Chapter 11

Dean

As I awoke, it took me a few minutes to get my bearings straight.

When I opened my eyes and saw Bailey sleeping peacefully in bed, it all came crashing back to me.

I took a quick physical check. My head wasn't hurting, but I had a terrible crick in my neck from sleeping on the chair in her motel room.

My mate, I thought as I stared at her.

She was young and inexperienced. She'd even confessed as much to me. But she was gorgeous, smart, and far more mature than her eighteen years would suggest.

A few of the things she'd mentioned as we talked sent up red flags. Not the sort to push me I away, more like the kind that made me want to protect her all the more.

I gathered her family life hadn't been the best, though she didn't go into detail about it. It was just a gut feeling, but it made me hesitant to even let her out of my sight.

How the hell was I going to survive the day without her?

This was bad, very bad.

I wasn't the guy who had ever allowed myself to get close to someone. To her, sex was probably as close as it got, an intimate experience I'd never had. To me, sex was fun and a way to blow off steam, nothing more.

Kissing her last night made me think there could be a lot more to it. If I were being honest, I was glad she needed things to go slowly because I needed time to prepare myself for being with her, too. I knew it wasn't going to be the same. In a lot of ways, it would be like my first time too.

That was a comical thought, but I didn't think I could just be physical with Bailey and I'd never emotionally connected with anyone in this way before. She equally excited and terrified me at the same time.

"Good morning," I said in a husky voice, steeped in sleep.

She screamed and jumped out of bed, ready to fight.

When it registered that it was just me, she placed her hand over her heart and took a deep breath.

"You scared the shit out of me. I didn't know you were staying over."

"I guess I just fell asleep."

She stretched, showing off her toned abs, and I wanted to reach out and touch her.

A knock at the door startled us both.

"Bailey, are you okay in there?" a man yelled.

She rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine. Just. . .a spider," she lied.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"Liar," I mouthed.

She shot a look, warning me to behave.

"Oh, okay. We're heading over to the diner for breakfast before our morning briefing. Are you coming?"

"I'll meet you guys over there. I overslept and need to get ready."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Chan, but thanks."

"Well, I guess we'll see you there."

I stood up and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Who the hell is Chan?"

"Chandler is one of the interns. You've had to have met everyone by now."

"I did meet Chandler. But Chan?"

She groaned. "It's just a nickname everyone uses, not just me."

"You're cute when you're flustered. Did you know that?"

Before she could protest, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in for a kiss. She didn't even try to fight me, instead she kissed me back like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"I guess I should fly away now."

The fact that she pouted made it a little easier to leave her.

"You know, this is a first for me, too."

"What is?"

"Sleeping over like this."

"You don't stick around, you know, afterwards?"

"Never had a reason to. Figured it would just make things more awkward. But I could get used to this, even if you do snore."

"I do not."

"Oh, yes, you do."

She scowled at me. My little wolf was not much of a morning person.

"I need to take a shower and grab some breakfast. I can't be late for Patrick's morning briefing after going AWOL yesterday."

"You know the story, and it wasn't even a complete lie. I'll make sure you don't get into any trouble over it."

"Thanks, but I can take care of myself."

"I know, but it doesn't mean I don't want to help."

She surprised me by kissing me this time and then heading for the bathroom. I stood there grinning for a moment, but when I heard the water turn on, I ran after her.

"Uh, Bailey, I should probably fly out that window before you. . ."

My words were halted at the sight of her naked body stepping into the hot water.

"Damn."

I couldn't stop myself from taking off my own clothes and joining her.

"Dean," she protested.

But I kissed her breathless.

She giggled and pulled back.

"I'm kind of in a hurry."

I shrugged and grinned down at her. "I do need to shower, too."

"This isn't taking things slowly."

"All I've done is kiss you."

Though she'd have to be blind not to see just how turned on I was. If I survived showering with her and not taking things to the next level, then I was definitely going to have to fly home and handle things myself before going into the office.

"So what you're saying is this is a time saver? Like killing two birds with one stone?"

I gave her a horrified expression. "Don't ever use that phrase again. No bird killings around here."

She giggled. "Sorry. I didn't even think about that."

"Aren't you here to help protect us birds? And now you want to go around mass killing with stones?"

I feigned horror just to get her to laugh again and see the light in her eyes when she smiled.

