The Wolf Fount (18 page)

Maybe her best bet was to stay? Calhoun was an asshole and she hated him, but what better revenge than living off his dime forever? Or however long she ended up living? It wasn’t as though she had to see him every day. “Oh, shit. I forgot.”

At Thane’s questioning look, Morgan scowled. “Calhoun gave me a job as his personal assistant, before all the crap happened. I don’t want to do anything that involves being around him.”

The were-liger nodded and handed over a plate with her sandwich. “Thanks. I guess I’ll have to tell him that.” With a shake of his head, Thane tapped his chest. “You’ll tell him?”

He nodded again, picking up his own plate. They retired to the small kitchen table. “I’d appreciate it. I can’t stand him. Guess you figured that out, huh?”

That earned one of his faint smiles.  She grinned. “I’d kind of like to see it, since you don’t talk. Will it be an epic game of Charades, or are you going to write him a note?”

His smile grew, until a hint of teeth showed. Morgan wondered if she’d ever get a full smile out of him, and then if Thane could write. How hard was it to teach someone to read and write if they didn’t speak and came from some unknown time period?

She couldn’t even ask him such questions, because then he’d know she hadn’t wanted to go to the club just to make nice with Jake. Morgan concentrated on eating, not enjoying the flare of guilt that struck.
How else was I supposed to find out anything? He doesn’t talk to me
.

But Thane did treat her well. If she stayed, why not make certain it was with him?

“Do you like me?”

The were-liger nodded, chewing a bite. He had good table manners, didn’t chew with his mouth open. Morgan smiled. “I like you too.”

Damn if that doesn’t sound so second grade
. “I really appreciate how nice you’ve been to me. I’m kind of a bitch.” Morgan laughed. “Literally now.”

Thane chuckled. It was the first sound other than a purr she’d heard from him, and she liked it. “I’m guessing you don’t have a girlfriend, or I wouldn’t be staying here with you.”

He shook his head, and instead of maintaining eye contact, began to watch his plate.
Holy shit, is he shy
?

That possibility hadn’t occurred to her, and could make things more difficult, or a lot easier. If she decided to stay, and to do so particularly with him. Morgan finished her sandwich slowly, trying to decide what her best course of action was.

If no one was lying, she’d live a long time. That meant she could afford to stay long enough for anyone who knew her to forget her, or even for them to die off. It’s not like she had friends who’d miss her, and she had no idea if her mother was even still alive.

Didn’t really care either.

But wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to care about? Someone who cared back? Morgan carried her plate to the sink and rinsed it. Turning around, she looked at Thane. “Are you just following orders, or are you glad I’m here and you’re having to babysit me?”

The were-liger slowly looked up, and shook his head. She crossed her arms. “You’re not just following orders?”

He shook his head again. “You said you liked me,” well, he’d nodded yes when she’d asked, “so I gotta wonder if the idea of being more than friends has crossed your mind.”

Thane’s eyes slid around the kitchen as though he were looking for an escape before he gave a single, tiny nod. Satisfied, Morgan smiled. “I could be persuaded, especially since you’re the first decent guy I’ve met in ages. Even if you don’t talk.”

He met her eyes, and she watched gold smolder to life in his. “How about we go for a test drive?”

Thane’s eyebrows drew slightly together. She crossed to stand beside him and bent down to kiss him. Pulling slightly back, Morgan said, “I meant in bed.”

His response was a real smile that crinkled the skin at the corners of his eyes.

M
organ quickly realized that Thane wasn’t as well-practiced as Calhoun. The were-liger was far more hesitant, his eyes constantly flicking to her face as though seeking her approval. After years of men not giving a shit and fumbling their way around, or less often knowing exactly what they were doing, she found the change both refreshing and strangely endearing.

She didn’t tell him “Me first or none for you” because it wasn’t necessary. A few words of encouragement, and he was using his tongue like a champ. Eyes closed, Morgan stroked his head, a few moans escaping her.
He’s a fast learner
.

Thane’s fingers gently kneaded her inner thighs.
Just like a cat
. She nearly laughed at the thought, but stopped herself. He wouldn’t know why she was laughing. Morgan didn’t want to hurt his feelings, or put the brakes on the action to explain why, now that he’d gotten the hang of things.

Jake had warned her not to hurt the were-liger, and since he’d also said Thane wasn’t violent, that had to mean he was important to Jake. If Thane were important to Jake, he was probably important to Calhoun too.
And that means being Thane’s girlfriend will give me some protection
.

Morgan had to pause that line of thought as an orgasm built and she came. The second she caught her breath, she made him stop and lift his head. “Your turn.”

It took a few minutes to convince him to lie down, but once he had, she went to work on his cock, using every trick in her blow job arsenal. Thane was blessedly not the rider type. In fact, he didn’t know what to do with his hands while she licked and sucked. Morgan caught one with her free hand to stop him, because the uncertain fluttering and petting quickly got on her nerves.

