Hunting Season: Werewolf Bodyguard Romance (Guarded by the Shifter Book 1) by Kate Rudolph (new reading TXT) 📗

didn't sound too disappointed, but she normally was peppy enough. "You owe me drinks. And I expect a call back. I don't care that we're not working together anymore. We're still friends."

"I promise," and Stasia meant it. She had a feeling she was going to need someone normal, someone who knew nothing about the werewolf world, to ground her as her life was changing. And Luna was just the person for that.

The door to the bedroom opened just as Stasia said goodbye and hung up the phone. Owen wrapped his arms around her tight and Stasia felt some of her tension melt away.

"Did you hear that?" she asked. He might have been outside the room and she wasn't sure just how sharp his hearing was. Now that she knew he wasn't completely human she had to wonder what exactly he could do.

"Nope," he said. They rocked back and forth a bit as if swaying to music that wasn't playing.

"My friend Luna got a job at a new hospital. She invited me to apply for a position there. They're looking for doctors. It would probably be a good fit." It sounded like she was trying to justify it to herself. Why didn't it feel right anymore? It wasn't just the werewolf stuff. Stasia had been adrift for a while, ever since she left her last job. She hadn't been sure it was right then, and she didn't know if it was right now.

"Do you want to go back to a hospital?" Owen asked gently. It was clear he was not trying to influence the decision. It would be so easy if he did try and influence it.

"I don't know," she admitted. "It should be right up my alley. It's high-pressure, it's important."

"But it's not what you want," said Owen, plainly stating what she was afraid to confess.

"No, it's not what I want." It was strange and freeing to admit that. It was something she had been dancing around for quite some time. She had spent so long and worked so hard to earn her qualifications and to get jobs where she would truly make a difference. But it didn't satisfy her anymore. It wasn't right. Not anymore.

"You know we could always use a doctor." Owen offered. "You saved Vega's life. And you could probably tell us a lot about what's going on in our bodies that we don't understand. I can't guarantee it will pay much, but it'll be interesting."

It was almost too good to be true. Stasia's heart beat a little faster and her mind whirred with possibilities. A doctor to werewolves. No one else had that kind of opportunity. "Is this you asking me? Or Gibson?" She didn't know which one she wanted to be offering her the job. She didn't want Owen to offer her out of pity or out of some weird effort to keep her close, but she also liked the idea that it would be Owen thinking of it instead of his boss. Even as her mind warred against it, her heart wanted him to want her close.

"Gibson suggested it," Owen admitted. "But I think you would be great at it. I want you here. But if I was making up a job for you it would involve a lot more sexual favors," he added.

A surprised laugh burst out of Stasia. "I'll probably throw in the sexual favors for free."

She wasn't ready to make the decision. Not yet. No matter how intriguing doctor to werewolves sounded, she had some thinking to do. Then Owen kissed her and she decided that she could think later.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Owen couldn't resist kissing Stasia. Every moment they were apart was too long, and he and his wolf were in agreement on that. The thought of her staying with them, working with them, only added fire to his blood. She hadn't said yes. She might not say yes. But the possibility was there now.

There was no telling what the future held for them, but now they had a chance to seize it.

Stasia wrapped her legs around his waist as he leaned against the wall and held her in place, his cock hardening to steel as he pressed against her.

"Yes," his mate groaned, deepening their kiss.

Owen's mind was in a haze of lust as he flashed through all the things he could do to her, all the things they could do together. He wanted to steal her away and lock them both up in a tower somewhere so that no one would find them. The more barbaric part of his mind imagined chaining her to the bed, but as she nipped at his lip the fantasy changed until he was the one in manacles and Stasia was having her way with him.

Yes.

Both.

Either.

Whatever happened, so long as it was with her.

At points in his past he'd worried about finding someone to stand by forever. He'd thought he'd feel cramped, limited. But now his mind was completely focused on Stasia and there was no limitation. She was all he wanted. All he would ever want.

Mate.

The thought was music to his ears.

He swung her around and sat her gently on the bed.

"I'm not fragile, you know," Stasia said with heat as she tore off her top and tossed it across the room.

"I know." Owen made quick work of his own top and unbuttoned his jeans, but he didn't get them all the way off. Stasia was right there and far too tempting. He knelt between her legs and began kissing every inch of exposed skin, paying special attention to her breasts when she moaned as his tongue swirled around a nipple. "Not fragile at all," he said between kisses. "But precious. Mine."

She moaned again before threading her fingers through her hair and surprising him with a countermove right out of a jiu-jitsu studio, using her hips to thrust up and flip him over. She straddled his waist, her hair hanging over them like a curtain. "Yours?" There was a challenge in her eyes.

Another man