He slipped an arm under her. He had to have her come. He needed to see it. Needed to be a part of her body when she was so vulnerable. So he could have her pleasure.
Hazel knew. Somehow, she knew. Maybe it was as it should be. This sex was different. She ran her hands through his hair, down his face. She put her hand on his heart.
This was where they started.
Wolf slipped a hand between them, needing her panting more than his own breathing. The build was slow at first, and he witnessed a tempest in her eyes before she was forced to seal them shut. The moisture from her wet him, and it was all he needed to focus on his own release. She urged him on even in the throes of her own pleasure.
And when he came, it was into her. He got why men fought to protect a woman. He got why they would drive across country, why they would settle down.
It was her. She. Hazel was his to betray, to make proud, to hold.
It was overwhelming. He put his face against her shoulder as his last thrusts didn’t bring a wave of the need to abandon as they had in the past. Instead of fear rushing in, her welcome became his home.
She hugged him then, kissed his temple like she loved him. She breathed her praise in his ear. Her thanks.
Wolf rolled to his side and pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her head, and then the tip of her nose and her lips.
His breaths were shaky. He loved her. It was far too soon, but he was the last person on the face of the earth to say that to anyone, considering he watched love at first sight happen on the regular.
Hazel’s skin was warm. He touched as much of it as he could.
“I shouldn’t have let you leave my office before. But now, having had you here, in private, I’m glad. This was meant to be savored.” He touched her nipple with his index finger and tried to decide what made it the most perfect one he’d ever seen. Or licked. Or sucked. The color? The perfect pucker?
Hazel was silent. She didn’t say anything and she wasn’t smiling. Wolf felt a flicker of fear light an ice fire at the base of his spine. Could he be wrong? Was what he’d just felt only one-sided? He couldn’t be wrong. He was a goddamned savant when it came to this stuff.
And then she whispered, “Maybe you should go.”
Chapter 29
And this is when it ends
Hazel knew she was in love with Wolf. It hit her in the heart so fatally, seeing him above her, giving her the most protective look ever, that she was on the verge of telling him.
But she remembered the last time she’d felt that way. The last time she’d uttered those words. She’d said them too soon. She’d said them on the tail end of an orgasm.
And now she knew she’d been wrong. What she'd felt for Scott was her desire to be in love.
What just happened with Wolf had made him a part of her soul. She swore she felt their futures touch. And she was petrified. Hazel had to get him out of her place before she screwed up. Before she told him what she was desperate to say. It was right on the tip of her tongue.
It was crazy how powerful the word was in this situation. How easily she could wound herself with it and scare him away.
At work, she said it all the time. She told her kids she loved them all the damn time.
Wolf was the love of her life. She knew that as clearly as she knew her name. If she were a matchmaker, she would bet on him and her.
So when she asked him to leave, it was her last chance at self-protection. She watched him close his eyes for a moment. His jaw tensed and he shook his head the tiniest bit. He swallowed. In her throat, the words she wanted to say were stuck on the flypaper of her past experience. It was like watching him lose a belief—seeing the disappointment hit him.
While Wolf got up and put his clothes on, he seemed to start and stop an argument four different times. “You know what, Hazel? Be safe. Be good. I wish you happiness.” He gave her a little bow and walked out of her bedroom.
She changed her mind and ran after him just as the front door closed. By the time she got her robe around her and out to the hall, the elevator was already showing it was on the first floor.
Hazel came back inside and closed her door softly, before leaning against it. Maybe it was a self-fulfilling prophecy, this feeling. It was as if her heart had been torn from its moorings.
Should have just told him. Taken another risk. Pain is just pain anyway, and she was already hurting.
XOXOXOXO
Hazel wanted another chance. She wanted Wolf to come back so she could say better things to him. Let him know that she felt like the most important decision of her life was careening off the road, and she couldn’t stop it. And she wanted to stop it.
When she talked to Claire the next morning, her best friend gave her the news before the bus full of her kids rolled in. Wolf had pushed on to the next stop on the tour because he wanted to lock in the new venue. Hazel was grateful for her full plate at school so she only had small respites of longing for him.
According to Claire, he was gone. He’d texted Chance that he was maybe looking up an old girlfriend. And that was that. Hazel thought at least she would see him at Claire and Chance’s wedding, but even that was up for grabs. Chance had even picked out a substitute best man. And maybe if Wolf did come he would have a date already.
Chance was stressed as he tried to plan the Booty Camp success reunion for a few hours before the rehearsal dinner in the theater while Claire made the last-minute adjustments for their big day.
Hazel threw herself into elaborate lesson plans and redesigned her brag board with the kids’ achievements in the hall outside her classroom twice. Claire seemed concerned, but Hazel put her acting to use—her best friend needed to spend time with her man. Eating food delivered to the school for dinner, Hazel was able to reorganize the kids’ desks and reorder all her sensory activities according to color and preference. There was always work to do in a classroom. And after everyone had left—save for the maintenance crew who always seemed to be running a loud machine—she could cry.
