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“Sure,” I said, nerves creeping back into my good mood. It wasn’t so much that I was scared of what would happen here. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what daunted me. Part of me just didn’t love the idea of having to go everywhere with an alpha escort.
All the same, I waited until Cole came back and opened my door for me, offering me a hand to help me out of the sedan.
I took it and got out of the car, stretching my arms above my head and rolling my shoulders. “Ugh, it wasn’t even that long of a drive, and I already feel stiff.”
“Maybe we could think of a way to loosen you up,” Cole murmured, his lips right by my ear.
I rolled my eyes and swatted his chest. He laughed, catching my hand before I could withdraw it completely. “Does this mean you’re ready to tell me what claiming is?” I teased.
“Careful, sweetheart. We’re surrounded by a strange pack, and wolves have excellent hearing.”
That was a no.
Jerk.
My brother and Travis approached us, and sure enough, Jack practically squealed in delight. “Marley, remind me to swipe right on more shifters. These houses are fucking cute.”
“You know we don’t all come with furnished houses, right?” Cole asked dryly.
“Well, I’ll just have to swipe right on the correct ones, then,” Jack said with a shrug before making his way to the house he’d be staying in with Travis.
I looked up at Cole. “Should we bring the bags in now?”
“Let’s check the place out first,” he replied.
The house was adorable. It had an open, airy floor plan with pretty, pale blue paneling and white molding. The décor was mostly beach-themed, giving it a comforting ambiance that reminded me of home. There were wood floors, an ample kitchen with new fixtures, and more than enough places to sit and work if needed.
A narrow set of stairs led to the sleeping quarters—a loft-style room with the largest bed I’d ever seen and no shortage of lounging furniture. Chaises, sofas, cushioned seats, and ottomans were arranged around the space.
The en suite bathroom was nearly half the size of the huge sleeping quarters. The most notable features were the separate shower and bath, each almost twice the size of the sizable ones Cole had in the beach house.
“Holy hell,” I said, peeking around the door. “Do they think we’re going to be entertaining in the bathroom?”
Cole came up behind me to scan the bathroom. “They’re sized so you can shower or bathe while shifted. I have a few clients who prefer to bathe in their lycan form.”
“Do you like to do that?”
“I haven’t really tried it, except for out in the wild.” He shrugged. “Lakes, rivers, that sort of thing.”
I tapped my lips with a finger, wondering what it would be like to bathe with Cole while he was in his lycan form. It sounded almost cozy and comfortable. I wondered if he’d want to try it while we were here or if it would be offensive of me to ask it of him. I opted to keep that idea to myself for now. If it came up naturally, I’d bring it up.
I turned my attention back to Cole, who was now settling into one of the larger pieces of lounging furniture. I plopped down next to him, and he pulled me in tight, wrapping me in his arms and peppering the top of my head with sweet, adoring kisses. When I looked up at him, he was giving me a lazy smile.
“What is that smile for?” I asked.
His grin took on a bit of an edge before he pulled me onto his lap and kissed me deeply. “Awful big bed over there,” he said softly.
“It sure is.”
“Big enough for a heinous sex act,” he said, then laughed at the angry pout that formed on my face.
“You’re exceptionally cruel,” I said. “If you keep it up, I’m not going to tell you my theories on claiming.”
“Theories? You have more than one?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that I spent the rest of the drive over here pondering what it could be.”
“Well, you have to tell me now.”
