Chapter 3

Three

"Does that answer the question?"

I blink away the fuzzy post sex confusion and try to remember the question.

Right… timing.

Forehead to his, I've finally managed to catch my breath. "Silly me… I forgot to set a stopwatch."

He laughs, a heavy rumble against me, and I slide off of him, "Will you be totally weirded out if I collect some of this?"

I don't point to where his come has started to slide down my leg.

"That depends on what you're going to use it for?"

"Nothing good… but also nothing that will adversely affect you or yours."

He shrugs a shoulder, sitting up. "Technically, it's yours now. I relinquished ownership the moment I came inside you."

There's a tiny bottle beside one of the plants that's waiting to be moved to its forever pot. Corked and clean, it's perfect for the amount I plan to collect.

Joshua watches me the whole time, and I hold it up for him to see as I clean off the rim and press the cork back in.

"Now." I set it down on the low table beside the couch. "Don't wander off."

It takes less than five minutes to slip into the bathroom, clean myself off and then pull on a new shirt and one of the skirts I wear around the house when I've no plans to go out.

Joshua is still where I left him. The only difference is that he's managed to pull on his jeans—though he hasn't gotten them zipped up or buttoned, and his belt is flopped open like his hands forgot how to work when he got to that part.

I almost make a joke about him already having his shoes on, but he looks a little too worn out to enjoy the humor.

"Have fun?"

He catches my hand and pulls me down, kissing me and wrapping my hair in his hand, the grip is brutal, and reminds me just how sexy it truly was—even though it was quite tame.

When he relinquishes me, I back away, off the couch and out of reach. I have things to do today and it would be so easy for him to convince me to put them off.

"So," I say as he joins me standing. "As far as auditions go…?"

"You know you were fantastic. Stop fishing for compliments."

Again, he gets too close.

Again, he gets ahold of me and draws me into a sinful kiss.

If he had his way, I'm pretty sure I'd be completely thoughtless and at his mercy.

But when he pulls back, his brows are pinched, his forehead furrowed. "Do you really want to do this with an animal?"

"Not an animal. With you… and your pack." I hand him his shirt. "Your mind will be intact. At that point, you'll be more man than wolf… It will be exactly like this, except I won't kiss you, you'll be a little hairier, and we'll be in a cemetery."

"So… not a big difference."

I choose to ignore the sarcasm. And instead, I cinch his belt for him, just a little too tight, before I move it back to where it ought to be.

"I hope I see you tomorrow night." I drag my fingers down his cheek and press up on my toes to kiss him. "But if not, come visit me anytime you want. And feel free to bring your friends."