Chapter 27

Sam

Meg looked rattled. I was rattled. Scenting her had been delicious. Wolf was on high alert, and the rest of me was distracted, too.

"I can finish making coffee. Since everyone will be here in an hour or so anyway, I might as well make the whole pot," I said, glad to have anything else as a diversion. Scenting had never been a turn on for me, but scenting Megan definitely was. I shook my head to clear it as I finished filling the pot to the brim. Everyone not sick or out of town would be at this Gathering.

"Um, will…will scenting be so…personal with everyone?"

My ears perked up. It felt personal to her, too? That was a good sign, I thought.

"I doubt it. Most of the time, scenting is similar to a handshake, but a little more up close, if you will." I paused. "How personal was it?" Dying to know her reaction, I watched her swallow and fidget as she cleared her throat.

"I think that just wasn't at all what I was expecting." Wolf sobered some. I was hoping for more. Like maybe fireworks. I nodded, not trusting my voice. She sighed, and I glanced back to find her eyes screwed shut and her mouth a thin line. She opened her eyes, met my gaze, and bit her lip. I raised an eyebrow.

"This is really awkward and embarrassing." She stopped.

I lifted my eyebrows as I put the heavy percolator onto the counter and gave her my full attention.

She stammered, "Can…do—I mean…" then all in a rush, "Can I practice scenting you?"

I laughed. I couldn't help it. Wolf was elated that she wanted to scent me. Or at least try it out. I wondered if she would find it attractive. Hopefully.

"Sure."

With the speed of a turtle, she came over to me by the sink. Gingerly standing on tiptoe, she leaned in ever so slightly and sniffed. Like she had a cold. I bit back a grin.

"Was that it?"

"Not quite." I smiled. "Let your wolf do the work. Like you did when you were baking last night."

"Hmm. That was easier. I picked up a little canister and let her sniff. I can't exactly do the same to you."

"I'm a little large for a canister. Just lean in and let her get my scent."

On tiptoes again, she leaned in, clearly still leery of getting into my space. I wanted her in my space! She inhaled a little deeper this time, though still not letting her wolf lead.

"Don't be afraid of it. It's a perfectly natural nicety in the pack." When she glanced up at me, still skeptical and uncomfortable, I lightly circled her waist and brought her in closer. Her eyes went wide, and panic momentarily flashed across her face. I swallowed back the urge to kiss her senseless and instead dropped my hands and made myself respond clinically.

"When you're scenting someone, it's okay to get closer to them than would be appropriate by human standards. You don't have to actually touch their skin with your nose, but you do need to get in close." Even though I had thoroughly enjoyed raising goose bumps on her a few minutes ago, it wasn't entirely necessary I get that close to her.

I held still, heart picking up as I tipped my chin back.

She was only standing an inch or two away, so she didn't have far to lean in. My eyes closed as I felt the warm rush of air leave her as she exhaled before she came a hair's breadth away from my skin and breathed deeply. Wolf nudged me to reciprocate, but I held back. She didn't immediately lean back, and I stayed still as a statue. I could sense the change in her when she let her wolf take over but was unprepared for her touch. Her hand came up and cupped the back of my neck as her nose touched behind my ear.

Have mercy, it made my knees weak.

Her wolf must have sensed something in me because her wolf faded, and she quickly stepped back.

I cleared my throat, determined not to spook her.

"And the verdict is?"

"Snow and pine." Her cheeks colored lightly. "Though I think I already knew that."

I raised my eyebrows. That was news to me. I was pleased she'd already picked up my scent.

"So think you can let your wolf to the surface to scent about forty-five more?"

She rolled her eyes. "Not like I have a choice."