He came in a shorter time than expected, agitatedly tapping her shoulder in warning. She finished him off with one hand, hiding a smile at his strangled groan. Using the sheet to wipe him clean, Morgan crawled up to kiss him, and discovered he was as quick at Calhoun about recovering and being ready for another go.

Thane didn’t attempt to take charge, even after she rolled a condom on him. Morgan saddled up and slowly rode him, leaning forward to take his mouth from time to time. Now he did know what to do with his hands, without getting in the way of hers as she stroked and caressed him.

Between kisses, he kept looking at her with an expression Morgan hadn’t seen on anyone before, at least not aimed at her: a combination of hope and wonder.

Why
?
I’m nothing special
.

Later, as she lay beside him while Thane dozed off, she thought,
Maybe I am to him
?

If so, he’d be the first to ever truly think that.

T
wo weeks passed, the days and more specifically, the nights, eroding Morgan’s desire to run away. Not catching a whiff of Calhoun helped quite a bit. Her trainers kept their distance during her various classes unless absolutely necessary. If they did have to touch her for any reason, they were quick and impersonal doing it.

She didn’t have to bust her ass to stay fed, and had the unusual luxury of having one man doing nothing but showering constant attention on her. Even a hard-assed ex-hooker could tell the difference between being a temporary plaything and an adored lover.

Thane clearly did adore her, and Morgan was beginning to feel the same way toward him. She’d prided herself on being cold and practical about everything, but he was slipping right through all her defenses and becoming the one person she was certain she could count on, no matter what.

She passed him the pepper grinder as he seasoned pork chops for their dinner.
I think I’m actually falling in love with him
.
This is some scary shit
.

But not scary enough for her to want it to stop.

“Hey.” She waited until he looked at her. “We didn’t go out for drinks last week. How about we do that tonight?”

Sure
. He actually just nodded, but Morgan had begun talking for him in her head, trying to imagine what his voice sounded like.

Her patience in regard to his lack of speech was amazing to her. “Good. Maybe you’ll brave the dance floor with me this time?”

Thane wrinkled his nose and gave a single shake of his head before returning to his spicing task.
No way
.

“How about letting me try and talk you into it? That could be fun.” She slid her hand under his shirt, and tickled the small of his back. His skin flinched, but a grin appeared on his face. “I predict there could be a lot of kissing involved.”

Okay
, his nod said, before he turned and bent his head to deposit a kiss on her lips.

“T
hose two are an odd couple,” Lucas muttered, watching Morgan and Thane step into the elevator. Once the door closed, he added, “Morgan the Mouth and her sidekick, the Silent Giant.”

Brian chuckled. “How do you know he’s the sidekick?”

“Because it’s Thane. He’s been Cal’s sidekick since he was well enough to be around people.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s switched to being her sidekick. She looks to him, not the other way around.”

Lucas shook his head. “Are we talking about the same woman? Because she’s clearly leading Thane around by his pecker. Haven’t you seen the way he looks at her? And he’s
always
looking at her.”

“Why are you in charge again? Because you’re dense as hell.” Brian ducked the casual swat the other aimed at him. “Just because Thane seldom talks, that doesn’t mean he’s an idiot. He’s the leader, because he’s smart enough to give Morgan exactly what she needs, when she needs it. Approval, comfort, space, whatever’s called for.”

“Sometimes I wonder about you. Thane’s not devious. Morgan is. He’s pussy whipped, probably thinks he’s in love, and that she loves him.” Lucas frowned as they reached the elevator, and paused before pushing the call button. “But she’s playing him. Which means sooner or later, we’re going to have a mess to clean up.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a pessimistic douchebag? Because you are. Why would Morgan be playing Thane?”

Lucas shrugged. “Haven’t figured that out yet. All I know is, she’s a hard case and Jana still flinches every time she hears Morgan’s name. And you didn’t see her go after the boss.”

“She was newly Awakened, and Cal screwed things up with her. He said so himself. It’s been a few weeks. Morgan’s adjusted well in that amount of time. Thane’s a big reason she has.” Brian smiled. “Maybe you can’t see it, but Thane’s more confident. Having someone depend on him has been really good for him.”

“She no more depends on him than I do on my dead Aunt Betty.”

“You’re wrong.”

“You wish.” The two entered the elevator.

“I’ll put my money where my mouth is. Two hundred says they’re solid.”

Lucas looked at him and laughed. “You’re on, but I’m curious how you’re going to prove it.”

“I’ll think of something,” Brian said. “Give me a little time.”

C
al finished dressing and left his suite, only to discover Morgan and Thane ensconced at the end of the bar. Worse, they both saw him at the same time, preventing escape.
Well, shit. At least she looked happy right before she saw me
.

Plastering a smile on his face, he walked behind the bar to greet them. “Hello, Thane. Morgan, you’re looking well.”