Chapter 10: In the Morning

I woke before dawn and it was still true.

I lay in the narrow bed over the kitchen and listened to the house sleeping.

The wolf in my chest paced from one end of me to the other.

At first light I put on a flannel shirt and went out.

Joss's cabin stood behind the barn, a small log place with a woodstove and one lit window.

I didn't knock.

He was at the stove in his jeans with no shirt, and he turned around with a mug in his hand.

He'd been awake all night too. It was in his face.

"It's morning," I said.

"So it is."

"It's still true."

He put the mug down very carefully on the counter.

"Say it."

"I want you." I shut the door behind me.

"I want you, Joss. I want to know what it's like to touch someone who isn't deciding for me."

"Good." His voice had dropped. "Now say what you want."

"What?"

"Rule one. No guessing."

Something dark and pleased crossed his face.

"You said it out loud last night in a driveway. You can do better with a door shut."

Heat climbed my neck.

"You're going to make me."

"I'm going to make you say it every way you know how."

He took one slow step toward me.

"That's what you wanted from a man for eight years. Someone who'd listen."

I swallowed.

"I want your hands on me."

"Where?"

"Everywhere. I want your mouth."

"I want you to put me on that bed and not stop until I can't remember my own name."

He crossed the floor in two strides and kissed me.

It was the same kiss as the night before, and not the same, because there was nobody to stop us.

His hands went under the flannel and spread over my ribs, careful of the dressing on my side.

I made an impatient sound against his mouth.

"The stitches," he said.

"Agnes took them out yesterday."

"Valerie."

"I swear to God, Joss, if you stop now, I'll shift and bite you."

He laughed against my neck.

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