Touch of Desire Read Free Page B

off?”
    Fear settled in her chest and burned its way to her belly. “No! Please don’t.”
    “Okay. But if you can’t handle it and he pushes too hard, you know you can come to me and Luna.”
    Nodding, Cora sidestepped a toddler running full force after a ball toward the woods behind them. She scooped him up and tapped his nose. “No, sir.”
    “Ball.”
    “I know, Brian, and I’ll get it.” She set him on his feet. “Now, stay here.”
    She raised a brow and waited. He folded his arms over his little chest, but nodded. Smiling, she jogged after the ball and returned with it. Brian clapped with excitement before taking it from her and throwing it into the small group of children.
    “You’re really good with the kids.”
    She shrugged. “They need direction and love.”
    Cam leaned into her so their shoulders pressed together. “So does Torin. Think of him as a big kid.”
    “A big, sexy, aggressive kid,” Cora said dryly. “I can’t even look him in the eyes. Not even after he asks. And the passion he stirs inside me is frightening.”
    “But you like it, right?”
    Cheeks heating again, Cora nodded. “Yes. Even though I may die from sensory overload.”
    Cam laughed so hard Cora thought the female would fall to the ground. “Not possible. Trust me. I’ve been pushed over the edge many, many times.”
    Cora shuttered. “I couldn’t imagine two of them. Although Graham is a beta.”
    “Believe me, he can alpha up when he wants or needs to.”
    “One Torin is enough for me.” Cora’s laughter faded as she caught the scent of the wolf in question. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied Torin crossing the nursery courtyard, on a direct course for her.
    “Oh, I almost forgot. Keegan arranged a job for me. I start today.”
    Cam smiled as she looked at her. “I know. Alec told us last night at dinner. Congrats. It’s perfect for you.”
    The other female’s praise and confidence in her made a lump form in Cora’s throat and her heart swell with pride. She hugged Cam. “Thank you. It’s so good to hear it from you.”
    Cam returned her hug. “It’s true.” She released Cora. “Now go before your male grows more impatient.”
    Feeling a little less anxious, Cora turned and met Torin halfway. “Hi.”
    He kissed her on the cheek and took her hand. “Morning. Did you eat?”
    “Yes. Cam and I ate with the kids.”
    “Good. Are you ready to go meet your team?”
    Excitement and anxiety swirled the butterflies in her belly, but she took a deep breath and nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
    “Come on then. I have to run into town for Alec first.”
    “Sounds great.” She drew in a deep breath and released it as she followed him to his truck. This was going to be one long day.
     
     
    ****
     
     
    Torin white-knuckled the steering wheel as he pulled into the main entrance of Ashwood. Cora’s lily scent filled his truck, driving him and his wolf insane. It didn’t help since she barely said a word the whole trip into town and back. Instead, she had her attention focused on her tablet.
    “Alec is really impressed with your design ideas.”
    “Really?”
    He shook his head. He brought up their task, and she paid attention. Okay, he could work with that.
    “Yep. It’s all he talked about this morning with your team. I tuned most of it out because it started to sound like a foreign language.”
    She laughed, soft and song-like. “I guess it could be to someone not familiar with it.” She turned off her tablet and closed the cover. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a terrible companion this morning.”
    He relaxed. He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I know you’ll be great.”
    She turned to peer out the window to hide the fact she was blushing. “Thank you.”
    Releasing her hand, he pulled into the gravel parking lot next to the office complex. He hopped out of the truck and took a deep breath, trying to clear her from his senses. She needed space. She needed to be able to come