“If that smile is any indication, last night was as good for you as it was for me.” She heard the deep voice rumble beside her as he stroked up and down her side with his large hand. She opened her eyes and looked into the green ones staring at her. He was propped up with pillows, and his arm was draped around her.
“How long have you been up?” Samantha nibbled at her lower lip.
“Not too long. Fifteen minutes maybe.”
“Were you staring at me while I slept?”
“Not in a creepy way.” Samantha felt Jason’s laugh rumble in his chest where she lay against him. “You know you make the cutest little noises in your sleep?”
“I do not snore!”
“No, it’s not snoring, more of an exhalation of air. It’s rather endearing, actually.” The smile he sent her way was filled with such warmth and emotion, Samantha couldn’t hold on to her anger.
“Oh. I’m not sure what to say to that. Somehow ‘thank you’ doesn’t sound right.” Her anger had drained, but that didn’t mean she was above indulging in a little pouting. Jason laughed again and leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips. He briefly tightened his hand on her hip before releasing her with a groan.
“I wish we could spend all day like this. I would call in sick, but Laurie already warned me she’d have my head if you didn’t come in today. However…” Jason trailed off as his hand ran up her side and cupped her breast. He leaned down to sniff at her neck. “You’re kind of smelly.”
Samantha froze. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t even step outside smelling like that. Almost the whole town has increased sense of smell, you know. I think it would probably be best if you showered here. And just to be safe, I’ll help. I’ll make sure you wash–” Jason’s hand resting on her breast began to twist and pinch her nipple. “–everywhere.”
Samantha laughed long and hard, finally onto his game. Jason whined beside her and sent her his best puppy-dog look, causing Samantha to laugh harder. It wasn’t until she felt him cup her mound and press a finger inside her that her eyes opened wide and stared up into his questioning gaze. “You do make a convincing argument.”
The grin he sent her was positively wolfish.
Chapter 9
She was late for work. Samantha ran inside expecting to get flack for being late, but Laurie sent her a knowing look and a wicked smile before going back to work. If Samantha had learned anything the past week, she knew that look meant she wasn’t in trouble, but she had no doubt Laurie would tease her all day long.
Samantha couldn’t be upset, though. Last night had been much more than she expected, so much more than she had imagined possible. Being around Jason made her feel sexy and desirable and downright wanton. She’d never felt wanton before, but she decided she rather liked it.
The only dark thought marring her morning was the depth of the attachment she felt toward Jason. She tried to tell herself they were only having fun but, looking back, she had been kidding herself since the beginning. Everything in her was drawn to him. He made her laugh and made her fox want to curl up against him and settle in. But settling in was dangerous. She had to keep reminding herself of the facts. Getting comfortable was dangerous. She knew he couldn’t be interested in more than a casual relationship with her. He was the Premier of the pack and therefore would have his pick of the alpha females, and would most likely choose the strongest to mate with.
She wondered if she should end things before they got too serious. It was the logical choice, but her fox cried at the thought. Samantha couldn’t break things off, but she could try and shield her heart as much as possible. She’d enjoy Jason for however long he was willing to give her, but she’d never tell him how deeply she felt. By hiding the depth of her emotions, she would at least retain her pride, even though her heart might be a lost cause, because the more she thought about it, the more she realized it was already his.
The day passed by fairly quickly and by closing time, Samantha was tired, hungry and desperately needed a shower to wash off Jason’s scent. As the day wore on, she had to endure countless comments from the other shifters who came in to get coffee and obviously smelled Jason on her skin. The more subtle of the pack had winked at her or gave her a knowing look, but she also had to endure the females of the pack who made snide comments to her. Samantha’s head throbbed with the beginnings of a headache.
Jason paused in the entrance of Books and Crannies. He softened as he gazed at Samantha puttering behind the coffee bar. She really was beautiful, a soft and feminine beauty that made him want to pull her into his embrace and nuzzle her neck. What affected him more than that, though, was her caring and giving nature.
He frowned as he saw her tilt her head to one side and massage her neck. Ethan mentioned something had been bothering her earlier when he had come in for a cup of coffee, but Jason hadn’t thought too much about it. When he dropped Samantha off this morning, she had kissed him passionately and smiled before hurrying inside.
Jason shook his head and strode toward the counter. Samantha opened her eyes and despite the weariness Jason could sense, a smile lit up her face. He loved how open she was with her emotions.
Jason leaned over the counter and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
“How was your day, baby?”
“Better now. How was yours?” She rolled her shoulder as she spoke.
“What’s wrong with your neck and shoulder?”
“Oh it’s nothing. Just a small headache.”
“Have you taken anything?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll take something later.”
Jason came around the counter and pulled Samantha flush against him. His lips pressed against her temple and he stood there for a moment savoring the feel and scent of her in his arms.
“Let me take care of you, little heart. How ’bout we order some Chinese food and I give you a back massage while we wait for it?”
“That sounds heavenly.” Samantha breathed out as she clutched his shirt and nuzzled his chest.
“Aw, isn’t this cute,” a snide female voice sounded behind them. Samantha jumped and tried to hide her face against him. “Jason, shouldn’t you be dealing with real women? I can make you forget this nobody even exists.”
“Cynthia!” Jason exclaimed, shocked by such rudeness from one of his pack mates. “What the hell is wrong with you? Apologize.” Jason’s voice deepened with the force of his command. Cynthia flinched at the authority in his voice as if receiving a blow.
“Sorry, I guess.”
As far as apologies went, it was pretty lame. Jason was on the verge of commanding a better one when Laurie joined them.
“Get out of my store.” Jason had never heard Laurie’s voice sound so cold.
Samantha tried to pull away from Jason’s grasp, but he held firm and turned to look at his sister as she spoke. “Jason, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute before you drag Samantha away.” There was an odd gleam in Laurie’s eyes. Whatever she wanted to discuss, Jason had a feeling he wasn’t going to be happy.
“Samantha, why don’t you run up to your apartment and grab a change of clothes and anything else you need for the night. You won’t need any pajamas,” Jason murmured in her ear before she could pull away. Her smile dazzled him, but Jason could see the sadness lurking behind her eyes.
Jason turned to Laurie as Samantha left. She eyed him shrewdly. “Listen, I hope you’re as serious about Samantha as I think you are.”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business, Laurie. I appreciate you looking out for her, but what’s between Samantha and me doesn’t concern you.”