Page 13 of Someone Else's Wolf

His grin was shy and proud, and he shook his head slowly. "No."

"Well, then." I faced him, feeling suddenly uneasy. "Thanks. It was great, man. Just great."

"Yeah. For me, too." He reached out, touched my sides lightly and rested his hands there, and his gaze settled on mine, in tune with me, caring, concerned. "You sure you're all right? Not too hungry?"

I had to snort. "You fed me well, believe me. I won't faint behind the wheel."

"Make sure you don't."

His thumbs rubbed against my ribcage. Damn, his touching me felt good. Intimate in ways small and large. I couldn't let my breath catch; I couldn't.

"Remember, we're slightly distant but friendly at work."

"I won't forget." He leaned down and kissed me, light and friendly. "Take care of yourself, Shane. Don't forget to eat."

I snorted softly. "See you at work."

Another quick peck of a kiss. "You know where I live now, and you've got my number, so let's make this happen again."

"I sure do," I said, grinning at him. "I've got your number, all right." I gave him a wink, and he actually looked embarrassed and flustered as he dropped his gaze.

"Thanks." I touched his side. "I mean that. And, yeah, let's make it happen again. It was magic." I hoped that wasn't too mushy, but that's how it had felt to me: like magic.

He looked so shyly flattered, I was glad I'd said it.

It was either very late or very early when I drove home, depending on how you looked at it. I felt satisfied in a way I hadn't been in some time. I'd better shower and pull myself together — and get at least another few hours' sleep.

Whatever happened from here, I had no regrets. That had been awesome.

#

Sue was really pissed at me. Did she know? Had he told her, or had she guessed? I hadn't specifically asked him not to tell Sue, after all — but the whole "yes, I'll be discreet" promise would seem to imply that, wouldn't it?

Then again, maybe there was no terribly complicated reason for her annoyance. Maybe the hot werewolf leaning on my shoulders was enough.

I was trying to get some work done. Typing and all that, you know. Peter was standing behind me, hands resting on my shoulders, leaning against me, probably looking possessive as hell while he argued with Lockett.

Could he have marked his territory any more distinctly? I mean, what had happened todiscreet?

"I'm not saying I don't understand it," Peter explained patiently. "I'm saying it's a stupid rule. A stupid idea. That, in fact, an idiot thought of it."

He was arguing police station policy, which always went so well. It wasn't like any of us could change the rules or just decide to flout them.

"Peter," Sue said, so close she almost made me jump. Fortunately, I was focusing extra hard on being unflappable at the moment, and didn't. "Peter, come on. We've got things to do." She didn't sound annoyed with him, at least. She sounded regretful, fretful, even a bit pleading.

Holy shit, she really is worried I'm taking her partner, isn't she?That shouldn't have given me a little buzz, but it did.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't even sure if I'd want to take him. Being responsible for him on the job would be pretty intense, something I wasn't trained for. Being responsible for him in bed — now, that was a different matter.

Think, Shane! Focus!I tried manfully to get on with it. This report wasn't going to write itself. But, hell, why wasn't he paying attention? Any minute, he might have his hands all over me. And what was wrong with me that I kind of enjoyed the thought? I'd never thought I was into exhibitionism or possessiveness.

"Just a minute," said Peter, who was not done arguing. Honestly, he could be such a nerd sometimes. A hot fuckin' nerd. His hands on my shoulders felt heavy and intent. I was going to tell him about it later, but it really did feel good. It was also embarrassing to realize that no way had anyone in the precinct not noticed his decided preference for me this morning.

I hadn't minded so much before we were sleeping together. Then, it had felt weird and a little humorous, even with other people noticing he was bringing me food or was worried about me hurting myself, or was just hanging around me a lot and sitting on my desk. But this morning I felt exposed, as if everyone could stare at me and see through my skin to the mass of seething things going on inside me.

Such as being turned on by hands on my shoulders.Shit shit shit.He really shouldn't have such an effect on me. I mean, we had just spent most of the night together. That should be plenty.

I was trying to work up enough annoyance to tell him to get off me, but I couldn't seem to do it. I was acutely focused on not letting anything show on my face, hoping that I wouldn't start blushing any second. It seemed likely, though, as he began to distractedly knead my shoulders — like he was giving me a massage, for pity's sake!