Damn. I haven’t had this strong a reaction to any female before—human or shifter. I move my hips, trying to lessen the pressure, but otherwise ignore the bulge down below, hoping she won’t look down and notice.
“I’m here to buy you that drink.” It’s a line. I’ve used them on women before, but I’m not usually so attached to the outcome. For some reason, it matters that she’ll say yes to me.
She hesitates, her gaze flicking to her friends, getting in their cars. They don’t notice that I’m here. They’re already back in their own little bubbles.
“Just one drink.” I switch on the charm, practicing that effect I mastered of making my interest seem casual, friendly, and non-threatening. It comes in handy on missions. I’m the guy they send in as distraction. I have a face people think they can trust, a face that hides the power and ferocity of the animal that lurks beneath the surface. It’s the opposite of the intimidating vibe my brother—our alpha—Rafe goes for. Or the giant, leather-clad Deke, our biggest pack member.
Of course, I’m not a threat. Not to Charlie.
Just to her panties.
Charlie considers me, wisps of her blonde bob falling across her face. She knows I want in said panties. I get the feeling she knows exactly what I am, minus the wolf part. I doubt I’m her type, but I’m familiar. She grew up on bases with guys like me all around her. So she’s thinking about it. It’s her birthday, after all. And after that foot rub, she probably knows that I can make her feel good.
She drags her plump lower lip through her teeth, debating. “One drink,” she agrees.
My wolf fist pumps the starry night sky. I touch her back lightly and lead her back into the restaurant, where we sit at the bar. She takes her turquoise puffy winter coat off. She’s in one of her graphic t-shirts under a cropped jacket. This one is of a rainbow unicorn dabbing. The shirt fits tight and small, accentuating her narrow waist and perky tits. She dressed the outfit up with a pair of high-heeled boots under her dark blue jeans.
I have to stop the wolf-like growl of approval that rises up in my throat.
The bartender is a pretty twenty-something with long red hair up in a ponytail. I make a mental note that she’s hot, and add her to my possibility list, but as soon as I have the thought, my wolf shuts it down.
Charlie, he growls.
Yeah, I know. I’m working on Charlie. The redhead would be for later.
My wolf still isn’t having it. Charlie’s peachy-pine scent is wreaking havoc on both of us. I want to skip the drinks and throw her up against the closest wall. Bury my cock so deep in her, she never looks at another man again.
Which is… inappropriate. I thought I was supposed to be the suave one. I’m feeling as feral as Deke was before he found Sadie.
“I’ll have a dirty martini,” Charlie tells the pretty bartender. I resist making an innuendo about the dirty part, especially when I see her gaze slide over to me like she’s waiting for it. Instead, I just wink. “Gray Goose and tonic for me.” I put my back to the bar, settling my full attention on Charlie. “Did you get a birthday treat tonight?” Okay, there might have been innuendo in that question.
Charlie’s gaze drops to my lips for a moment, like she’s considering where her treat might come from.
That’s right, beautiful. This mouth can make you scream.
“I, um, did, yes.” Her hands slow in the act of taking off her cropped jacket. I’ve flustered her. Or her own thoughts have. A light flush spreads up her neck. “The flourless chocolate torte. Adele, Tabitha, and Sadie helped me eat it.”
“Good,” I rumble. “Birthday girls should get all the treats.”
“Yes.” Her nipples are protruding through her t-shirt and bra. She’s picking up what I’m laying down. Our drinks come and Charlie takes a healthy sip from hers, like she’s trying to steady herself. Or maybe she’s dulling her resistance to me. I can scent her arousal. She knows what I’m offering and she wants it. She just isn’t sure yet if she’s going to let herself have it.
I don’t touch my drink. My mission is not even close to complete.
“Has it been a good one so far?”
“My birthday?” Charlie considers. “I had a nice morning, even though some guy came and belly flopped into the hot spring right next to me.” She’s teasing. Oh Fates, she’s teasing. That’s a good sign.
“Oops,” I deadpan. “What an asshole.”
“It’s okay, he made up for it,” she murmurs almost too low for me to hear.
I grin bigger. “Good. I’m sure he’ll never do it again. Of course, he might have noticed you were in there if you hadn’t hidden your clothes under a rock.”