“Sully,” the quokka offered his name. A cute name, too.
“Yeah, could you get Sully something else to wear. His clothes are ruined. I’ll give him a ride back into town.”
I needed him out of my house immediately. He was too tempting, but I had three reasons to deny what he claimed. A mate like him would draw far too much attention.
“Okay.” Rowan kept glancing between us. His magic stayed at bay, which I was grateful for. Sully hadn’t tried to pick up his scent, a small miracle.
“Thanks,” I said in a soft voice, not showing the strain of having this too sweet shifter near me. Everything about this sucked.
“What’s your name?” Sully asked when Rowan left us alone.
“That’s nothing you need to know. I take it you live in town?”
He wasn’t in the least bit offended at my rudeness. “Yeah. I work at the hotel. I’m not long back from college.”
Okay, so he hadn’t been lying, he was twenty-two like he said. I wondered vaguely what he’d studied, and if he’d gotten his degree. The pull to him was so strong! Wasn’t like I could ask him anything since it would suggest I was interested in him.
“Great. I’ll take you home,” I repeated. “Or do you have a car I can take you to?”
“Scooter.”
“We can put it in the back of my truck.”
“Do I really not get to know your name?” he asked with a sexy pout.
“No.”
Rowan returned quickly with a t-shirt and sweatpants more likely to fit Sully’s lean form than they would my taller and wider frame, meaning they were his. I didn’t like the thought of my mate in another guy’s clothes, but it was better than giving anything of mine.
“Here,” he handed my things over, phone and my keys. I was grateful he didn’t say my name. “I’ll watch Sandy and Berry until you come back.”
I ruffled his hair. “Go back to bed at least. Even if you don’t sleep, try to rest.”
“Okay.”
Sully tried to hide his interest in what we were talking about as he put on the borrowed clothes. He followed me out to my truck once he’d dressed, unable to delay any longer. I noticed he was limping, except I didn’t comment on it. He was mobile enough to get outside without help.
“Have you lived here long?” Sully put on his seatbelt, not acting at all bothered that a predator shifter had found him asleep and vulnerable in a bush then had a wild night of sex with the same guy.
“A little over a week. Do you always go shifting in the woods at night? This isn’t the first time you’ve wandered into my territory.” I turned the truck onto the dirt path out to the road.
He blushed. “I… it’s against the rules—“
“To go into the woods alone. Which is why I asked.”
“Huh, so you know the town rules?”
“Yeah, I’ve been made aware. Got one of those inhibitor thingys.”
“You don’t sound like you’re a fan of the town?”
“Astute, aren’t you? No, I’m not. Look, let’s find your stuff and get you home.” We made itto the main road and I pulled onto it, heading towards Haenvale.
“Oh, there!” Sully pointed at a copse of trees. The one I’d found myself staring at a time or two. I stopped the truck and hopped out to get the scooter and helmet. I put them in the truck bed easily, then returned to the driver’s seat. “Thank you for this. My house is just over that side.” He directed me further into the town.
We were quiet for a moment. His scent was everywhere. I wished he’d put his inhibitor back on. I could see it poking out the pocket of his jeans on his lap.
“Are those your kids? Do you have a mate? Is that why you won’t tell me your name? Is that why we can’t bond?” Sully fiddled with the hem of the borrowed t-shirt.
