“Fuck yes, and I still want to, have wanted to every goddamn day!” I’m surprised at how happy I am to say those words and even more surprised at how happy I am that she needed to hear them. Her features have smoothed out some, and a faint smile has taken over her lips. The sight relaxes me, and I wish I hadmore time to soak it in. But, the oven timer goes off, reminding me I need to get going.
“Moll, it’s just been a shitty week.” I come around the counter to stand in front of her. “With a situation that’s monopolized my time, and I’m sorry I didn’t see how it was affecting you. I guess I’m still getting used to thinking of someone else.” I place a hand on her hip, like I’m trying to anchor us both. “But Iwillbe home early tonight, and we’ll spend some time together. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers back with a nod.
“In fact…” I venture on before I can stop myself, ready to get stared at weird or smacked. “I think tonight we should take our clothes off. See what happens.” I stare her down, not because I’m oh so proud of how that came out but because if I don’t know her reaction the moment she makes it, I might die of shame.
“Okay.” Her eyes sparkle with relief or happiness. I’ll take either.
“Okay.” I lean in and say, “Now gimme your goddamn lips this time.”
A small giggle bursts free from her mouth as she does what she’s told.
22
WOLF
Kissing Molly on the lips was where my morning peaked, unfortunately. On my first patrol of the day, I came across two more of those fucking traps I thought I’d rid my assigned zone of. Thankfully, they were empty of any animals, but some fuck has a sadistic streak a mile thick they need to be relieved of. Add to that, the damn cougar is still toying with us. Plenty of reports of sightings, but none of capture. Asking Forest if I can cut out for the evening should be fun.
I hop out of the truck and head straight to the front door, blazing a steady trail to the main office where Forest mostly sets up shop. He runs our small family squad mainly from behind his desk apart from morning and afternoon rounds. I give a quick knock on the doorframe before strolling right in and getting comfortable in one of the chairs across from the desk.
“What’s up?” he asks, looking between two different pieces of paper in his hands.
“I know we’ve got a lot going on, but I was wondering if I could cut out early today,” I request, getting right to it.
He blows out a breath. “Not like you. Everything all right?”
“Yeah—no, well…just…things at home need my…attention,” I stammer through an on-the-fly explanation.
“Trouble in paradise?” He still hasn’t looked up.
“Yeah, you can say that, and anyway I just need to uh, spend some time with Molly tonight.”
“What kind of time?” He peers at me over one of the papers, his eyebrow raised.
I simply glare at him.
Forest’s face turns smug. “Got it. Yeah, the rest of us can handle this evening—none of this shit’s going anywhere.” He throws the papers down with a flutter and sits back with his hands behind his head. “So how can the God of the Bed Sheets prepare you for tonight?”
“What makes you think I need sex advice?”
“Because you sought out communication and your mouth is moving,” he says with widened eyes and a dubious quality to his tone. “That can only mean you need something, and seeing as how you mentioned your need for some hours off I’m assuming you’re ready to bed your wife tonight. I took a shot in the dark.”
“Can you talk like you’re in this century, please?”
“And could you not deflect when you’re requesting my time?” He waves between the mess of papers on his desk and the still frame of the cock-blocking mountain lion on the trail cam that occupies his monitor screen.
“Fine,” I say, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Anyway, I’m not asking about mechanics, just a few helpful tips will do.”
“Well hopefully your own tip will be helpful.” River swings his upper body inside the office, gripping the frame and shooting us a triumphantly cocky look.
“Fuck off!” Forest and I both growl and River disappears again.
Forest reclines back in his chair, holding his hands out. “The best helpful…hint I can offer you is to do what feels natural,” he imparts.
“What the fuck?” Hawk practically jumps into the room.
“Great spirits take me now,” I plead under my breath, propping an elbow on the arm of the chair so I can rub a hand over my eyes.
