Rafe
I turned onto Foxglove Lane, wondering if I was being an idiot. I’d spent the last several hours in wolf form, running underneath the full moon. It was a pleasure that I allowed myself rarely, since I usually felt worse afterward—as if being in that form reminded me of my lost pack.
But with the full moon and the sight of Isobel still in my mind, I’d needed the run. Anything to release the tension that bound me up tightly whenever I saw her. She threatened my hard-won peace, and I really couldn’t afford to lose what little serenity I had.
Of course, I had my meeting with the Jade Sorceress soon, so hope was on the horizon. With any luck, I’d have answers about my pack. That kept me going. Kept me sane.
When I’d returned home from my run about half past midnight and she hadn’t been home, I’d realized she’d probably stayed out beyond the time that the cab ran. So I’d hopped in my car and driven into town like a lovesick fool.
Or maybe I was just being a decent roommate. I didn’t want to live with her, but I also didn’t want her stuck in town on a chilly autumn night. As I pulled up to the wine bar, I saw two figures walking toward the side street. Both wore dresses, and one was unmistakably Isobel. Even if she weren’t the most captivating person I’d ever seen, my wolf would have recognized her.
She must have heard my car approaching because she looked over her shoulder. I pulled up beside them and rolled down the window.
“Rafe?” She frowned at me. “What are you doing here?”
“Um.” This was the part where I felt like an idiot. “It got late, and I realized you weren’t home.”
“Oh, and you remembered the cab wouldn’t be running!” the woman next to her said. “How thoughtful!”
“Very thoughtful.” Isobel sounded a bit suspicious, and I couldn’t blame her.
“So, do you want that ride?” I asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” She turned to Holly. “Thanks anyway.”
“Sure thing.” Holly smiled. “And don’t forget that offer about joining the coven.”
The idea of her joining the local coven was a new one. It would make her life here more permanent. Not that it already wasn’t. She had a house, for fate’s sake, and even though it was in bad shape, she was determined to change that. I wanted her out of the boathouse, but if she moved up the hill, she wouldn’t be going that far. I didn’t think I could survive having her so close.
Isobel walked to the passenger door and climbed in. Immediately, her honeysuckle scent enveloped me. I inhaled deeply, unable to help myself, and hoped she didn’t notice.
“Thanks again,” she said as I turned the car around and headed toward home.
“Sure.” I shot her a sideways glance. “But don’t get used to it. I’m not doing it again.”
“All right, Grumpy Pants.”
I rolled my eyes and repressed the smile that tugged at my lips. We rode in silence to the boathouse, but that was somehow worse. I could hear the faint sound of her breathing, and it was enough to drive me to distraction.
We arrived, and I climbed out, grateful to have the space and fresh air. It didn’t last long, however. When I went to push open the door to the boathouse, I found it locked. Isobel, who must have expected me to open it and walk right through, bumped into me. She made a startled noise and stumbled backward.
I spun, gripping her shoulders gently to keep her from falling.
“Sorry.” She looked up at me, so beautiful in the moonlight that it made my heart clench. “I thought it would be unlocked.”
“Me, too.” My voice came out huskier than it should have, but who could blame me? Her scent was wrapping around me again, and the warmth of her bare skin beneath my hands made me burn. There was just something about her that stole every rational thought from my mind. She was intoxicating, and the tension that bound us together was delicious.
“Rafe?” she whispered, putting a hand to my chest. It burned into me. Her gaze was even worse—luminous and all-seeing, piercing my soul in a way that left me laid bare.
“Yeah?” I looked down at her lips, full and soft, and something tightened within me. I desperately wanted to kiss her. From the way she tilted her mouth up toward mine and licked her bottom lip, I was fairly sure she wanted me to. Comingled regret and relief tugged at me as I said, “You’ve had some drinks. We shouldn’t.”
She smiled. “You’re worried about my consent?”
“You don’t exactly like me.”
“Oh, I like you just fine. It’s you who doesn’t like me.”
Right now, that was patently untrue.
“I took a sober-up potion,” she said, stepping closer. “But considering how much you dislike me, I should be worried about your consent.”
Dislike her? I could never.
I liked her far too much. Wanted her far too much. She looked delicious in the moonlight, all creamy skin and luscious pink lips. The sight, the scent, the closeness of her made me want to taste every inch of her.
It was more than I could bear.
Unable to stop myself, I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. She was impossibly soft, tasting of wine and strawberries. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I pulled her closer, pressing the full length of her body against mine.
The feel of her was enough to make my head spin, and she kissed me with a passion that stunned me. One second, she was sweeping her tongue over my lips, and the next, she was pulling away and gasping.
“I don’t even like you,” she said.
“I don’t like you, either.” Lie. But I shouldn’t like her. And kissing her like this was a terrible idea. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have.” I stepped away from her and turned to open this door.
This time, after a bit of a push, it opened. It hadn’t been locked at all—which would have made no sense, since I hadn’t locked it—but rather had just been stuck.
Before she could say anything, I disappeared into my room like the coward I was.
Chapter
Thirteen
Isobel
I dreamed of the kiss. How could I not? It was the single most incredible physical experience of my life. Nothing with Tommy could have ever compared. Rafe was just so overwhelmingly physical, with his strength and height and beauty.
And he was an incredible kisser. I’d felt like the center of his world, and the pleasure that had rushed through me had been like nothing I’d ever experienced before. He’d swept me away, making me lose all rational thought as I’d disappeared into the kiss. I’d forgot where I was—hell, I’d almost forgot who I was. Every part of me had been focused on him and the feeling of his mouth on mine, of his strong hands around my waist. As soon as I’d realized how far I’d lost myself, I’d panicked.
I don’t even like you.
My words echoed in my head. They had been a lie. It didn’t matter how grumpy and moody he was—I still liked him. But I didn’t want to. I couldn’t afford to fall for another guy, not when I was finally finding myself.
Ugh. Enough of that.
I forced myself out of bed. There was no time to lie here daydreaming, and no point. He’d made it perfectly clear that he regretted the kiss just as much as I did. Anyway, I would be living with Rafe until I heard from the solicitor, who reported that he was having a hard time getting solid answers, so I needed to keep things nice and casual between us.