by Susan Bliler
“They learn enough yet?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “Most of ‘em. I still have a few recipes to share, but they’re doing really well.”
“Good. Because you’re done.”
Chapter 17
Funny, Hillary had been waiting all this time to be sent back home and now that the time was here, she didn’t know if she was ready. Worse, she was a little put off by how Modess had informed her. Hell, they’d just had a fabulous dinner and were really getting to know each other and then all of a sudden, “You’re done.”
Not sure how to feel about his abruptness, she couldn’t help but ask, “Okay. If I’m going back, then why’d you make me move to your house? I could’ve spent my last night at the guest cabin.”
She watched as his brow’s speared down. “What? You’re not going back.”
“But you just said I’m done.”
“Done cooking for the pack.”
“But,” she shook her head. “I still have…”
“No. I brought you here to teach. You’ve taught. Now, the females can take over.”
“But…what am I supposed to do for the rest of the time I’m here?”
He motioned at the table with his hand. “This.”
Delicate brows hit her hair line. “Cook for you?”
“Yeah?”
Well, she wasn’t opposed to the idea, but it seemed a little…cozy. “You’re not worried about what the pack will say? What they’ll think?”
Leaning forward, he rested his forearms on the table and studied her. “Do I look like I give a fuck what anyone else thinks?”
Her eyes dipped to where his muscled forearms were displayed by the short sleeved, tight fitting t-shirt he wore. Slowly, they walked their way up to his biceps then dipped to his chest before lifting to lock on his amused eyes.
“No! No, not at all.”
“Good.” He shoved back from the table. “Then it’s decided. I took your suitcases up while you were making the salsa. Why don’t you go get settled in?”
Hillary eyed the table then looked toward the kitchen. “I’ll just clean up and…”
“I’ve got it.” He took the empty plate from her hands and jerked his chin toward the stairs. “You cooked. I’ll clean. Seems only fair.”
Seems only fair? Holy fuckballs, can this man get any hotter? Nodding jerkily, she fisted her hands and rushed to the stairs because ol’ she-wolf was back to emitting pheromones. Hopefully, the house still smelled too strongly of garlic salt and steak for Modess to have…
A growl from the table had her double-timing up the stairs.
***
Dishwasher full and running, table cleared, stovetop cleaned, and Modess was still pacing the kitchen looking for something to do. Why? Because he was nervous about going upstairs with Hillary. With his enhanced hearing, he’d heard her blast on the shower and then he’d heard several minutes later when she’d finished and finally exited the bathroom. She’d been trying to tiptoe around, but the house was old and the wooden floor boards creaked. After he figured she was all settled in, he turned off all the lights and made his way up the stairs. In the bathroom, fog still clung to the mirror and the room smelled like sweet, sinful chocolate and Hillary’s pheromones. Dessert. She smelled like fucking dessert!
Gut clenching, he made quick work of readying for bed. In the hall, he took two fortifying breaths to prepare himself for the battle he knew was coming and then opened the door to his room. The room where he’d placed Hillary’s suitcases. The room he knew she’d assume was hers because of it.
Stepping into the room, he slammed to a halt at the sight that met him. Hillary spun at the sound of his entry and Jesus, all the Gods in Heaven. His eyes dipped down. “What are you wearing?”
Hurriedly, she flattened both hands on her chest. “Nightgown!” she bit out but was backing toward the bed. “What are you…” She started again but this time with more venom in her voice. “What are you doing in here?”
He had to literally tear his eyes from her body, barely covered in white satin that ended at her creamy thighs and barely covered her bountiful breasts. Pacing to the closet, he jerked it open and pulled out the cot he kept stowed there, ignoring how Hillary took the opportunity to scramble up into his bed and beneath sheets. “It’s my room,” he answered as he unfolded the cot and settled it against the wall. All the while Hillary watched him with rounded eyes.
“Wait! What? I thought…my stuff was in here.”
He pulled several blankets from the closet and quickly made up the cot before grabbing a pillow. “I know. I put your stuff in here.”
