Chapter 143

“Is it so difficult to believe that right now, I want to keep my eyes on you?” Beau asks.

“Yes,” I say. “I would have thought you would want someone who would let you touch as well as look.”

He hums. “Generally, yes. But… for whatever reason, teasing you is more fun than teasing other girls.”

I place my hand on his shoulder to give him a shove, but he catches my hand and brings it to his chest instead. He steps closer to me, closing the distance between us. I look up at him and he smirks down at me.

“Besides, if I want to touch, I’m not sure you would want to stop me,” he says.

I swallow thickly. He’s not wrong, damn him. In fact, I’d probably encourage his touches. And suddenly I hear Angela’s voice in my head, reminding me to ask him about the swirl.

I rip my hand away from him. “Keep dreaming,” I say.

I head for the front door. He stays close behind me. Outside, I do a few stretches, but not too many. I can feel Beau’s eyes on me, and it makes me want to jump him.

Before long, I start jogging down the sidewalk. Beau easily keeps pace with me. It’s frustrating, he’s not even dressed for this, but he he’s steady beside me. He’s not even breathing heavy.

He doesn’t work out like Archer does. He really shouldn’t be this much in shape. Does he work out at all? Other than his sexual cardio activities, I mean.

I’m annoyed. I’ve been training lately, but maybe not hard enough. I start to really push my body. Harder. Faster. Surely I can lose him if I really hoof it.

Except the bastard stays in line right beside me, seemingly unbothered by the increase in pace.

Does he think this is slow? Maybe it is slow. I’ve been out of shape for too long. So I push myself even harder, until I’m basically sprinting down the sidewalk. Still, he stays beside me the entire way.

Fast. Faster.

My legs burn but I keep pushing.

Then, suddenly, my muscles shriek and clamp and I stumble. A cramp grips my calf, and it hurts. I lose my pace so quickly, I’m about to face plant on the cement. But suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrap around me, stopping me.

Beau guides me into the grass, where he gently sets me down. He kneels beside me. There’s concern in his face. It’s unusual and makes him look like a different person.

“Where does it hurt?” he asks.

“I didn’t stretch enough,” I say.

“That’s not what I asked.” He stares at me hard, until I eventually relent.

I wave to my pained leg. “A cramp in my calf.”

Beau moves at once. He sits on the grass, lifts my leg and puts my foot in his lap. Before I can ask just what he thinks he’s doing, his hands find my pained calf, and his clever fingers begin to massage the hurt away.

He’s masterful with those fingers, insistent and firm. He digs into the meat of the muscle, pushing and rubbing until the aching muscles begin to loosen up. It hurts but feels good at the same time. The minute those muscles release, I fall back into the grass with a relieved sigh.

Beau’s hands stay on my leg, massaging gentler now. It feels good, like he’s easing away even the memory of the pain.

“You pushed too hard,” he says.

I throw an arm over my eyes, afraid to face him. Or myself.

I don’t want to admit to either of us that I was trying to impress him. Besides, even if that’s partially true, it’s not the only reason.

“I have to get better,” I say. “I’ve been too relaxed lately. Since I don’t have a wolf, if I want to have any shot as a warrior, I have to work three times as much as anyone else.”

“You should give up that foolish dream,” he says.

A familiar anger rises inside of me. “Thanks for your insight,” I say, “But get bent.”

I probably shouldn’t tell off the guy who just rubbed feeling back into my leg. His hands are still there. His touch has gone feather-light. He’s rubbing gentle circles into my skin with his fingertips. It’s almost… tender. I sigh again, happier, filled with something I don’t dare name.

Beau chuckles a little. “I think you might be the one who wants to get bent. Bent over something so I can fuck you.”

I drop my arm and shove myself upwards. “Fuck off, Beau.”

Beau laughs harder. “You are too easy to rile up.”

“Then go bother someone else,” I grumble as I force myself back onto my feet. My leg still feels sore, but I should be okay enough to walk back to the Pyramid, if I take my time.

Beau stands too. He’s beside me in an instant. “I already said I prefer to bother you. You need to learn to listen.”

“I listen fine.”

He hums. Then, he dips, places an arm behind my knees and flips me up into his arms in a bridal carry.

“Beau!”

“I’d prefer to get home before nightfall,” Beau says and begins lightly jogging. Even carrying me, his breathing remains steady and his stride consistent.

He’s flexing his superior werewolf strength, and I should be pissed as hell about it. But. It’s admittedly very impressive. I hold onto his shoulders as he runs, and try not to think about the last time I gripped onto those shoulders.

I wonder how long it took my claw marks to heal. Werewolves healed fast. Maybe he didn’t even notice it.

I duck my head to hide my blush. I’ve been blushing so much lately, at this rate, I might need a different concealer. My whole skin tone is turning pink.

Beau carries me the entire way back to the Pyramid, and then inside to my room, where he lowers me back to my feet.

“Better?” he asks.

“Thank you,” I grumble.

His grin is toothy and wide. “Come out with me tonight. You won’t have to walk much, but there’s something I want you to see.”

I cross my arms. “I’m not going to a sex club.”

He shakes his head, though his smile remains bright. “Not everything about me is sex related.”

I give him a flat look.

“Most things is not everything,” he says.

“Then where are we going?” I ask.

“Ah,” he says, “so you agree. Get showered and dressed. I’ll be back in an hour to get you.”

I don’t remember agreeing exactly, but I am admittedly curious.

Beau turns, headed for the door. “But where are we going?” I ask again. If for no other reason, I need to know how to dress.

Beau stops in the door way. His gaze trails down my body again, and makes me feel sexy, even though I’m sure I’m sweaty and covered in grass stains.

Angela said I’m his type. I wonder again just what his type could be.

When his gaze returns to my face, his grin becomes mischievous. Dangerous.

“Tonight, Nanny, I’m going to take you somewhere exhilarating. Be ready. One hour.”

Then he’s out the door.