Wild Invitation A Psy Changeling Anthology - By Nalini Singh Page 0,71

growl, he grabbed the little box he'd been hoarding for over seven weeks. He was about to walk out the door when he realized that the moment his packmates spotted the shimmery blue wrapping paper and silver bow, they'd stalk him with brazen relish. Digging out the small backpack he used to carry his water and food when he wanted to go into the forest in human form, he stowed the box inside and slung the pack over his shoulder.

Several people said hello as he walked through the den, and he returned the greeting but didn't stop. No one paid him much mind when he knocked on Grace's door - everyone was used to seeing him talk to people from different parts of the den, and in the absence of her two immediate superiors, Grace was the one in charge of her department.

"Just a second!" In spite of her words, it took Grace at least two minutes to open the door, and from her flustered expression and damp hair, she'd been in the shower.

The image of her creamy skin soap slick and slippery wasn't good for Cooper's

self-control. Patience, he snarled at himself, wrenching so hard on the reins that his wolf yipped in protest and his voice came out a near growl.

"Can I come in?"
Declaration of Courtship Chapter 4
CONSCIOUS AT ONCE that he might just have screwed up his attempt at a gentle courtship, he said, "Or we can go outside." Where he could talk her into skin privileges of the sinful kind.

Cheeks flushed with soft color he wanted to lick up, she stepped back.

"No, here's fine."

Not giving her time to change her mind, he slipped inside and nudged the door until it was almost closed, creating the privacy he craved. "Hey." Finally alone with her, her scent caressing his skin, he felt a fraction more in control.

Grace tucked the damp curls of her hair behind her ear, her smile shy.

"Hey."

Pulling off his backpack, he unzipped it to retrieve the box. "I got this for you." He'd never courted anyone before, didn't know if he was supposed to work up to this, but he wanted to give her a present and didn't see the point in pretending otherwise.

A startled look out of chocolate brown eyes before her lashes shaded her expression again. He couldn't wait until she held his gaze anytime she felt like it, though he knew it would take staggering trust on her part - an acceptance that he'd never see any such eye contact as a challenge on the pack level, even were they in the midst of a blazing fight. It was a significant accommodation, but one his wolf was more than willing to make.

Neither part of him wanted his woman to feel at any kind of a disadvantage in a relationship.

Of course, he thought as she accepted the gift with a husky "thank you," if she felt the urge to challenge him on the private male/female level, he'd pick up the gauntlet in a heartbeat. The thought of Grace trusting him enough to play with him on such an intimate level made his entire body tighten in need.

"Here." He held out his hand for the ribbon she'd untied.

When she handed it over with a deeper smile, he dared step an inch closer, his wolf brushing against his skin. She proved as impatient with presents as he was - the paper tore, and a few seconds later, she held the box in her hands.

Taking the paper, he watched as she removed the lid of the box. Nestled against the white satin within, the blue glass of the bracelet almost glowed, the tiny daisies captured in each of the square links appearing to have been picked but a moment ago.

"Oh!" A captivated gasp. "How did you know?"

He grinned, smug, and shoving the used paper and ribbon into his backpack, let it drop to the floor. "I have my ways." He'd seen daisies in the vase she kept in her office, had noticed she sometimes wore a dress patterned with the same flower - a floaty, summery thing that made him want to tumble her into his lap and demand a hundred laughing kisses. "You want me to do it up for you?"

"Thank you, Cooper."

He could listen to her lips shape his name forever. Muscles taut against the urge to cuddle her close, his own personal bundle of warm, trusting woman, he went to do up the clasp. His fingers appeared too big, too clumsy for the task