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First, I’d spent half the morning in the hydro tank, in both human and shifted forms, and then, after a lunch break, I’d spent the afternoon running up and down ramps and working on the agility course at the park in my human form.

I’d only stumbled once, and I’d thought that considering my progress we’d be done for the day. But then Hunter had taken me back to the gym and coached me through a full workout—and then he’d produced a shiny new ladder and challenged me to make it to the top.

“How do you even own a ladder?” I’d asked.

He’d shrugged. “I got it at Marden’s. You gonna climb it?”

And I had.

It had been touch and go and taken a bunch of tries, and I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to do it again, but I’d done it. I’d been heavily motivated by the text I’d gotten from Harvey asking if I’d be back at work on Monday, with the underlying implication that I’d better be.

And I got it. He had a business to run and clients to keep happy, and he was a decent enough boss, current circumstances aside. I liked working for him, and I wanted to keep my job.

But I was also motivated by the desire to stop being Hunter’s client and start being his boyfriend.

And now the stairs were the last hurdle in my battle with my shifter brain.

You can do this.

It was three tiny steps. If I could just get my left foot to move, then I could claim victory and we could celebrate—possibly with blow jobs.

Apparently, that was enough motivation to get my muscles to cooperate. I ran up the last three stairs at roughly the speed of light, and when I took that final step you’d better believe I jogged around that landing and waved my arms like Rocky Balboa.

Hunter took the steps two at a time, and when he reached me, he picked me up and spun me around, his face lighting up. “Fantastic work!”

He set me down, still beaming like he’d won first prize in the lottery, and I grinned back at him. And then, still riding on the high of my success, I decided that there was no better time to ask.

I took a deep breath and said, “I guess I won’t be your client for much longer.”

“I guess not.” A shadow passed over Hunter’s face, a cloud momentarily blotting out the sun.

I blinked. Was he disappointed? Because if so, that was good news for me and my plans to ask him out. Feeling bold, I reached out and took his hand. “So does that mean you’ll go on a date with me?”

CHAPTER 12

HUNTER

Fuck.

This was what I got for fooling around with a client.

Luke was watching me, his expression bright as he waited for an answer.

And I should have said no straightaway—except I didn’t want to. Luke was smart and funny and sexy as hell, and the chemistry between us was sizzling. If he hadn’t been a werewolf, I would have taken him up on his offer in a flash.

But I’d learned my lesson. I knew only too well that we might work just fine as a hookup, but as soon as we started dating, he’d turn into a possessive jerk. So as much as I hated to do it, I was going to have to say no.

I hesitated, trying to find the words to let him down gently. But it turned out that the silence stretching between us was all the answer he needed. The hopeful smile slipped from his face, and before I could say anything, he shook his head. “Never mind. I just figured I might as well shoot my shot, but forget it.”

He turned his back on me and fumbled with the keys to his apartment, swinging the door open and disappearing inside. The door slammed in my face, which was when I remembered that I was still staying there.

This wasn’t going to be awkward at all.

I followed him into the apartment. “Luke?”

“Shower,” he called, and I heard the water start up.

I followed the trail of sweaty, discarded workout clothes to the bathroom door and stood there for a second, trying to figure out what was different. Then it struck me.