Page 29 of Someone Else's Wolf

He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. "They smell disgusting."

"Exactly. So, you're not the world's expert. Let me wallow in peace."

"If I'm going to be your partner—"

"If? There's an if now?" Peter hadn't sent him running for the hills, so now he had some other issue?

He frowned, lowering his gaze and shaking his head. "That's not what I mean. I meantbecauseyou're going to be my partner, I have some say. I mean, I get to tell you you're an idiot if you're acting like one."

"And am I?" I tried to sound like I didn't care what he said.

He licked his lips thoughtfully, as if he was trying to think how to word it. "Yeah. You kinda are. If you don't watch yourself, you could get stuck with a possessive wolf — for life."

"Buddy, you are so wrong, it isn't funny. And I really wish you were right."

When I walked away, he followed me, falling into step with me. "I've said my piece. I can live with it, if he's in your life. Just think carefully."

"I'm not sure what there is to think about. I've already said—"

He bumped my shoulder with his own, a rough jostle. "It doesn't matter what you've said. Justthink. Because you're on your own with this." He stopped us both, hand on my shoulder, turning me to meet his intense, judgmental gaze. "I'm not taking on your love life if — when — we work together. If you can keep it together, that's fine. But I'm telling you the truth now. I don't want to have to depend on a flake who's going to run off in a fit of heartbreak. The job comes first for me, and that means I need a partner I can count on. Is that going to be you, whatever happens with your stupid wolf?"

"He's not stupid."

Kirk glared at me.

"But, yes. You can count on me. Whatever happens with Peter."Or doesn't.

"Good." He gave my shoulder a squeeze that was bound to leave a bruise. The guy didn't know his own strength.

I rubbed my shoulder surreptitiously after he let go. It was a relief that he was done talking about Peter, and that Peter wasn't a deal-breaker for him. Although talking about him too much evidently would be. "Now, we just have to pass all the requirements."

He huffed. "That shouldn't be hard. You just have to prove you can handle me and keep me in line."

"In that case, I'd say it's damned impossible," I shot back.

He feinted a lunge towards me, like he was going to slam his chest against mine. I laughed, stepping back, holding up my hands.

He straightened himself up very tall and looked at me through half-lidded eyes. "You just keep that in mind." Then he strode past me, tall and cold and lordly, and far too strong. As he passed me, he reached out and ruffled my hair.

"Hey!" I was grinning as I followed him. It was hard to stay downhearted when I'd just acquired a partner, and maybe even something like a friend. Although, knowing me, I was jumping ahead of things again, and I really shouldn't get my hopes up.