She hated on Wolf’s new girl—who ever she was. And time passed. Days turned into a week and then it was time to face Claire and Chance’s happily ever after.
In an effort to be a good friend, Hazel had helped address invites and even pitched in with Chance and Booty Camp’s last soirée.
On the evening of the rehearsal dinner, Hazel was the point person for the rehearsal decorations as the Booty Camp team cleaned up after the success party. She had baby pictures of Chance and Claire to post and family members to welcome. Luckily, the theater was available for the two-hour party.
She had on her long black dress with the thin straps and had straightened her hair for a change from her loose waves.
She used flowers and some fun decorations to change the atmosphere while Chance worked on last-minute Booty Camp details in his office.
When Chance came out to see how she was doing since he’d let her in with an armload of bags, he was very pleased. He looked tired, though, and she told him as much.
He rubbed his eyes. “I would love a little sleep, but that’ll come eventually. Now, it’s important I make sure Claire has a wedding to remember. I don’t want the rush to take away how special it should be for her.”
Hazel patted Chance’s shoulder. “I think you can’t help but make her happy. Hang in there.”
Chance pulled out his phone. “Oh shit. I forgot to check with this supplier. I’ll be right back. People should be arriving soon. Thank you so much, Hazel. You’re really a wedding planning powerhouse.”
She didn’t tell him that organizing things were a teacher’s strong suit. She added a few more flowers to the sconce lights when she heard the front door open.
It was Wolf.
He was dressed up, and her throat went dry. Wolf in a suit was exactly what Hazel would forever use in her mind’s eye to describe the word sexy.
He met her eyes as if he was expecting her.
There was no other woman with him.
And she was grateful.
She was ready for the fighting. Instantly, like his presence reared up her fire. But he crossed the distance to her and put his hand on her lower back, giving her a cheek kiss he would lay on a great aunt.
“Hazel. You look lovely. Nice to see you.” He inclined his head in her direction. “Is Chance around?” he asked as though he’d never tasted her vagina even once.
Two could play at the unaffected game. “He’s in his office. Nice seeing you, as well.”
She turned away from him before he had a chance to block her out first.
As soon as Wolf went into the office she rushed to her purse to text Claire. But then she stopped. This wasn’t the night to drag her friend into her drama. The woman was meeting her in-laws, introducing her parents... she needed only peace and helpfulness from Hazel.
So she packed up the rest of the boxes and started tucking them out of sight. She didn’t want to interrupt Chance and Wolf, so she went to Wolf’s office to slide the boxes away.
Her energy told her he was behind her before her traditional senses noticed. It was dazzling. Then super depressing.
He knocked lightly on his own door.
This was not the man who'd stalked her and claimed her mouth in the past. He was polite. Distant. Like she meant nothing special to him at all.
“Chance mentioned you helped with planning the soirée, so I just wanted to offer you compensation for your time.” He pulled out his wallet.
“I was helping a friend. Not everything is about money.” She felt a chill on her shoulders.
“Of course, but legally it’s better if I make sure everyone who works at Booty Camp is adequately reimbursed for their time and energy.” He started to count the bills in his wallet between his index finger and thumb.
She was done pretending. “Really, Wolf? This is how it is for you? You’re trying to pay me? Should I ask how much I earned when I gargled your dick upside-down on that desk?”
His eyes went wide, and he quickly shut the door. “Jesus, Hazel.”
“Sorry, was I not supposed to mention that service? Or was that part okay to administer to a friend for free?” Hazel put her hands on her hips.
Wolf bit his lips together before looking at her. “I don’t know what to make of you. I honestly don’t. What do you want, Hazel?”
And she didn’t want to tell him. That was pointless and seemed desperate right now. She didn’t want to tell him that she was crazy about him. That he infuriated her to the point of breaking, but his lips were the most tempting thing she’d ever seen. Still. That she wished he could see through her enough to not need her to speak it. Because she wanted at least a little pride at the end of this whole show. And God knew where this old girlfriend he was looking up was. That burned.
“Not you,” she lied. She lied to protect her heart and watched him crumple a little.
He put his hand on the back of his neck, rubbing it. “I got that when you kicked me out last time. Have great sex and then tell me to leave. That’s what Scott taught you, and you’re teaching me, I guess.”
She realized he was right. Except that she’d told Scott she loved him and Wolf had done no such thing. But still. She hadn’t looked at it that way.
She was quieter now, less furious. “I didn’t intend to do that to you. I was scared. I was afraid that it felt too good with you.”
“Well, that’s a hard thing to read in a mind.” Wolf wasn’t any softer, and his glare had an edge. “If I was able to do that.”
“If you could have read my mind it would have been even scarier.” She plucked at an invisible thread on her dress, avoiding the eye contact. She could hear the crowd starting to arrive for the rehearsal party through the office door.
When she looked up, his face was tender again. It was like pouring vinegar on a burn. It hurt less when he was distant.
“What would I have seen in your head, Hazel?” God he was impressive.
It was worse knowing what he did to her. How he’d looked at her the last time they were naked.
