Page 15

Chapter

Fourteen

K NOX

As soon as I’d donned my clothes, I searched for Danny. We had been having such fun earlier, before Everett had arrived, or at least I thought we had been. Now, in hindsight, I wondered if I hadn’t overstepped by trying to play with him. He’d been keeping me at a distance, and my wolf had ignored that, wanting to engage in typical mating fun.

“Hey,” I said, approaching Danny from behind, and doing my best to ignore the expanse of silky pale skin as he slid his shirt over his head and turned with his sweater in hand. “Can we talk for a moment?”

“Sure.” He cocked his head. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m sorry if I pushed you earlier.” I tugged on the end of my ponytail. “I shouldn’t have come on so strong.”

Danny pursed his lips. “You didn’t push me, and I hate that you have to be so cautious with me. I enjoyed our time together in our other forms. It was nice to play, and for it just to be simple.” He heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry that I’m not easy. Almost any other mate would be less work than I am. I am… complicated. I wish I wasn’t because you deserve better.”

I shook my head. “You’re perfect as you are. I never want you to feel rushed, or like you have to follow someone else’s timeframe.”

He buried his face in his hands and growled. “I just hate how hard this must be for you. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Hey, now.” Gently, I laid my hand on his shoulder. “Take it easy on yourself. I never want you to be sorry for being the way you are. I’m not sorry to have met my mate, and you shouldn’t be either just because our path forward isn’t as clear as it might otherwise be. You’re giving me a chance, and that means more to me than you could possibly imagine.”

Danny’s expression softened. “Thank you.”

He glanced down, and his eyes widened. I pretended not to notice that he was eyeballing my crotch. Yes, I was aroused. Unfortunately, when I was around him, that tended to be the case. It didn’t mean I was going to act on it.

“Can I walk you home?” I asked.

Danny blushed. “I’d like that.”

He pulled his sweater on and sat to put on his shoes and tie his laces. When he stood, he offered me his arm. I linked mine with it, and drew him close, subtly breathing in his sweet, honeyed scent.

We bid goodbye to our hosts and circled around the house and onto the street. I walked him a couple of doors down to his own place, and accompanied him all the way to the door.

On the doorstep, I untangled my arm from his and stepped back.

“You aren’t coming in?” he asked.

I understood the question. I’d been standing watch over him most nights. But nothing had happened for a while, and unfortunately, although I could ignore my arousal while in Danny’s presence, it needed to be dealt with. I could hardly jerk off in his hallway. Even if he didn’t hear me, he’d smell it.

“Not this time, I’m afraid.”

“Oh.” Danny looked down at his hands. “It’s not because…”

“It has nothing to do with you,” I assured him. “There’s something I need to take care of at home.”

Relief lightened his features. “Okay, then.”

We looked into each other’s eyes for a long moment. Just as I was about to turn away, he grabbed the lapel of my jacket and pulled me close.

Then, he kissed me.

His lips were soft against mine, and he smelled of sugar and earth. I groaned and shifted against him, edging closer. Cautiously, I darted my tongue out to taste his lips. A hint of something spicy lingered from his earlier meal but the rest was pure Danny.

He sagged against me. I circled my arms around him, but instantly, he stiffened. Immediately, I let him go. I backed up with my hands held in front of me, placating.

“It’s okay,” I said. “You’re safe.”

I don’t know how I knew that’s what he needed to hear, but I did.

He hauled in a shuddering breath. “Sorry.”

“What did we say about being sorry?” I demanded.

He shuffled from one foot to the other. “That I shouldn’t be?”

“Damn right.” He had nothing to be sorry for. I shouldn’t have grabbed him. I should have taken what he was giving me and let him lead.

He narrowed his eyes. “Well, neither should you. I liked that.” He flushed. “A lot. So don’t feel guilty. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“You will.” Even if it was just for my daily coffee order.

I said good night and hurried away before I changed my mind and ended up dozing beneath his windowsill again. I traveled back to my place on foot. I hadn’t ridden my motorcycle to the gathering because I still worried that it might scare Danny. One day, I’d take him riding on the back, but for now, baby steps were needed.

When I arrived at the cabin, I let myself in, locked the door, and started the shower. I stripped off and stuck my hand in to test the temperature of the water. When it was warm enough, I got in.

Closing my eyes, I savored the beat of the water against my back and wrapped my hand around my cock. Traces of Danny’s scent lingered on my skin, and I summoned an image of him to the forefront of my mind just as he’d been earlier. Naked in the moonlight, his lean muscles dancing as he moved.

Fuck, he was sexy.

I pumped my hand along my cock, twisting at the end, rubbing my thumb on the underside of the sensitive head. My hand was too big. Too rough. Danny’s would be smaller, with fine fingers and soft skin. Never mind. This would have to do for now.

Shuttling my hand back and forth, I imagined him in the throes of passion. His lips would part on a cry, the cords of his neck would stand out, and that cock—the one I so badly wanted to touch—would drip with evidence of how badly he wanted me.

My dick throbbed and I threw my head back, roaring as I came. Cum splattered the shower wall. I panted, catching my breath.

Gods, if this was what happened when I jerked off to a fantasy of Danny, then I wasn’t sure I was prepared for how strongly my body might react when I actually had him in my arms. When that time came, he’d better be damn sure about us, because once I had him, I doubted I’d be able to let him go.

I rinsed off the wall, washed myself, and shut the shower off. I dried myself with brisk movements and checked my phone. A message from Danny awaited.

Danny: Come by the bakery on Monday morning.