“Is this…” She sat up straight in bed holding the covers to her chest. “Where am I sleeping?”
He turned and grinned. “Right where you are.”
“Then where are you sleeping?”
He motioned to the cot. “Right here, Cupcake.”
“No! No, no, no! There are at least a dozen rooms in this house, Modess! Why would we share a room?”
Reaching for the light switch and flicking it off, Modess climbed onto his cot and relaxed back, folding his arms beneath his head. “Other rooms aren’t set up for guests.”
“I could sleep on the couch!”
“Nope. Fine where you are.”
“Modess!” she hissed. He heard her toss the blankets aside.
“Get out of that bed in that nightgown and I make no promises to keep my wolf under control.”
He grinned when he peeked over to see the one slender leg, toes just touching the floor, recede back beneath the blankets.
“I…I don’t mind taking the couch,” she tried again.
“Hillary,” he groaned fisting his hair and then pulling his hands down until they rested over his eyes. “I’m trying to forget that I’m laying here full and content. I’m trying to forget how well you fed me and how good our conversation was. I’m really trying to forget that you’re lying half naked in my big bed all alone while your she-wolf calls to me. Mostly, I’m trying to forget how fucking good you tasted the day I…” This time it was a snarl that left his lips. Exhaling audibly, he lowered his hands and fisted the side of his cot. “What I’m saying is, I can’t forget any of those things with you talking, so…”
“Shutting up!”
He grinned at her immediate response, but it morphed into an agonized frown when his cock jerked and his balls whined with how full they were. The scent of Hillary was so damn strong on the air right now that he jerked off the cot, crossed to the window, shoved it open, and then reclaimed his place. Tonight was going to be pure fucking torture! For a moment, he considered going down and taking the couch or moving the cot to his office, or the gym, or the damn hallway. He didn’t, though. His wolf had to be near her. After hearing today that she’d been hurt, his mind had run through the worst case scenarios. Now that he knew she was safe and only hurting from shit accommodations, his wolf intended to keep her safe. The excuse was almost laughable really. Because no one, abso-fucking-lutely no one, would dare enter his den uninvited. Still, what kept his wolf sane kept him sane, so sleeping in the same room to keep guard over their mat… Guest! He amended. Guest! Sleeping in the same room as their guest was what he’d do.
Chapter 18
“I dunno,” Hillary bit her thumb nail. She’d only just forgiven Wanda for trying to play matchmaker and wasn’t sure if she wanted to do her any favors. “This seems like a bad idea.”
“Aww, come on, Hill! Look at her.”
Following Wanda’s instruction, Hillary looked at Brooke. The woman stood staring at her expectantly with wide hazel eyes, her soft features surrounded by pale blonde locks.
“She needs the practice, you’ve never modeled before, it’ll be perfect.”
Hillary shrugged, “I mean, it’s something I’ve wanted to do, but…”
“But what?” Wanda snapped. “This is perfect. Modess is in town, we have the house to ourselves.”
Wanda was right. Modess and Bull had lef
t early that morning, taking the list she’d written for Simone. When she’d handed it to Modess on the porch, he’d leaned down like he was going to kiss her goodbye. When he’d jerked back suddenly, he’d seemed startled by his own actions. If she was being honest, Hillary had been a little deflated.
Turning to the budding photographer, Hillary asked, “How long would it take?”
“Like, an hour,” Brooke rushed to assure. “Please! All the other ladies have modeled a dozen times and no one wants to do it anymore. Please, please, please!”
Well, she did have her sexiest lingerie with her and they would have the house to themselves. Plus, Hillary had always wanted to do a boudoir shoot. She didn’t have anyone to give the pictures to, but she could still just get them done and hang on to them until she met her one. Right? Mulling it over a moment longer, she finally huffed, “Okay. I’m in!”
Wanda clapped excitedly and Brooke clamped her camera to her chest with both hands while she jumped up and down, “Thank you so much! You won’t regret this, Hillary. I promise I’m really good.”
