“What you did just now was perfect. You let my wolf explore. You followed along, keeping me safe because I sure as heck couldn’t. She was scared of the stairs but not afraid of the river and I didn’t know if she could swim or not, but then she’s crossing the road and I could hear that motorcycle coming. I’ve got no way to make her safe. All I can do is watch for now, but I’ve got you keeping her, I mean me,us… safe. You know? I want you to keep doing that but like today, letting me explore. Let me be a wolf shifter, Jason.”
“I hear you, baby, I do. It’s my job to keep you safe. Always. Can we not talk about this right now? The idea of anyone setting eyes on you without your clothes makes me rage.”
“I want you to understand where I’m coming from.”
“And I want to not imagine anyone else with their eyes on you, Bailey.”
Her expression warms again. “Okay. Go up to my room and get me a robe and then I’ll go upstairs and pack up a couple more things and we can go back to your place.”
“Back home,” I correct, snapping more than I intend.
“Back home,” she agrees, about to let go of me so I pull her tight to my body.
“I love you,” I tell her.
Warmth seeps from her. I see it and feel it, which settles me. This is new and very convenient.
“I’ll deal with it when I have to. Today, I don’t have to and I don’t want to.”
She puts both hands on my neck, grazing her ink with her thumb, staring at it for a beat before her eyes meet mine again.
“Okay,” she says softly, before getting on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to mine in a quick kiss. “Go get me a robe.”
51
BAILEY
The Following Day
The only thing better than waking up the morning after being mated to Jason Creed is waking up yet again today feeling just as excited about my life.
Once again, I’m asleep on my tummy and he’s crashed practically on top of me. We both sleep on the same side of the bed. I guess neither of us has relented and retreated to the other side so far. And I kind of hope neither of us ever does.
After we went back to his place, or, I should sayourplace, we napped and then I accidentally burnt a lasagna that his family made and put in the freezer. In my defense, it’s half my fault, half Jase’s fault. I forgot to set a timer, but he’s the one who distracted me.
With his penis.
We peeled away the extra-crispy (black as tar) top layer, and it wasn’t a total loss. After dinner, we snuggled up on the couch planning to watch a movie, but he couldn’t keep his hands off me, so we didn’t see much of it. That’s okay. It wasThe Princess Bride, which I’ve seen no less than a hundred times.
I’m sore today. And I want to shift again. Because I want to and also because it dawned on me yesterday that the shift I’d done had eliminated all my virginity-removal related muscle pain.
Convenient! Shift+alt (ernatebody shape) and … delete!
If I had a brand-new book for every time over the years that I’d wished I could shift to delete an ache, pain, or ouchie like other citizens of our pack, I’d need another dozen bookshelves.
I’m still astonished I no longer need my eyeglasses. Heck, I’m more than astounded that I have a wolf! Shifting yesterday was incredible, but it still felt like I was locked behind a screen, simply watching a scene play out. I can’t wait to shift again today and see if there’s any difference. And also visit my parents. Because they didn’t get to meet my wolf yesterday.
I’m betting word has spread through the pack by now, especially given that my brother’s neighbor Claire saw my wolf. She’s a founding member of the Arcana Falls phone tree. Jase told me my wolf was still the size it was the night we mated. We’ll see if there’s any change today.
Today, there are a whole lot of supplies being delivered. And I’m excited to watch my hunky mate create bookshelves and make me a rolling ladder with his skilled, bare hands from my new pink reading chair. I wonder if he’s got popcorn here.
***
I’m sitting on the floor, a wood stain palette in my hand. But my eyes are on Jase. And they have been for a while.
“Surprised you’re not in your new chair, reading a book,” he says. “This is a process, babe. Gonna take time before there’s progress.”
“I like to watch you work.”