Tempting

Cash's comment laid claim to my thoughts some more.

It's my job, so why would he even attempt that pathetic dig at me. Not that I enjoyed dying, cause it hurt, very much. It didn't matter what way I died, I would just reanimate with a new soul, healed up with, a few changes to my appearance.

I tried clearing my mind and getting rid of his words. I wasn't going to let some wolf shake me.

It failed however after a few minutes when Cash finally came out of the bathroom. I could see water dripping from his wet hair and riding down his chest like a ski slope. I gathered enough with first glance to know his body was as dangerous as his words, but in a different way.

Attempting casual and looking away from him, I pretended to admire the ceiling fan. Even though I was purposely avoiding his gaze, I could feel him staring at me.

"I need to go out and get some supplies. There's a corner market a block down Main Street that should still be open at this hour. Do you need anything while I am out?" I asked while turning and looking everywhere but at him. I got no response. 

I looked over my shoulder to realize he was no longer standing where I had last noticed him and the bedroom door was open. I started arguing with myself if going out this late was reasonable, but Cash emerged with what looked like a white dress shirt and some red flannel bottoms.

"Here, use these, shower should have plenty of hot water, shampoo is in the black bottle, wipe bathroom down when you're done." He tossed the cloths on the end table by the couch, bumping the lamp. 

I was surprised at his sudden generosity and walked over to grab the cloths and take a much-needed shower. I noticed he was wearing a plain thin white t-shirt that enhanced his firm chest and the flannel pants that sported tiny little Corgis on them. I stifled a laugh but enough emerged I got a look of death from him when he realized what I was so amused with.

"When you're done showering, we will talk some more. I don't like the idea of going someplace 'safe' when I feel safe enough here." He was going to be resistant but I'd find a way around it.

Grabbing the shirt and flannel pants, I felt the softness of the shirt. I had assumed it'd be stiff, like him.

I headed to the bathroom but he grabbed the cloths hanging from my hand and yanked me hard enough my face was almost buried in his firm his chest. 

"Ever question my abilities to perform, again, or anything otherwise, and I won't have any issue showing you. No matter how much you end up begging me to stop." His words stopped any protest I was about to make.

I could feel the heat radiating from his chest on my neck as I looked up into those wild golden eyes. His look started traveling to my belly and lower, almost between my legs. My resolve was slipping as I wanted to taste the dominance of the kiss he forced on me earlier. I couldn't, I had rules, but this wolf knew how to bend them. His arm came around me and it woke me up. I pushed of his rock-hard chest with my free hand and he let out a low moan.

"I think I could enjoy it more with how much you seem to resist." His words were threatening but tempting.

I pushed harder using aura this time and the moment he felt it he let me go. Being restrained is not something I can handle and he knows it. 

"Keep your little threats and cockiness to yourself, as well as your hands. This is work for me, not a date." I put as much warning as I could into telling him that, but it only garnered a laugh.

I tuned it out and went to the bathroom for a very cold shower. 

I was appreciative for the clean bathroom and the hot water that came out to warm me after a quick cold blast. Standing under it and thinking on what could be going through Cash's mind, I suddenly figured he was trying to get rid of me. Not every person or Other is keen to having someone like me invade their personal space or even make a claim I was there to keep them safe and alive. He was definitely one of them. 

The whole situation could be solved if he'd just consider joining the pack, maybe enough to get the hit off his back. Regardless, I knew this had to stop being a pissing contest between us because I am sure whoever was hired for the hit knows where he is, and will start keeping track of his daily movements. Deciding, as I rinsed the earthy smell of his shampoo out of my long curly orange tendrils, that finding a new place to stay was first on our list to finish discussing. 

I wrapped my hair with the towel and slipped into the huge collared long sleeve white work shirt he gave me. It was soft against my skin, so it felt nice. Picking up my hoodie and cloths, I felt my phone vibrate. I realized I hadn't looked at it since earlier. 

"Having fun little bird? Make sure you eat. Call me if any issues arise and I will do my best to be a hero, with payment of course." It was the only message and it was from Michael.

I shook my head at his response. Figures he'd want payment, but fortunately, it wouldn't be the type of payment he'd be wanting, even if I did need help.  I texted him back a polite no thanks, and shut the phone off.  I only had a little bit of battery life left so no reason to waste it.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, ready to face the wolf and lay the ground work for keeping his butt in live status. Walking out with my adrenaline waiting as back up, what I saw melted my resolve. 

Curled up on short sofa opposite of the larger one was this massive big man lying on his side in Corgi pajama bottoms. He must have been in such a deep sleep he didn't hear me giggle. I found it amusing that he was snoring so loud and with every breath in and out, his hair was waving. I tried tiptoeing closer, and bent down close enough to see how thick his lashes were. His hair looked soft and fell slightly over his face. I noticed he had cleaned up the entire massacre of pizza and chicken, and disposed of the coffee table. 

The bigger sofa was covered with a sheet and a pillow atop some blankets laid neatly on one side. Walking over, I sat down setting my dirty cloths next to my feet on the floor and just stared at him. Sad really, if something happened to him, the world would miss out. With his skin complexion and hair color, I am sure he'd make some really gorgeous puppies. Amusing my self with the thought, I realized it's a good thing I wasn't ever going to go beyond the lines of just being a bodyguard. I couldn't imagine how it would biologically work between a wolf and a human. I was sure it existed but it didn't matter, the man lying there, however, was just man on the outside. 

I got up and grabbed one of the blankets that were laid out for me and walked over to him, cautiously again. If I learned anything about dealing with Others, it was some do not sleep soundly. Unfolding the blanket, I debated gently placing it on him or tossing it at him. The heartstrings won and I attempted cover him gently. I managed the best I could, he was at least half covered. At one point I reached over him for a last-ditch effort and he turned close enough to get face to face with me. I took a moment to scan his face, with a few smile lines, and fluffy lashes, he didn't look so big and scary.

His eyes behind those closed lids were what attracted me the most though. I silently shook my head and backed away. As I turned to head back to the couch, I felt a yank on the shirt I was wearing. I stopped. Did he see me staring at his face earlier? The rush of embarrassment made itself present briefly before I heard what he mumbled. 

"If you're done enjoying the look of my face, remember I AM a wolf. I do nibble and bite, but you aren't big enough to even snack on. Stay out of the bedroom, use the couch for sleep. We will talk in the morning." I stood there with no reaction to his words, at first, but then the embarrassment, and the hurt of is comment started kicking at my own pride making me react.