Howl (Monster Boyfriends #1)

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

JAMIE

W ell shit.

Now that I’ve had a taste of what Raegan looks like completely undone, I can never go back. Tiny strands of dark hair are plastered to her temple and her skin is flushed from cheeks to chest. She looks sexy as hell.

Raegan shifts uncomfortably on the counter, and I can tell she’s ready to get down, so I take her by the waist and lower her carefully to the floor. Seeing her stand in my kitchen in just my shirt, the insides of her thighs caked in the arousal I caused, sends a rev to my dick to start up again, but I can’t push it. All of this, no matter what I feel, has to be on her terms.

She wipes the stray hairs from her face and looks as exhausted as I feel. It's then that I remember I’ve been awake for more than twenty-four hours.

I see that the clock now reads 7:15 A.M. “Take a nap with me?” I suggest.

She nods and I lead her back upstairs to my bedroom. I grab a damp washcloth, knowing she’ll want to clean up a bit, and wipe down her thighs before tucking her under the covers.

“Don’t look so proud of yourself,” she chastises playfully.

I must be smiling.

“How can I not be? I know what you smell like when you’re turned on.” I press one kiss to her lips and playfully bite her bottom lip. “Now I can’t wait to taste you.”

I change into a clean pair of briefs before climbing beneath the silky sheets beside her. I’m overwhelmed with her scent, but it must just be because she’s here with me.

Next to me, Raegan’s body is stiff, unsure whether or not she should keep space between us, so I reach out sleepily and grab her waist. “Come here.”

She gives in and melts into my side. Pulling her back flush against my chest, I rest my chin on the top of her shoulder and breathe in the sweet scent of her coconut shampoo. I envision doing the same in my wolf form, and whether I’m dreaming or reliving a memory, I can’t be sure. But the position soothes me, and soon I’m drifting back into a peaceful sleep, my best friend in my arms.

The next time I open my eyes, the clock reads 7:00 A.M. I shoot up in bed, confused and unsure whether I’ve gone back in time or the clock has stopped working. Turns out it’s neither, because when I grab my phone the lock screen shows the date on the calendar has changed. I slept an entire day and night.

But where is Raegan?

Did she wake up early this morning and regret what we did yesterday?

I bring up her contact info to call her, and I see she’s already sent me a text message. Several in fact.

THURSDAY 12:04 P.M. Hey you were still sound asleep so I just wanted you to know I’m back at my place to start packing ??

THURSDAY 12:12 P.M. I am still moving in right?? Does our encounter on the counter mean we shouldn’t? Ha

THURSDAY 12:13 P.M. ok that was a joke but seriously. Should we talk about this first?

THURSDAY 12:44 P.M. I know you’re probably still sleeping so I’m just going to wait and we’ll talk about it this evening ??

MISSED CALL 7:10 P.M.

THURSDAY 7:35 P.M. Hey so I came to check on you and you’re still asleep. I don’t know how long werewolves are supposed to rest after shifting, but you definitely didn’t mention anything about hibernation.

THURSDAY 9:00 P.M. Can you call me when you get up so I know you’re alive???

THURSDAY 11:20 P.M. I got a hold of Rhett and asked him if this was normal and apparently it is. I will come by in the morning.

THURSDAY 11:22 P.M. goodnight ??

The second I finish reading, I dial her number.

She answers on the second ring. “Jamie?”

“Who else would it be?” I tease, my voice scratchy.

She lets out a massive sigh on the other end of the line, her breath creating a loud crackling sound through the speaker. “I wish I would have known you were going to sleep for twenty-four years.”

“Just twenty-four hours, Rae,” I tease her, then I think better of it. I know she probably tossed and turned half the night worrying about me. “Sorry, I should have warned you.”

“It’s okay,” she says quietly. “How are you feeling?”

It’s a loaded question. If she’s asking about how my body is recovering from the shift, I feel fully rested and almost back to normal. But if she’s asking about us—what we did—I’m worried I might say the wrong thing. Part of me is still afraid I’ll spook her and send her running, but ultimately, I know I need to be honest. So, I tell her the truth.

“I’m good, Rae. What about you?”

“Me too.”

I can hear the grin in her tone, and I just know she’s probably smiling to herself like a giddy school girl with a crush. I love the idea of giving her butterflies, like we just met and are slowly learning things about each other one day at a time. In a way, I guess that’s true. From here on out, I will be learning and exploring a new side of Raegan that I’ve never had permission to see before.

As long as she lets me.

“I’m glad to hear it,” I tell her, as I get up from the bed. “I guess that means you can start packing again.”

A beat passes, and I swear I feel a batch of butterflies in my own stomach.

Then she agrees.“I guess it does.”