What bribe? What price? I thought back to our conversation—her conversation—and realized she thought I wanted a kiss in exchange for trimming my hair.

She crawled back upon the bed and sat on her heels beside me. “Will you try to answer my questions?”

I waited, unsure of her questions.

“Are you able to physically speak?”

I nodded.

“Are you ever planning on talking to me?”

That question hinted at a long-term future. I smiled wide and nodded again.

“Clay,” she said hesitantly, “were you asking for a kiss?”

I’d never wanted anything more. I nodded and reached out to twine my fingers with hers. She let me, and I ran my thumb over the skin of her hand.

“Clay, I can’t even see your mouth to know where to kiss. I hope this bargain includes a shave.”

My heart stopped. Was that a yes? I didn’t move, afraid I was dreaming it.

She pulled her hand from mine so she could set both hands on my shoulders. I felt the slight tremble in her fingertips as she slowly leaned over me. Her nervousness almost blocked the scent of her anticipation. She closed her eyes a moment before her lips settled on me. She hovered there, lightly pressing her mouth against mine. I held still, wanting so much more and afraid to do something to scare her away.

She moved slighting, angling the chaste kiss as she reached up to gently brush her fingers along my face, exploring my forehead, ear, and jaw. I couldn’t hold back. I tilted my head and started to nibble at her lips.

Her desire changed to panic, and I cursed myself as she pulled away and opened her eyes. Her shock and gasp made my heart sink.

Was she so afraid of a kiss?

“What happened?”

Her concern confused me.

“I thought werewolves weren’t supposed to get hurt like this.”

Crap. She’d moved my hair and was staring at my blackened face. Wait. Did that mean she hadn’t minded the kiss, then? Before the thought could firmly settle in my mind, she bounded off the bed again.

“A deal’s a deal. Go shower and shave. After you’re done, we can play charades until I have the story behind the black eye.”

Screw the black eye, I wanted her back on the bed.

“That or I call Sam.”

I ran my hand through my hair in frustration, then sighed and sat up. The mood was obviously broken.

Swinging my feet over the bed, I turned away from her, ready to go take a cold shower when she came rushing over to me again. I didn’t stand. She’d be able to reach my lips easier this way. Only she didn’t rush to my front. She reached around me and tugged up my shirt. Somehow, I doubted her actions related to continuing our kiss.

“What happened?” she asked again, sounding really upset this time. She nudged my arm away from my side and leaned closer to inspect the bruises there. I held still, liking it when she ran gentle fingers over the marks.

“This is really scaring me, Clay. I thought werewolves were supposed to be this tough, nearly indestructible, race.”

I fought three wolves, one right after the other. How tough did she need me?

“Is this why you were gone last night when I came home?”

She sounded sad and mad at the same time. I didn’t think there was any correct answer so I remained silent. As usual.

“Fine.”

She turned to leave, obviously angry, but I caught her wrist and gently tugged her to my side. I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed the back of it and then her knuckles, unwilling to let her leave angry. I knew I’d won when she brushed her fingers through my hair.

“I’ve lost everyone that’s ever really mattered to me. I thought caring about a werewolf would be safer,” she said softly.

I looked up, my heart breaking for the lonely woman reflected in her gaze. Then I pulled her into my arms. She’d never be lonely again. I wouldn’t leave her, no matter what.

Eventually, she pulled away and mumbled something about making breakfast. She fled the room, leaving me to my thoughts as she cooked. I would have joined her, but I knew Rachel was still home.

Gabby cared for me. Her own words. But caring wasn’t love. Though I’d happily take any form of affection she’d willingly give, I knew caring wouldn’t be enough of a bond to stop the challengers.

Would it be enough to ask her to complete the Claim?

Chapter 16

I still didn’t have the answer when Gabby returned with two steaming plates. With a shy smile, she offered me one then sat on the bed beside me. We ate in silence. It wasn’t easy to stay focused on the food. The lingering feel of her lips on mine, her hands on my shoulders, consumed me.

Her comment about finding my lips rang in my head, too. Could that be her obsession with trimming my beard? Did she want to see my skin so she knew where to bite? A tremor shot through me, and I hurried to eat. I needed to shave.

Before I finished, I heard Rachel leave. Good.

Gabby took our plates and left the room. While she washed dishes, I slipped into the bathroom with scissors and a razor.

I trimmed back the whiskers from around my mouth and shaved everything from my neck. A shudder of anticipation rippled over me as I stared at the exposed skin in the mirror. Now, I was ready for her to bite me and Claim me as her own.

After a quick shower, during which I heard her pause often outside the door, I dressed and tried to calm myself. Would she Claim me right away? My gut clenched at the thought, then reason kicked in. Probably not. She wouldn’t rush into it. But, she might kiss me some more.

With that thought in my head, I reached for the doorknob but a knock on the front door stopped me from stepping out. I turned back toward the mirror and scowled at myself. Why now? I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. Unsure if Gabby wanted me to make my presence known, I waited and listened as she went to answer the door.

At Gabby’s faint words, I curled my hands into fists.

“Morning, Sam. This is a surprise.”

I wanted to curse and hit something. Sam showing up was not a good sign.

“Um, don’t get me wrong, I like seeing you, but is there a reason you’re here?”

The impatience in Gabby’s voice helped calm me. She wanted to see me because she knew I’d shaved. For her.

“We’ll wait for Clay,” Sam said.

With a deep breath, I reached for the door.

Gabby turned to look at me as I padded into the living room. Excitement made her eyes shine. I wanted to go straight to her, wrap my arms around her, and let her inspect me for as long as she’d like. Too bad Sam stood by the door watching us.

Still, I focused on Gabby as she focused on me. Her gaze took in my clothes then zeroed in on my face, and, lastly, my exposed neck. There, she lingered. My pulse jumped. Could she see what she did to me with just a glance?

Finally, she met my gaze again and smiled. Behind her, Sam shifted, drawing my attention.

“You know why I’m here, Clay.”

Gabby glanced at Sam, a trace of annoyance coloring her expression.

No doubt, he was here because of the challenges. Did he honestly think I would step aside so easily?

“I’m told you didn’t take the news well.”

I shrugged and crossed my arms. I thought I took the news that other men would be coming after my woman with a fair amount of grace.

Gabby caught my shrug and frowned.

“What’s going on? What news?” she said, glancing between Sam and me.

“You didn’t tell her?” Sam said.

Crap.

“He’s not talking to me, yet,” Gabby said.

Sam shook his head at me. “You’ve dug your own hole then, son.” He looked at Gabby. “A group of Forlorn have asked Elder Joshua to approach you for an unofficial kind of Introduction. Joshua approved, but he made it clear they were to keep it brief and then leave, unless any of them had a further request of him.”

Anger spiked through me. I still resented how the Elders were handling this.