by Lynn Lorenz
“That’s great, Kirsten.” Ted gazed at the art on the walls. Several other people walked around the gallery. Most of the pictures were local French Quarter scenes and some South Louisiana canvases. “What are your plans?”
Her face lit up, and her eyes widened. “Well, I scouted out this fabulous undiscovered artist. He’s fantastic, and I just know his work will sell. All I have to do is convince him to let me take his work on consignment.”
“Well, you’ve got a great location here on Royal Street. There are at least a dozen people in here right now. That artist would have to be a fool not to take your offer.” Ted wanted to support Kirsten, and it didn’t surprise him that her husband had fronted this for her. It seemed wolf devotion went hand in hand with generosity and support.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She clapped her hands together.
“Why?” Ted stared at her.
“Because you’re the artist. I want those canvases you painted. All of them.” At his look of shock, she added, “Please don’t tell me you sold them!”
“Sold them? You’re joking right?” Ted could not be more surprised. This couldn’t be real.
“No, I’m not joking.” She pointed to a blank wall. “I want to hang them there. I was going to call you next week.”
“I’m leaving town this weekend. Moving to St. Jerome.” Blood filled his cock as he thought about his wolf.
“Now you’re pulling my leg. How did that happen?”
He shook his head. “Let’s just say I found someone I could take a chance on.”
“Well, can you get the paintings to me before you leave?”
“Sure. I’ll bring them by later this afternoon if you’re sure.”
“I’m positive. I can’t wait.” She clapped her hands again, squealed, and then threw her arms around his neck.
“You better take a shower before you go home,” Ted warned. The judge knew his scent, and the last thing he wanted was a visit from a jealous werewolf. “I’ve been packing all day, and I got sticky man-sweat on you.”
Kirsten frowned, sniffed her arm, then laughed. “Sure. You know, Malcolm hates it when I come home smelling like oil paints and linseed oil.”
“He must have a very sensitive nose.” Ted barely held in his laughter. From her reactions, Ted figured she didn’t know he knew her husband’s secret, and that’s the way he wanted to keep it. Safer for everyone that way.
She nodded and let him leave. Ted rushed down Royal Street to the bank. He’d have to drive back to the gallery with the paintings.
Nothing might come of it, but what if it did? Ted pushed dreams of artistic glory out of his head. Right now, he had business accounts to deal with and the rest of his packing to do.
»»•««
Ted backed the van slowly down Scott’s driveway up to the house. Scott stood on the bottom step, motioning to him. He held up his hand, and Ted hit the brakes.
Ted climbed out of the cab and grinned. “You were wrong. I did fill the van.”
“Really? I hope I have enough room for all your stuff.”
“If you don’t, we can put some in storage.” Ted frowned and pointed to the open space under Scott’s raised house. “Too bad this isn’t walled in.”
Scott rubbed the back of his neck. “I was thinking. What if I did get it closed in? You could use it for your office.”
“My office?”
“For your PI business.” Scott smiled at him, and Ted’s heart melted. He wanted to give the man a big kiss. Ted glanced around, but Scott’s house was screened from the rest of the world. He laid a smack right on Scott’s lips.
“What was that for?” Scott asked.
“For being sweet.” Ted winked.
“Sweet? I wasn’t being sweet. I was being rational. You need space. I have space. Made sense.” Scott gave him a hard stare.
“Sure.” Ted whispered, “Sweet!” Scott gave him a warning growl.
Ted stared at the space, then stepped onto the concrete and checked it out. “Hey, there’s hot and cold water down here.”
“Yeah. Had that put in when I built this place. I’d planned on enclosing it as a garage and thought I might need the hookups.” He shrugged. “Never got around to doing it.”
“It’d make a great artist studio.” Ted liked the way the light hit the floor. “With the right windows, of course.” Ted could just see the tall windows wrapping around the room.
“An artist studio? I thought you were a PI?” Scott scratched his head.
“I was. In my youth, I painted. That woman I was tailing here, Kirsten, the wife of the judge? Before I left the city, I gave her four of my paintings to sell at her gallery.”
“Really? That’s fantastic, babe!” Scott high-fived him. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see them. Well, I better talk to the contractor about getting started on this room.”
Ted slung his arms around Scott and pulled him close. “Thanks. I’ll pay for half.” He bit Scott’s earlobe and laughed.
Scott opened his mouth to argue, but Ted said, “Fifty-fifty. We made a deal, and I’m holding you to it. Besides, I have the money from the judge and can’t think of anything better to do with it.” Not even Hawaii sounded as good as building onto his and Scott’s home.
“Okay. It’s settled. Now let’s get your things unpacked and set up. Once we see if it all fits, we can decide on what goes into storage.”
“Right. Yours or mine,” Ted replied.
Scott opened the back of the van, and Ted pulled out the loading ramp. They had a lot of work ahead of them, but Ted didn’t mind. Not when he saw how Scott smiled at him when their gazes met, or how Scott never missed a chance to touch him or brush his hands over Ted’s body as they passed.
For the first time, Ted knew he’d done the right thing in taking a chance on Scott. He just hoped Scott would always feel the same way about him.
“Hey, babe! I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but I sure as hell hope it’s got something to do with my cock in your mouth.” Scott leered at him as he carried a chair up the stairs.
Ted pushed the matching chair to the ramp. “Maybe it does, or maybe it’s my cock in your mouth.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“As long as it’s not your cock in my ass,” Scott muttered.
Ted laughed. “Oh, wolf. It will be. Just give me some time. I’m gonna make you howl for me.”
Scott tripped on the stairs and cursed. “Ho-ly shit!” He looked at Ted and adjusted his dick in his jeans. “You already make me howl, babe.”
“I’m going to do you as soon as I get up there.” Ted trotted down the ramp with the chair.
“I’m planning on it.” Scott picked up the chair and climbed to the porch. Ted groaned as he watched Scott’s tight ass go up the stairs.
“Just wait, wolf,” he whispered so Scott couldn’t hear. “It might not be tonight, but I’m gonna make you fly.”
“I heard that, babe. Wolf ears!” Scott called out.
Ted growled, and his wolf just laughed.
About the Author
Lynn Lorenz lives in Texas, where she’s a fan of all things Texan, like Longhorns, big hair, and cowboys in tight jeans. She’s never met a comma she didn’t like, and enjoys editing and brainstorming with other writers. Lynn spends most of her time writing about hot sex with even hotter heroes, plot twists, werewolves, and medieval swashbucklers. She’s currently at work on her latest book, making herself giggle and blush, and avoiding all the housework.
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Other Books by this Author:
In the Company of Men
The Mercenary’s Tale
Jackson’s Pride
Baymore’s Heir
His Duke’s Gift
Silent Lodge
Remember Me
Truth or Lie
Doms of The Chambers series
Geoff and Kit
Harlan and
Robby
Best Vacation That Never Was
Duty Bound
No Good Deed
It Takes a Hero
Rougaroux Social Club series
Bayou Dreams
Bayou's End
Bayou Loup
Bayou Des Enfant
WereWolf Fight League series
Tor
Ashland
Cemeteries
Locke and Blade
Storyville
Coliseum Square
Common Powers series-
Soul Bonds
Rush in the Dark
Edward, Unconditionally
David's Dilemma
On the Streets of New Orleans
New Orleans Second Line
Theodora Lane books
Second Moon
McCallan Werewolf series
McCallan's Blood
McCallan's Heart
McCallan's Secret
Red Velvet Moon
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