figure it out, even if nobody else does."

His snort was soft. "Don't worry about my partner. She's got her own shit going on."

"Is she into you?" I wondered aloud, feeling sleepy. "Maybe that's why she warned me off."