I was so screwed.

In my twenty-four years of life, I had flirted with ease, but never had it been as rewarding as this. I knew I was laying it on thick, but the outcome had been worth it.

"Turn around," I told her as I soaped up a washcloth and then washed her backside.

I didn't think she'd let me touch the rest of her, yet. Baby steps.

When a soft moan escaped her, I wasn't sure this was a good idea at all. It was taking every ounce of personal restraint not to say screw it and make love to her right here in the shower.

Her first time should be more than just a morning quickie, though.

I kept reminding myself that when she boldly turned to face me as she leaned her head back to wash her hair.

"You're a little temptress," I muttered, before daring to finish bathing her.

The washcloth was between us the whole time, so I wasn't really touching her the way I wanted to. I watched her response as I moved the rag down one arm and then the other. And when I brushed it over her breasts, she shivered from the touch.

I didn't press my luck and kept things quick and efficient without lingering on any one spot for too long.

By the time I was done, she was through washing her hair and traded places with me.

I honestly thought she'd leave to finish getting ready, but she stayed.

My eyes were closed as I washed my own hair and figured I'd give her a safe space to look all she wanted without embarrassment. That was all I assumed would happen until she reached out and touch me with that damn washcloth.

Waves of pleasure washed through me from her touch, the likes I never knew were possible.

"Bailey," I warned in a strained voice, because if she continued touching me like this, I wasn't sure I could control my own desires.

"Just repaying the favor," she said cheekily.

I had a suspicion that she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

"Now turn around."

I did as she said and let her wash my back. When she stopped, I turned back to face her.

She looked down and sucked in a sharp breath.

"That looks uncomfortable."

"It'll be okay. I'll take care of it later."

I didn't want to embarrass her or anything, but it wasn't like I could hide the fact that I was attracted to her. The evidence was glaringly obvious between us now.

She went back to washing my stomach, but when she dropped her hand lower and touched me there, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Frozen and not wanting her to stop, I stood there and let her wash me there.

The friction of the washcloth and the way she was moving her hand up and down my length were making me blind with need.

"Bailey, stop."

She looked up at me, confused.

"It's clean," I blurted out.

She was watching me curiously with a look of steel determination in her eyes.

"Tell me what to do."

I shook my head.

"Dean, you're my mate. You know I've never done anything like this before, so teach me. You said you'd take care of it later. How?"

I meant to tell her no, that it was okay, and a better lesson for another time. But she dropped the washcloth and wrapped her hand around me.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Bailey," I warned.

Instead of backing off, she applied more pressure and pulled her hand back. I thought I was going to bust a nut right there.

"Show me," she encouraged.

Never taking my eyes off hers, I wrapped my hand around hers and guided it up and down, again and again.

I didn't know something like this could make me feel so vulnerable. Normally I was a take charge kind of guy and had no problem telling a woman what I wanted. But this time, it was all different. We were connected in a way I didn't understand.

"Like this?" she asked, and I removed my hand to let her try on her own.

"Yes," I managed in a strained voice.

"What else?" she asked.

"This is enough," I insisted.

She seemed to test the pressure and pace of her hand, watching for my reactions. When she brushed her thumb over the head, I thought my knees were going to buckle.

This seemed to encourage her more, and she picked up the pace like she was in perfect tune with my needs.

"Oh God. Bailey. I'm about to come."

Instead of backing off, she continued faster and faster until I exploded all over her.

My breathing was heavy, and I knew I was completely at her mercy.

I thought she'd be grossed out, but it didn't seem to faze her. She just washed herself off and then surprised the hell out of me when she pressed herself against me and kissed me.

Our naked bodies were perfectly aligned, skin against skin.

My bird was demanding I mark her, but I knew it was too soon. This had already been a lot for one day.

She smiled against my lips, clearly pleased with herself.

"I don't think we saved any time showering together."

"Maybe not, but it was definitely a better start to the day."

She shook her head, but beamed up at me. And I knew it was time to return to the real world.

"Can I see you tonight after work?"

"If you have to."

"Why do you say it like that?"

"Because I'm already struggling to leave you, but know Patrick will have me on a plane heading home faster than my head will spin if I blow off another day."

I growled. "I won't let that happened."

"It's just a day of work. How hard can it be?"