She shook her head, refusing to allow him that access.
He stepped closer. “Can I tell you what I was thinking?”
He held out his hand as if for a handshake. She was wary. Was this when he told her that the dates had been nice, but he shook her hand like a friend?
She had no other choice now that he was being nice. She gripped his hand like they were on their best manners and being introduced for the first time. Hazel didn’t give him permission, but when he covered her hand with his other one, her heart was pounding out of her chest.
Even closer. “Can I?”
She nodded her head once, allowing him to open this gate to her hopes one last time.
Wolf changed his grip and brought her hand to his mouth, placing a kiss on her knuckles, before moving in on her more and touching her forehead with his own.
“I was thinking you were amazing. I was thinking that I knew the difference between fucking and making love.”
She inhaled sharply with his use of the filthy word.
“I was wondering if this was how it felt for people to be matched by me.” He nudged her face toward him with his nose and spoke his next words against her lips. “To fall so crazy in love that everything that mattered was right in front of me.”
Like a shot of lightening in her psyche, she was forced to look at him, had to see his mouth so she knew her head wasn’t lying to her.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’ve counted myself out for so long that falling in love with you almost hurt. I tried to screw it up so many times because I’m such a dick. And then I had you. I felt you. I knew this was it. We were it. My future got started right there, in your bed. Hell, it started when I laid eyes on you, but I was too much of a dick to know better.”
He stepped backward then, kissing her hand again before letting it go. She covered her mouth with the hand he'd released.
“You asked me to leave, and I doubted everything I knew to be true. I needed space away from you. I couldn’t see our severed future in your beautiful face. But I missed you. And that’s what I was thinking.”
She spoke but kept her hand over her mouth a little, frightened of what she asked next. “What are you thinking now?”
His wry grin showed a hint of his dimple. “That you are more gorgeous than I remembered. Which seems impossible, yet here you are. That I can’t do this again. I can’t fall so hard ever again. I won’t be able to think straight. I can’t make matches. I won’t. That I can be giving all these people this kind of pain if their match turns them away? It’s torture.”
He shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit pants. “And this is my lot. Because I messed with the system. My mother and grandmother were right. I’m reaping what I've sown by monetizing the family talent.” Wolf shrugged.
Hazel let his words filter through all the walls she’d erected and scars she’d acquired. She realized he’d told her his deepest fear. The teacher in her processed that first. She could fix that. She could reassure him.
“They’re wrong.” She watched him search her face. “You’re a force of love, and that’s not wrong. Claire met the love of her life here. God, how many matches have I seen? Connecting that kind of positivity is powerful. Sometimes change is hard for elders but utilizing technology to help people find love makes sense. Love is never wrong. I think I understand their superstitions because it must be hard to see things evolve rapidly in just one generation. I think you’re entitled to an endless fountain of beauty. You’re not cursed. I don’t believe that.” She stepped across the room and touched his face while he held his breath. “I’m so crazy in love with you, and I’m terrified.”
His eyes widened and then focused. “What?”
“I love you.” Hazel felt like she was falling backward off a sheer cliff. It sounded insane. It felt like a roller coaster. “I know that you’ve moved on. Claire told me about you looking up an old girlfriend…” She wanted to wish him lov
e and joy but her tongue refused to play nice. Instead she just trailed off.
He half smiled while confusion lifted one of his eyebrows. It was like a light bulb went off above him when it clicked. “Oh! I told Chance that so he wouldn’t come to find me. That’s Chance’s thing. He makes sure I’m not self-destructing.” Wolf shrugged as his smile completed itself. “I’m betting he told Claire who told you.”
“So there’s no new lady?” Hazel clapped her hands in front of her and then touched her fingertips to her lips in anticipation of his answer. This could change everything.
“There’s only you.” Wolf slid closer to her, his white teeth blinding when he beamed. “And you love me. So, I’m not cursed?”
Hazel laughed. “Well, some might say falling for me is a horrible curse.”
“We’re saying this? We’re allowed to say this?” He took his hands out of his pockets, ran them up her sides, and wrapped his arms around her.
“I think so. I think we did.” Hazel ran her thumbs over his lips before placing a kiss there. “I love you, Wolf.”
“You’re mine?” Wolf kissed her so much she couldn’t answer so she just nodded, affirming it for him.
She felt a few tears start to fall. Her hands were actually shaking she was so open and scared.
He caught them up and kissed them when he noticed they were trembling. “Don’t. Don’t be scared. We can do this. I’ll make it work.”
“I believe you.”
Trusting him was like watching a mystery revealed. Everything clicked, and finally her rational mind agreed with her heart.
“We’re us now.” He kissed her more, holding her hands between them like they were making a promise. With his delighted smile, her forever began.
Chapter 30
Maid of Honor and Best Man
The kissing and embracing went on far longer than it should’ve considering Hazel was the maid of honor and Wolf was the best man at the rehearsal party on the opposite side of the door.
Hazel was in love with Wolf, but even better, acknowledging their feelings finally allowed them to be friends.
Booty Camp Dating Service Page 17