Page 75 of The Wolfing Hour

“We really need to talk about this,” I said. “Resistance to silver, the ability to enthrall wolf shifters?—”

“All shifters,” he said, his gaze searching, as if he were trying to gauge my reaction before saying the rest.

“So, are you limited to shifters, or can you use that ability on humans? Or other paranormals?” I asked.

“Worried I might use it on you?”

“Could make for an interesting time in the bedroom now and then. No restraints necessary, Mr. Grey.”

A laugh burst out of him like a sigh of relief. “You’d trust me to take you over like that?”

“Like you haven’t already.” I patted my chest over my heart.

It was a sentimental, mushy gesture, the kind I normally avoided like a disease. A prime example of how this man trulyhadtaken me over, heart and soul. No BDSM equipment or alpha power needed.

He came around the breakfast bar and hugged me close. “How did you suddenly fill every space in my world, Betty? You’re becoming like oxygen to me. Even the thought of existing without you makes it hard to breathe.”

“I could ask you the same question.”

He kissed me, not even making a token effort toward gentleness. His mouth drank mine, lips and tongue and the edge of teeth. My arms tightened around his neck, grasping desperately. We were as close as two fully clothed people could be, but it wasn’t enough. I needed more. He needed more.

And the timing was absolute garbage.

Ronan broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine. His breath was hot on my face, his body burning me through my clothes. I’d never wanted him more, and I got the feeling he felt the same way.

“We have work to do,” I murmured.

“My godsdamn father.”

“You know, Fennel’s breaking and entering game is solid. Might be a good idea for us to take a little look-see in Floyd’s house. See if he’s even in town. Maybe he left a file with a holographic skull and crossbones sticker and the wordsmyevil planscrawled across it on his desk.”

“No. And it’s not because I don’t trust you to handle the job, so don’t get your back up.”

He’d called it. My hackles had risen the instant the wordnohad left his lips. “Then give me a reason. And it needs to be good.”

“Listen.” He wrapped his arms around me when I went to break away. “If something were to happen to you in there, I’d have to go in after you. There’s no other way this goes down.”

“And?”

“If I haven’t challenged Floyd and I enter his house without permission, I’ll be breaking the rules of engagement. The pack will see it as weakness even if it’s for a good cause.”

“But Floyd does all kinds of?—”

“Bullshit. Yeah, he does. But he doesn’t have anything to prove. I do. The rules are different for challengers.”

“Well, that’s bullshit,” I said.

“That’s the pack.”

“You sure you want all this?” I lifted one of his hands and weaved my fingers through his. “Seems like a lot of rule-following for my taste.”

He squeezed, bringing our palms flat against each other. “I owe it to my allies to take Floyd down. The unprotected betas, the wolves too cowed to choose a side—they need me.”

I knew it, understood it, hated it.

“Your dad sucks.”

He grinned, nodded. “That’s why I can’t let him be in charge of my friends anymore.”