it seemed to settle a part of her deep inside that had always felt a little uneasy.
Had she ever just held someone’s hand like this before? It wasn’t like she’d really dated. All those casual flings had been perfect for her hectic schedule, but Zoe realized just how much she’d missed out on.
“Everything okay?” Liam asked, glancing at her as he turned into the long driveway that led to the main house.
“Just thinking,” she admitted. “Honestly I can’t remember the last time I had time to think.”
“Hm.” Liam squeezed her hand, carefully steering the truck through the rough road. “You have two weeks until the full moon. Take a few after your first shift too. It’ll help you adjust too. Working as a wolf around humans takes a lot of practice, but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it quicker than most.”
Zoe looked out the window, watching as the trees flew by. Liam was right of course. This new body and everything that came with it was going to take some time to get used to and then she had to figure out where she was going to live her life.
Was this place really so bad? Liam had taken her to see the various hospitals and medical centers. It would be slower work than she was used to, but maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. If she was right, she wouldn’t need a distraction from her self-destructive thoughts and actions like she had before.
Her therapist had applauded her coping mechanisms. Throwing everything into her studies, raising her sister, getting her nursing degree, and then what little off time she’d had was spent on working out or finding hookups.
There had been no time to breathe, but no time to sabotage all her hard work either.
As she watched the main house come into view, Zoe knew it was time for a more permanent change. It wasn’t like she needed the money. Especially if she was going to live here on the property.
Her father and sister were already taken care of back in Colorado. They both had jobs and were doing well. Neither of them needed her anymore, and maybe Zoe had been a little lost ever since she’d realized that.
Liam parked and jumped out to run around the car. She smiled when he opened her door for her, lifting her up and out like a child to set her safely on the ground. Zoe swatted him playfully, hating how small she was sometimes.
“I could get down without hurting myself,” she grumbled, letting him tuck her arm into his side as they headed toward the big house.
“It’s about two feet off the ground and almost half your height.” Liam grinned down at her and winked. “But mostly I just wanted an excuse to touch you.”
“Clearly.” Zoe sounded irritated but she leaned into him, smiling despite how embarrassing it was to be carried like that. “Can I ask you something?”
They stopped just outside the door, Liam waiting expectantly, giving her the illusion of privacy, from whoever was in the house. They could all hear her thanks to their wolf senses, but Zoe didn’t want to feel their eyes too.
“Did you sketch this?” she asked, running a finger over the tattoos on his arm.
“Noah did. I drew his.” Liam studied the tattoos, his smile fading. “We do tattoo work on occasion, but it’s been a long time.”
Zoe traced the wolf hidden among the trees. “Would you draw me something? I’d like to get one like this too.”
Liam’s eyebrows rose and he seemed shocked. Zoe couldn’t decide if his reaction was annoying or embarrassing. Both, she decided.
“You want me to tattoo you?” Liam clarified, studying her arm.
“If you don’t mind.” She reached for the door, ready to escape the heavy scrutiny of his gaze.
Liam pulled her back and she stumbled into his arms. His grin was breathtaking, and Zoe couldn’t blink as she looked up at him. He ran a finger over a strand of hair before leaning down to kiss her softly.
“It would be my pleasure, Zoe.” Liam kissed her again and opened the door, letting her go through first.
Everyone was in the main room. Some were sitting on the couch, or sprawled across it like Noah was, one arm over his eyes as he slept. Others were sitting at the dining room table, or in the kitchen.
She sighed, knowing they’d all heard. At least they pretended they hadn’t as Liam pulled her over to the couch. They sank down next to Noah and