“On… me?” I echoed, disbelief coloring my voice.
He nodded, serious and focused. “We’ve been analyzing Paige’s DNA data. Since you and Paige share the same parentage, I want to compare your DNA to hers. Just a simple cheek swab.”
Right. Cheek swab. Clinical and scientific. Nothing romantic about that at all.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. “Sure. You need it now?”
“If you’ve got five minutes.”
Five minutes? I had five years, Jake. Take your time.
I nodded, watching as he assembled his tools: a sterile swab, gloves, a test tube. The sight of him so methodical and professional only made my pulse quicken.
“Just relax,” he said softly, his voice gentle.
Relax? With him standing so close, radiating warmth? Yeah, no. Relaxing felt impossible.
He raised the swab, eyes locking onto mine as if searching for permission. “Open.”
Oh no. Wrong command, Jake. So wrong.
Still, I obeyed, parting my lips. His hand came up to cradle my chin, steadying me. The touch sent a shiver cascading down my spine. He might think I was cold, but really, I was a furnace about to ignite.
He carefully rolled the swab along the inside of my cheek, his brow furrowed in concentration. Little did he know how much that focused look was dismantling my self-control.
“Hold still,” he murmured.
You could hold still inside me, my brain teased.
I choked on the thought instead of saying it aloud.
Pulling back, he studied me with a crease of concern between his brows. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I croaked, trying to sound convincing.
His gaze lingered for a moment longer, hand still resting lightly on my chin, before he nodded and resumed his task. If only he knew the mental images swirling in my head right now.
He finished and carefully sealed the swab inside a vial, labeling it with neat, precise handwriting.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, still close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him. “This might help us understand what you and Paige really are.”
“Happy to contribute to science,” I replied, managing a small smile. “I always wanted to be part of a groundbreaking discovery. Just hoped it wouldn’t involve quite so many swabs.”
He gave me a small, crooked smile that sent my stomach into a full somersault. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.”
Next time. Oh, Jake, don’t make promises you might not keep.
Before I could embarrass myself further, the door opened again. Leo stepped in, and the atmosphere shifted instantly. Shirtless as usual, his damp hair clinging to his forehead, he looked impossibly good for someone who’d probably been running laps around the clinic’s perimeter for hours.
“Everything okay?” he asked, eyes flicking between Jake and me.
Jake straightened, slipping back into his professional demeanor. “All good. Just collecting samples for comparison.”
Leo’s gaze settled on me. “You good, Pop?”
Oh, I was more than good-caught between a brilliant scientist with gentle hands and a towering wall of muscle who looked at me like I was his entire world.
“Peachy,” I said, forcing a grin. “Just saving the world with my saliva. No big deal.”
Leo’s mouth twitched into an amused smile. “Sounds like dangerous work.”
“It is,” I agreed, hand over my heart. “One wrong move and Jake here might have to take my temperature next.”
Jake blinked, surprised, and Leo laughed-a rich, warm sound that wrapped around me and made my insides do a happy little dance.
Gods, I was hopeless. Two men, one brain cell, and it was entirely occupied with inappropriate thoughts.
Jake cleared his throat, mask back in place. “I’ll get this processed. Thanks, Poppy. You’ve been incredibly helpful.”
“Anytime,” I said far too quickly.
He smiled once more and headed toward the back room, vial in hand. When the door closed behind him, Leo chuckled softly.
“What?” I demanded, crossing my arms.
“Nothing,” he said, still smiling. “You’re easy to read, Pop.”
“I am not,” I protested. “I’m a vault.”
He stepped closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. “A vault that blushes every time he says your name.”
I glared up at him, but it was impossible to stay mad when he looked at me like that-like he already knew every secret I hadn’t admitted to myself.
“Whatever,” I muttered, turning away before he could catch my grin. “Go shower or something. You smell like wolf.”
He leaned down, voice low and teasing. “You like the way I smell.”
Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong.
I tossed a towel at him. “Get out before I medically sedate you.”
He laughed and left, and I finally sank against the counter, pressing a hand to my chest.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply