Page 16 of Someone Else's Wolf

I felt ill at ease, and I really didn't want to talk about it anymore. It was something to hold close and think about later. The idea that I might be good enough after all — that he believed in me so much, he'd go to bat for me to get a better job, if I wanted one. It was a big deal.

"I can smell something else, for instance, right now," he said in a teasing, somewhat seductive voice.

My grin spread soft and wide as I hid my face against his chest. I was still getting used to how nice this was. "Oh? What would that be?"

"That you're hungry. Come on, sit and eat with me." He gave my side a little swat.

I groaned.

"Then, I promise I'll find something more interesting to distract you with." His smile gleamed, both wicked and sweet. How was that even possible?

At that most inappropriate moment, I found myself realizing something.I think I might be falling for this man.

He was hot, sexy, and kind — and he believed in me. More than I did in myself. It was a combination that was difficult to resist.

But this was all happening way too fast.

I decided not to think about it.

#

We had a good time that night, and while neither of us said anything about it, I had the feeling we were both thinking we had a good thing here, not a one-off, two-off situation, but something that could last and be really mutually rewarding. I didn't fling around words likeboyfriendordating,but I was thinking along those lines.

Of course it could have been the amazing sex doing my thinking for me; there was always that. I'd never felt as blown away and cherished as I did with Peter. He was really, really good at this — on a level that far surpassed hookups or casual dating.

It was a relief that he didn't think we were mates, but everything I'd heard about wolves (accurate or not) said they didn't often do casual. I certainly got that feeling here, with Peter. He might not say I was his mate or boyfriend, but he was possessive about me, intent, and invested. I liked that, I really did.

It had been difficult for me in the last few years to summon the emotional energy to get past my reserves, to actually commit to anyone who would probably leave me in a month anyway when they got fed up with my schedule, my body, or my personality defects.

So far, I didn't see that looming with Peter. And I'd found myself getting attached with almost shocking ease. Again, that could be the sex — but not just that. At least, I didn't think it was just that. We really did have a good thing here so far. We shared approximately the same schedule, too, so there wouldn't be any conflict over that, at least.

I hoped it could last without Sue's jealous streak causing a rift — or outing us. I had the feeling it wouldn't be a secret from her for long, though. She was no idiot.

And where did Peter's impassioned promise to get me into the Shifters and Partners program come into all of this? Assuming it happened, the training period would be time away from the precinct, and there was every possibility I'd end up assigned to another precinct, if I even graduated with a partner. Wasn't he worried about that? He seemed so truthful about the whole thing, it was impossible to hold on to the belief that he might be trying to trade in Sue for me. It wasn't the vibe; he was too earnest, too honest.

I guessed he was just a selfless sort of guy. He didn't care if it meant me moving on with my life, as long as I knew I had value and could change jobs if I wanted to, to work with a wolf or other type of shifter.

Honestly, I was of two minds about that. I'd never seriously considered the possibility, at least not since I hadn't passed the original, bare-bones screening. I'd resigned myself to being mediocre, without the right stuff for that job. I was no high-flyer, worthy of the best kind of partner.

Now he was saying I had a chance if I wanted one. And although I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up, I kind of did. I wanted to believe it. I wanted to believe he saw something special in me that no one else had, that I could be and do more than this, if I wanted to.

Did I?

#

As the next few days passed, Sue and I reached a stalemate, or a détente, at least. She didn't say anything to me, and I didn't say anything to her. There were no long glaring matches or shoulder bumps, either.

I felt that was a success. She knew I'd call her out if she made too much of a fuss. That, or Peter had managed to reassure her. I wasn't betting on the latter. He did, however, manage to spend less time around me at work — possibly because we spent almost all of our off-hours together.

I knew it couldn't go on forever without people catching on (if they hadn't already), but I felt too besotted with Peter to worry about it overmuch.

As well, my thoughts were preoccupied with the idea of having a shifter partner. Could I really go through the training? Did I want to? There were decisions to be made, but I needed more information first. My first instinct was to jump at it —yes, please. Possibly a big mistake.

My more rational side said I should talk to the captain and see if I'd still have a job here if I went through the training and came home with a partner. Perhaps there wasn't room on the payroll for a second wolf. I knew it could be expensive, so there was that. Or maybe it would be best to find out first if Peter was right, if I had a chance at all. No need to get egg on my face with the boss if there wasn't a place for me there, anyway.

And again, if I made it into the program and graduated with a partner, and they didn't want me here, would I be willing to move? And if not, why? Would I stay here just for Peter, when I could have a better job and better pay elsewhere, and a partner to share my professional life with?

I liked Peter, sure. I had strong feelings for Peter. But were they deep enough, real enough, and lasting enough to turn down a better job offer? I knew myself well enough to realize that, while we had a good thing going, there wasn't much chance of it going on forever. Sadly, Peter would probably get fed up with me at some point, and possibly quite soon.