Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
She sits and whines.
We’re in the yard now, nobody’s around, so I say, “You done for now or you want to stay like this for a while longer?”
There’s a tugging inside me and it’s a new sensation; it’s coming from Bailey.
Bailey’s wolf yawns and lies down, looking ready for a nap.
I squat and look her in the eyes. “Bailey, shift,” I command.
Immediately, the pup shifts to Bailey who instantly throws herself at me. I catch her, kissing her.
She pulls back far enough to look in my eyes and exclaim, “That. Was. Fucking. Epic!”
I press a kiss to her mate mark, not putting her down. “Fun?”
“So much fun!”
“Good, baby. Let’s get you inside. Get some clothes on before anybody sees you. Wonder where I should break in.” I look around.
“The inside door will be open, we can go through the garage,” she says.
“You stay here. I’ll go get you some clothes from your old room.”
“I’ll just–” she starts to say but I interrupt.
“Stay here.” I set her on her feet and grab cushions from two chairs. “Cover yourself with these.”
She laughs. “I’m not cold.”
“No, but you are naked. Take them.”
She accepts the cushions but asks, “So?”
I lean in. “I don’t want anyone looking at what’s mine.”
She smiles. “First, nobody’s around. I’m in a fenced yard. Second, I’m eventually going to run with other pack members. Eventually, I’ll be nude in front of folks, and it won’t be a bigger deal than anyone else being nude in front of everyone.”
I let out a frustrated growl.
She loops her arms around my neck. “Nobody will care, silly. But you are so sexy, Jason.”
“I’ll care,” I inform, irritated.
Her face changes. I don’t like the new expression.
“Bailey… don’t be upset with me. I can’t help how I feel.”
“Okay, but how about how I feel? I always felt different and not in a good way, especially after getting bullied.”
By my fucking sister. I clench my teeth.
Bailey keeps talking. “I wanted to be like everyone else and didn’t think it was possible. Especially not once everyone was shifting except me. And now I know that it is possible. Not just possible but probable. Can you appreciate that?”
I sigh.
She adds, “I’m not saying I’m looking to shake what my momma gave me in public intentionally, Jase. I’m telling you I want to be like any other pack member. Shifting. Running. Being in touch with my wolf. I want to know my wolf. I want to synch up with her. And if that means occasionally being without my clothes for a few minutes before getting back into them like every other shifter around here, then it should not be a big deal.”
“It’s too soon after our mating for me to fathom anyone setting eyes on your naked body.”
“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.