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“What?” Meredith asked. “I think I see why you want to forgive him. Shit, how can abs like that bepossible?”
Parker cleared his throat. “Let’s focus on what we’re witnessing here, shall we, ladies? Don’t get sidetracked by… by… abs.” He huffed out a breath then sucked in his stomach. The man was in good shape as well, but Reardon knew regular humans weren’t capable of developing the muscles he had.
Reardon slid his jeans down his legs and stepped out of them. He left his boxers on then crouched to all fours, noting how Brandy’s eyes went to the bandage on his left calf, further evidence to suggest he and Alator were the same.
One moment he was a man on his hands and knees. The next he was a giant, black wolf, wagging his tail, hoping to project a friendly look instead of a big, bad look.
Meredith cupped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide and darting between Reardon’s wolf in the field and Brandy at her side.
“Well,” Parker said, his voice full of wonder, “he can actually do it.”
As Reardon approached, Brandy shared a quick version of what he’d told her at the police department. She ended with, “He’s even got a jagged ear like Alator does.”
He flicked that ear, and slowly, Parker reached out a hand and touched the ear. He jumped back a little as if he didn’t expect the wolf in front of him to be real.
“All the science I know just went poof.” Parker shot his hands out then let them flap down to his sides.
“This is not a matter of science.” Meredith crouched in front of Reardon and rubbed the scruff around his neck, eliciting a low growl of appreciation from him. She laughed. “This is a matter of believing in magic.” She stood and tugged on Parker’s arm. “C’mon, kid. I’ve got a bottle of Jack Daniels that goes perfectly with this kind of revelation.” She stopped by Brandy’s side. “I’ll make something to eat. I imagine shifting from man to wolf and back again works up a hunger.”
Meredith guided Parker back the way they’d come, but Parker paused.
“You feel safe around him, B?”
Reardon had to admire the man’s determination to keep Brandy secure.
“I do, Park. Go with Mom. Have that drink. We’ll chat later about how everything we know is wrong.”
“Shit, right?” He raked a hand through his hair and followed Meredith.
When they could no longer be seen, Brandy turned to him. “Your leg is still hurt from yesterday?” She pointed to his back left leg where the bandage had fallen off.
Reardon sat on his haunches and lifted that leg for inspection.
Brandy got to her knees and leaned forward, taking that limb in her hands and noting the stitching still visible. “It looks so much better than yesterday. Fast healing is part of this werewolf thing?”
He let out a short bark in reply.
“Okay.” Brandy chewed on her lower lip as she regarded him. “Change back so we can… talk.”
Reardon didn’t have to be asked twice. He shifted immediately, but stayed on all fours.
“Can you get my clothes? My leg hurts a bit more in human form.”
Brandy sprung into action, jogging to his pile of clothes and handing them to him. “For the record though, I prefer you naked.”
He let out a sound of male appreciation at that comment. “Likewise.” He dressed quickly and led Brandy over to a boulder. They both sat, their thighs touching in one, warm line that Reardon adored.
“Do you think I’ve scarred Meredith and Parker for life?” He took Brandy’s hand and laced his fingers with hers.
She studied their joined hands on his thigh. The fact that she made no attempt to free herself pleased him greatly.
“No. My mom called you magic and she’s got a special place in her heart for magic. She always said what she had with my dad was magic.” Brandy brought their hands up to her lips and dropped soft kisses along his knuckles. The sensation instantly hardened him and he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything. “And Parker will most likely have a thousand questions for you by the time we get back to the house. He’s very analytical and will want to know all the specifics of your ability.”
“And you?” Reardon hooked her hair behind her ear. “What do you think?”
“I think if you don’t kiss me right now, big boy, I might seriously lose it.”
She leaned forward and Reardon didn’t waste any time considering her request because he was dangerously close to losing it, too, if he didn’t taste her.
