“That explains it.”
“Explains what?The bandana?”
“Well, yeah, that…plus your blood.”
“I have Colorado blood?”
“Hell if I know.But the way it sounds in your veins when you’re turned on.It sounds like the rolling rapids of a Colorado river.My grandparents lived in Colorado, and my sister and I went rafting during one of our visits when we were teenagers.I’ll never forgot that sound.It’s…”
“It’s what?”
“Intoxicating.”The word comes out on a growl.
He takes the bandana from me and continues to wipe my face.“You missed some spots.”
“So?”
“So…if I have to look at you wearing my blood for one more minute, I’m going to fuck you right here in my office.”
A sizzling arrow lands between my legs.“And that’s a bad idea because…?”
“It’s a bad idea because this is my workplace, princess.I can’t bring anything personal here.”
“So you’re saying you want me?Is that it?”
“I think that’s clear.”
“Why the brush-off this morning, then?Why the ‘have a safe trip’ bullshit?”
He brings the bandana—now soiled with his own blood—to his nose and inhales.
I cock my head.“Rogan, what the hell are you doing?”
“I don’t smell anything.Maybe something slightly metallic.”
“Wolves don’t smell others?”
“Oh, we do.That’s how we recognize each other, but we don’t smell blood.”
I curve my lips upward slightly.“What do I smell like to you?”
“Like the missing piece of my body,” he says succinctly.Almost too succinctly.
His words warm me, make me want him all the more.“And what does that smell like, exactly?”
He scoffs.“I can’t explain it any more than you can explain why you want my blood.”
“But Icanexplain that,” I tell him.“Your blood tastes like strong coffee, tannic red wine, and the darkest chocolate.Who the hellwouldn’twant that?”
“You didn’t know that before you tasted it,” he says.
“True.But I knew I needed it.Craved it.”
“God.”He rakes his fingers through his long hair, making himself look like a wild man.“I can’t even believe this.”
“What?”
“I told you.You’re my mate.”