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“I think that making new friends is just what Mom will need for when she gets back. Especially your mom, who I think will know a little of what she’s going through, and who’s a shifter and understands so much that…” She faltered. “That humans…don’t.” She looked up, meeting my gaze. “Mom hasn’t had a pack, either. At least, not as long as she and Dad were married. I think I might have already told you. They only had each other. She’ll need friends and people she can depend on.”
I nodded. I got what she was saying. Everyone needed people just for them.
And for Jo’s mom, those people couldn’t just be Jo. She had a lot of other shit going on, and a business to wrangle under control. It was obvious she’d be there for her mom no matter what, but hopefully my actions had made things a little easier for everyone — even if she’d arrived here to tell me to mind my own business.
“They’ll have their own large suites on the cruise,” I said. “They won’t need to live in each other’s pockets. But they can be there together if they choose. I just want them to enjoy themselves and unwind. It’s the least both of them deserve. They’ve both spent their whole lives caring for their families. I figure we can repay some of that now.” I shrugged, Jo’s head bobbing against my shoulder as I made the movement. “And I have another ulterior motive.”
“Oh?” Her tone was dry, and she laughed.
“Yeah. A lot has happened recently.” A low growl rumbled through my chest and my jaw tightened. “And I’m ready to spill some blood over it. But I don’t want any blowback on our parents. They’re better somewhere safe and out of the way. Oblivious.”
“Blood? But why?” Her tone suggested she genuinely didn’t understand, but the alpha in me wouldn’t settle for less.
“My wolf demands it,” I said. “Hell,Idemand it.” I bit my lip as I considered how much more to say. Then my wolf pushed and I no longer had a choice. Words spilled from me. “I want you in ways I’ve never wanted anyone else.” I laughed without humor. “I thought I’d never be capable of caring for someone so much. I thought I had actualfeelingslocked down tight. But something inside me keeps telling me to trust you. My wolf wants to protect you, and it doesn’t have anything to do with a business deal.”
23
JOSEPHINE
His words wrapped around me and squeezed like an abrupt hug. No one had ever said such incredible things to me before.
I wanted to hear him say more things. Use more words. I wanted to hear him saying things and using words and telling me how wonderful I was.
But I also didn’t have time for any of that. I only wanted him.
Before I could even think about it, I lifted myself on my tiptoes, grabbed the back of his head, and pulled him down so our mouths would crash together.
Sudden desperation fueled me. I had to be closer to him, I had to have him. I pressed against him, aligning our bodies as I wound my arms around his neck and steadied our kiss, shaping my lips to his, flicking my tongue out to seek the inside of his mouth.
After a frozen moment, he responded, his answering kisses almost feverish.
He ran his hands down my back until they arrived under my ass. He lifted me in his arms before sitting me on his desk and moving to stand between my legs, nudging them apart to make room for himself.
He broke our kiss and grinned down at me, his smile all wolf now, the predator who’d just caught his prey.
I hadn’t run, though. I’d sacrificed myself to him willingly, catching him first, even. Running straight into his arms.
He reached out and pressed a button on his desk, and the glass wall that looked out onto the Apex hallway became instantly opaque.
We were alone.
He skimmed his hands up the outside of my thighs, then pushed my skirt up, bunching it at my waist.
“How inconvenient,” he murmured as he grazed his fingers of the fabric of my panties. Then my panties were gone, and cool air brushed over my clit.
I gripped his upper arms, and he chuckled.
“You don’t want it?”
I released him, uncurling my fingers, although I didn’t answer. I did want it.
He nodded. “That’s better.” Then he dropped to his knees in front of me and kissed the inside of my left thigh.
I sighed as I put my hands on the desk surface behind me, supporting myself as his tongue slid over my skin.
He teased me. Kissing so close to my clit, but never quite there. I pressed my hips forward, seeking him, and he drew away.
“Wait, greedy girl,” he whispered. “I’m going to take care of you.”