“She is,” Wanda interjected. “But we’ve only got an hour, so let’s get started.” Snapping her fingers, she pointed toward the stairs. “Brooke got get set up. Me and Hillary are going to pick out clothes and do her hair and make-up.”
Twenty minutes later, Hillary stood staring at the bathroom mirror. She didn’t even recognize herself. Wanda was officially a make-up magician. She’d done Hillary’s hair in a sleek forties style that paired perfectly with the bright red lips and shadowed eyelids with black liner that made her green eyes pop. Sexy red polish tipped her fingers and toes, but red satin heels covered her feet, so no toes would be showing. She wore a red satin teddy with black lace over top that. Embarrassingly, Lee and Dalton had packed these sexy articles too. Black stockings were clipped at her thighs with the garter belt attached to the teddy. Looking at herself, she felt sexy in probably the first time since…ever!
Excitement skittered through Hillary and she smiled as she let Wanda lead her out of the bathroom and into the hall. She turned to head down the stairs, but Wanda caught her elbow.
“Uh-uh, we’re in here.” Wanda jerked her head toward Modess’ room and Hillary slammed to a halt.
“What? No! We can’t do this in his room!”
“Of course we can, silly. It’s way bigger and has better lighting. Plus, he’s got this great big ol’ bed that’ll look fabulous.”
“Uhh…” Hillary balked not wanting to admit that she’d already spent the night in that
big ol’ bed. “I don’t think…”
Wanda shoved the door open and stepped inside asking loudly, “You all set up, Brooke?”
Inside, Brooke had a tripod with her camera sitting atop and pointed at the bed. Behind her were two giant white umbrella reflectors. Hillary had to admit, it looked professional as all get out. She was impressed, but mostly she was glad she’d shoved her two suitcases under the bed before making the bed and tidying the room. Still…
Stepping into the room, the scent of Modess filled her lungs and had flitter-flies punching up a storm in her belly. It was one thing to be in here sleeping while he was a few feet away, but to be in his room in sexy lingerie taking naughty photos…well, it had a zing of mischief tearing through her.
Brooke stationed herself behind the camera and started checking its settings.
“Get on the bed,” Wanda directed.
Uncertainty suddenly filled her as Hillary crossed to the bed and sat on the edge. She pulled together the edges of the sheer robe that did little to hide what she wore beneath. She stared at Brooke who lowered her eye to her camera and focused it before standing with a beaming grin. “Okay! Let’s get started.”
Unsure what to do, Hillary smiled like she was posing for a high school photo. Brooke’s smile fell and she turned to look at Wanda. Wanda’s brows hiked and she asked, “Uhhh, watcha doin?”
Hillary replied, “Sm-smiling.”
“Why?”
Looking pointedly at the camera, Hillary said, “For the picture.”
Wanda muttered, “Oh, good Christ.” She crossed the room and pointed to the mattress. “Don’t sit on the edge. Climb up on the bed.”
Hillary stood and turned but Wanda snapped her fingers. “First, give me that robe.”
Peeling it off her shoulders, Hillary handed it to Wanda. She placed a knee on the bed to climb up on it and Wanda yelled, “STOP!”
Hillary turned to look at her and Wanda said. “Don’t move, but look down.”
As she did, Brooke began furiously snapping away.
“Alright, up on the bed.”
Hillary was crawling across the bed when Wanda said, “Stop.”
She did.
“Arch your back and turn and look over your shoulder at the camera.”
She did.
“Take some of those,” Wanda spoke to Brooke. “It looks like she just got caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to.”
Brooke clicked away.
“Now close your mouth and lift your chin a little.”
She did.
“Good,” Wanda grinned. “She follows direction well, shouldn’t be a problem. You got this?”
Brooke nodded. “Yeah. Go ahead and go.”
Hillary asked, “You’re leaving?”
“Yeah,” Wanda beamed. “Gotta go get Simone all dolled up. She’s having a shoot today too.”
Something about the revelation had Hillary relaxing a little. She’d felt guilty about not spending the day with Simone because she knew Bull was out of town. Simone had assured her that she had plans for the day, and now she knew what those plans were. Good.
