Page 16 of His Lucky Charm

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Academically, this is the discovery of a lifetime. Proof of the supernatural, of magic, of an entire hidden species living among us. It could redefine multiple fields of study.”

Rafferty’s face remained carefully neutral, but I could see tension in the set of his shoulders. “And personally?”

That was the real question, wasn’t it? What did this mean for us—for whatever was growing between us?

“Personally?” I set aside the notebook, reaching for his hand. “I’m still processing. This is… a lot. But I know that what I feel for you hasn’t changed. If anything, knowing all of you only makes me want to know more.”

Relief softened his features. “Even the furry parts?”

“Even those.” I squeezed his hand. “Though I have several follow-up questions about the mechanics of transformation that I expect detailed answers to.”

His laugh was the booming one I’d grown so fond of. “Of course you do. The man discovers werewolves are real and immediately wants to know the scientific particulars.”

“I’m an academic,” I reminded him primly. “Thoroughness is my professional obligation.”

“Well, Professor,” he said, setting aside his coffee mug and shifting closer on the bed, “how about we start with some hands-on research?”

His intent was clear in the heat of his gaze, the way his hand moved to rest on my thigh over the sheets. Despite the gravity of our conversation, desire pooled low in my stomach.

“That would be… methodologically sound,” I managed, voice embarrassingly breathless.

Rafferty grinned, all teeth and predatory intent. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Chapter 9

In one smooth motion, Rafferty pulled back the sheets covering me, eyes darkening at the sight of my naked form. I’d been too exhausted to bother with pajamas after my night of frantic note-taking.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, large hands sliding up my thighs. “Every inch of you.”

I should have felt self-conscious under his intense scrutiny, but something about Rafferty had always made me feel desired rather than exposed. That feeling intensified now, knowing what he was—the power contained in that seemingly human form.

“You’re staring,” he observed, thumbs tracing maddening circles on my inner thighs. “Seeing me differently now?”

“A bit,” I admitted. “It’s rather extraordinary, knowing what you really are.”

His expression flickered. “This is what I really am, Eliot.” He gestured to his human form. “The wolf is part of me, but this—the man sitting here with you—this is just as real.”

I reached out to touch his face, stubble rough against my palm. “I know. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”

He turned to press a kiss to my palm. “Good. Because while the wolf wants to claim you, mark you, make you his—it’s the man who’s falling for you.”

The confession stole my breath. “Rafferty—”

“Too soon?” His smile was self-deprecating. “Werewolves don’t do casual well, I’m afraid. When we find someone who fits us, who calls to both sides of our nature… we tend to fall hard and fast.”

“Is that what’s happening? I’m… what, your werewolf soulmate?” Despite the teasing tone, my heart raced at the implication.

“We call it a mate-bond,” he said, suddenly serious. “It’s rare, especially with humans. But not unheard of.”

“And you think that’s what this is? Between us?”

His eyes flashed gold momentarily—a reminder of his dual nature. “I know it is. Have since that first day. Why do you think I kept dropping things whenever you were near? You quite literally made me clumsy.”

I remembered his strange behavior those first days—the “accidents” that always seemed to happen around me, the way he’d found excuses to touch me, to be near me. “That wasn’t just flirting? It was… wolf instinct?”

“Both.” His hand moved higher on my thigh, dangerously close to where I was rapidly hardening under his attention. “The human wanted to flirt. The wolf wanted to roll around in your scent until everyone knew you were mine.”

The possessiveness in his voice should have alarmed me. Instead, it sent heat coursing through my veins. “That’s… primally flattering.”