Rough (Wolf Ranch 1)

“Among other responsibilities.”

“You picked the right field.”

“How so?”

I leaned on my elbow to consider my words. It seemed important I get this right, and I was out of my element. “I imagine you bring a lot of joy into this world.”

Her smile burst open like a blooming flower, and my chest warmed. She leaned forward, and the intense pleasure I experienced at having her full attention made it easy not to succumb to the temptation of looking down at her sweet cleavage. “That’s exactly why I love my job. Every baby is a tiny miracle. I feel so honored to help usher them into the world.”

I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “It was probably best that the rodeo guys you helped didn’t know you treat pregnant women and deliver babies. Might hurt their big egos.”

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say because her smile dimmed, and she pulled her hand back. I tried to figure out what I’d said wrong, but it then became apparent.

“Remember, you can’t go back to the rodeo until you’ve had a full physical.” She drew a breath like she was going to continue on her lecture, but I interrupted.

“I may not go back.” I scratched the back of my neck, eyed the guy who was riding the mechanical bull, then looked back at her. “I’m, ah, hoping I find a reason to stay.”

Her eyes widened, and those full lips parted. Then her gaze dropped to her bottle of water, and she took a hasty drink, the droplets dribbling down her chin. “That’s laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?” she muttered.

Reaching out, I wiped the water away with my thumb. “Let me show you around, Audrey. Tomorrow.”

“Is that code for something?”

I shook my head. “No, Doc. I want to spend time with you.” I leaned in, so only she could hear my next words. “With our pants on. Maybe I got a little hasty at the barn, but I won’t apologize. I really want to know you better. Is that so strange?”

She met my gaze and finished off her water. “Um, I guess not.” Her gaze dropped again. “I work early tomorrow for a few scheduled patients, but I’m free after two, unless someone goes into labor.”

I couldn’t stop the giant smile from stretching across my face. Relief was swift, and my wolf practically high fived me. “Great. I’ll see you then. Maybe you should get home and get some rest if you’re working early.”

She peered up at me like she was trying again to decide if I was speaking in code but then slid off the bar stool. I stepped back to give her room. “Yes, I think I’m ready to drive.”

“I’ll follow you home, just to be sure you make it safely.”

Understanding dawned on her face, followed by a little smirk and flick of her brows. She didn’t believe me. Dammit. I wanted to have sex with her. Now. Later. Anytime. All the time. But it wasn’t going to happen tonight. It couldn’t.

Trouble was, my dick had already leaped into painful action. No, that wasn’t the real trouble. The real trouble was that I wasn’t going to get him into the action. For once, I was thinking with my big head not my little one. My dick could get hard for Karen—what conscious male’s wouldn’t—but my mind only wanted Audrey, and that was a first.

My dick would stay in my pants, at least until tomorrow.

Tomorrow, once we’d had some time to get to know each other, all bets were off. I’d get to know all kinds of things about her, like if the back of her knees were an erogenous zone. If her nipples were really sensitive. If she liked to be on top or if she liked the nice deep thrust taking it from behind could give her.

I escorted her outside and into her car, then climbed in my truck and followed her home. I wasn’t going to get out of the truck. It was a bad idea. But the gentleman in me couldn’t stand not jumping out to open her door and help her out of the car.

Unfortunately, the moon was waxing, and my wolf made it hard to contain my lust for her. Her sweet scent being kicked up on the evening breeze didn’t help for shit.

“Wow,” she breathed staring up at me. “Your eyes almost glow in the moonlight.”

Fuck.

I blinked rapidly and looked away. “Do they?” I made a sound somewhere between a cough and a laugh. “Weird.”

Tell her, my wolf whispered.

That was a crazy fucking idea because telling her was forbidden. Rob wanted me to stick close to her, so we’d know if she suspected the truth, not to tell it to her outright.

Then again, mating her would be a giveaway, too, and I was already on board with that.