"I haven't claimed her as mine yet, and she has no idea I'm a werewolf. I'm not sure how she would feel about being turned into one. Give it time. It's too early to be thinking about it right now."
"I understand. Just remember the offer stands. Meanwhile, I'll keep working on Candice. And before you can pull the Grandpa thing on me, I know to be careful. You and Beowulf worry too much. Now let's get back in there before Billie wonders what the hell is going on."
* * * *
Billie took a sip from the glass of red wine Royce had ordered for her. They were now back downstairs sitting at one of the tables in the back corner of the room. She watched the people out on the dance floor as they moved in time to the music thumping out of the club's sound system. The night wasn't exactly going as she had thought it would. Ever since she and Royce had left the small group sitting upstairs in Beowulf's office, he had become a bit withdrawn, lost in his thoughts.
It had to have been something that had been said when he had taken Roxie out in the hall. For when they had returned, Royce had left her with the other women as he went and had a hushed conversation with Beowulf and Wade. Not that she had minded. Billie found Roxie, Taryn and Candice to be very friendly. When they had found out her family owned a gym and what she did there, Roxie had been really interested in hearing what she taught in her self-defense classes. Even Taryn had shown an interest. From there the evening had pretty much gone downhill.
Royce was still lost in thought when Billie turned back to face him. Deciding enough was enough she picked up her wine glass and downed the rest of it in a couple of big gulps. She set the glass down hard, drawing Royce's attention. "Look, I can see you're really not into this. It was nice that you brought me here to meet your friends and all, but sitting here while you stare at your drink isn't exactly what I would call a good time. To be honest, the nightclub thing isn't my cup of tea. It was a great idea to start with, don't get me wrong, but I think maybe it's time I went home. I'll get myself a cab."
Before she had a chance to get up, Royce's hand shot out and clamped around her wrist. His eyes seemed to take on that glow they sometimes had for a split second, then it was gone. "Don't go, Billie. I'm sorry." He rubbed his thumb back and forth across the inside of her wrist. "I seem to have screwed this up royally. Don't for a second think I'm not into you, because I want you. And seeing you in that dress, all I can think about is stripping you out of it. I want to make love to you until all you can think about is having me inside you."
Billie felt her body go into overdrive as an ache built between her legs. Her breath sawed in and out of her lungs as images of Royce doing what he had just said filled her head. "Then take me the hell out of here. Now. If you haven't already figured it out yet, I'm not the type of girl that needs to be wooed first. I want you, and when it comes to men, I like the direct approach. So get me out of here and take me to bed."
"There has to be something to be said about a woman who knows exactly what she wants," Royce said with a grin. He pulled Billie to her feet and gave her a hard, thorough kiss. "I'll make this up to you, all night if I have to."
With her hand held firmly in his larger one, Royce quickly led her out of Wulf's Den. Billie had enough time to wave good bye to Carl and Candice, who had come outside earlier to be with her husband, as they hurriedly walked by. Out of the corner of her eye, Billie saw Candice whisper something in Carl's ear. The big man chuckled and then wished Royce good luck. At this point, she didn't care why Carl figured Royce would need it. All she could think about was the pounding need that was taking over her body. Knowing exactly what was