Wanda left and alone with Brooke, the photoshoot went quickly. Put into some pretty risqué positions, Hillary kept blushing as Brooke waved off her reactions.
“Come on, you’re a grown ass, sexy woman. Own it, Hillary!”
She wasn’t very good at owning anything, but she did her best. Brooke’s frequent smiles as she studied the shots on her camera had her feeling confident that she was giving her what she wanted.
“Okay, just a few more. Get up.”
Climbing off the bed, Hillary watched as Brooke crossed to the bed and jerked the comforter off before peeling back the white sheets and then pulling them free of where they’d been tucked under the mattress. She made a mess of the linen on the bed and then pointed to it. “Okay, strip and then climb back on the bed.”
Hillary’s eyes rounded, “What? Naked?”
Brooke smirked. “Yes, hon. Naked. I’ve seen it all before, plus we aren’t going to show any of it. Trust me.”
Stalling only a moment, Hillary slowly slipped the straps of her teddy down her shoulders before grabbing the front and peeling it down. The second the air hit her nipples, she heard the camera click and jerked the front of the teddy back up before shooting a glare at Brooke.
“HEY!”
Brooke smiled. “Come look!” She waved Hillary over. “You’re standing in front of the window. The light shining through the curtain washes you out and only leaves a silhouette. Look.”
Upset and feeling taken advantage of, Hillary didn’t move so Brooke unclipped her camera from where it was mounted and crossed to show her. She was right. The bright light behind her made it so only a dark silhouette was visible. It was obvious she was taking off her clothes, but you couldn’t see any skin or color at all. It was actually quite sexy.
She nodded, “Okay, but no more sneaky pics.”
“Okay,” Brooke agreed. “But while you undress, I’m going to snap a couple more like this. I’ll show them all to you and don’t worry. When we are all finished here, I’ll only print the pictures you approved. The rest, you can watch me delete. I respect your modesty, Hillary, and wouldn’t do to anyone what I wouldn’t want done to me. Sound fair?”
Relaxing again, Hillary nodded. She had to admit that she was a little curious to see how the rest of the silhouette pictures would turn
out. She turned so Brooke would have a better shot and then started peeling out of her teddy again.
“Slowly,” Brooke directed as she squinted into the camera. “Imagine you’re undressing for a lover. Imagine him watching intently, devouring you with his eyes.”
Her mind instantly went to Modess and how could it not? They were in his room, his scent lingered everywhere, and if there were any man she’d want watching her undress, it’d be him. Bending, she unsnapped her stockings from the garter belt on one leg.
“Good, now turn and hike your leg up on the bed and do the other.”
When she was finished, Brooke told her to keep the stockings on and just take off the teddy. She let her lips part as she took in a deep breath to calm herself, trying to get her mind off the image of Modess planted in the corner of the room watching her. Her hands pushed the teddy slowly over her hips and then down until cool air hit her body.
“Tilt your head back,” Brooke directed. “And close your eyes.”
She did as directed and after a few clicks she opened her eyes and stepped out of the garment all while the camera clicked away.
“Okay, now climb up on the bed and lay on your side, facing me.” Brooke stepped out from behind the camera and moved the sheets until they were just covering her lady bits, barely. “Muss your hair. We want this one to look like you’ve been proper fucked.” Brooke giggled, but Hillary’s mouth went dry as she imagined what it’d be like to bask in the afterglow of sex with the Alpha of the Blood Lust pack.
Hands in her hair, she rubbed at her scalp and then shook her head.
“Yeah, like that.” Brooke was back to clicking away, but Hillary’s heart was pounding in her chest now because she couldn’t get Modess out of her head. The idea of him walking in on her like this was thrilling and for a moment she actually wished it would happen.
A few more clicks and Brooke pulled back with a beaming grin. “All done! These are going to be great and I don’t want you to worry. I do all my own editing and printing, so there’s no chance anyone will see these besides me and you. I’ll get you print outs soon and you can keep ‘em or,” she winked at Hillary, “give ‘em away.”
