Chapter Ten
“Jess? You want me to take a shower? Heaven help me, I can’t think straight.”
Her smile had a wicked edge as she looked at him. “Heaven can’t help us, Seb, and I’m tired of thinking.” She eased her wrists from his grasp, looping them around his neck, taking soft teasing kisses from his lips.
The gentle scent of honeysuckle surrounded him as her fingers teased the hair at the nape of his neck, making him shiver. Any hope he had of rational thought fled as she lifted her hips, the warm heat of her pressed against his shaft, and he groaned low in his throat.
Her soft palms came to rest on his chest, as she pushed out from under him, rising. She took his hand in both of hers, tugging him to his feet, as she backed away, pulling him with her.
The darkness of the hallway leant her lavender irises an unearthly glow, and the thought struck him that he would follow those eyes into any hell.
His mind whispered nonsensical words; words that went unnoticed when faced with Jess, and the silky warmth of her hands enclosing his.
He felt no desire to fight the hypnotic pull he felt for her. Since he’d woken, the rage, panic and confusion had welled up, continually threatening a spiral of despair and madness. Only her closeness blocked it out, burned all thoughts from his mind, leaving nothing but the heavy weight of his sack, the rigid shaft that he was desperate to slide into her.
Images flickered behind his eyes of gripping her hips, palming her soft skin while her violet eyes watched.
Enough.
Jerking her to a stop a few inches from the door, he looped his cuffed wrists over her head, traveling the length of her body, gripping the cheeks of her buttocks.
Lifting her from the floor, he crushed her between his body and the wall, cupping her, grinding his hips against her softness to show her how badly he ached.
Her hands braced against his chest, as she lifted briefly startled eyes to his face, before they drifted shut.
He went still as he watched her; the flush on her cheekbones, her full lips slightly parted. Finally bringing his lips a breath away from hers, he pressed heavily against her, reveling in the undulations of her hips. But it wasn’t enough, he had to see her.
“Open your eyes.”
***
Opening her eyes, she stared up into his. They were black, but now a lighter ring circled his irises, glowing. That same feral smile greeted her as she looked at him.
Circling his hips, he forced his shaft across the seam of her jeans, the heavy ridge pressing too briefly against the perfect spot, causing her ass to jerk in his grip in a desperate attempt to get closer.
But he had thoroughly wedged her in, his breath hot as he gazed at her. She felt the unfamiliar squirm of embarrassment; he was turning her on, watching her while he did. She’d never felt so exposed. He was learning her, and she was losing the upper hand…
Another slow roll of his hips and thoughts of keeping her wits about her were lost.
Clutching his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his lean hips, linking her ankles together as her head tipped back against the wall, eyes closing on a sigh as she brought him that fraction closer to the empty, aching heart of her.
“Uh-uh, look at me.”
The low whisper of his words sent a shiver across her skin, but the rolling of his hips had stopped, and she couldn’t bear that.
He laid his lips on the skin just below her ear, and sucked hard enough to leave a slight mark, resuming the roll of his hips as he caught her gaze.
“If you don’t look at me, how do I know if you like it?”
Her hips ached to thrust up, but she was trapped by the wall and his weight, and she was becoming increasingly frustrated by his game. She released a pent up breath, her voice scratchy as it came out. “Seb, I do. But I want…” Her voice trailed off.
“What do you want, Jess?”
She frowned as he continued to smile down at her.
“I…” She unclasped her legs, and he eased back a fraction of an inch to allow her feet to touch the floor, before softly saying, “I want these clothes off.”
He gave her ass another heavy squeeze, as if in reward. “Okay.”
Gripping the tattered fabric of his shirt, she began pushing it over his shoulders, she’d worry about the cuffs when she got to them—but before she could, he released her, lifting his arms over her head, stepping back to lean against the opposite wall, facing her.
“You first.”
The dare in his voice was unmistakable, and the flip-flop in her stomach had her wondering if she was nervous or excited.
“Afraid?”
She baulked at his comment, as he threw her own word back at her. Glaring at him in the dimness, her eyes flickering as if electrified. She dropped her voice to a purr as she swept her hair over her shoulder. “Oh bless. Newly-turned halfling, you have no idea what it would take to scare me.” She unzipped her boots, kicking them off, hoping he never discovered her irrational fear of frogs, before reaching for the hem of her t-shirt, yanking it up. His light tut had her stopping to stare at him, her shirt halted across her midriff.
“Slowly, Jess.” Pushing away from the wall, his cuffed hands brushed hers as they both grasped the t-shirt. “It’s not a race.”
What little advantage the heel of her boots had given her was lost as he towered above her.
He gathered the cotton in his hands, leaning in to brush her lips with his, following with a slow delve of his tongue between her teeth, stroking her.
He felt the cotton give and stretch beneath his grip, and careful to avoid the swell of her breasts, he eased it over head, dragging the shirt up her arms and stopped.
Looping the shirt double, he secured her wrists, trapping her arms in front of her.
Her lush breasts were forced closer by the confinement of her arms, nearly spilling from the frothy black bra.
Her hair shimmered around her, her lavender eyes swirled with intensity as she looked up. She was breath-taking to him.
“Something tells me you don’t have any intention of taking my cuffs off, so at least this way we’re even.”
Undoing her belt and the buttons of her jeans he knelt, tugging them down the smooth expanse of her legs, leaving her in sinfully small underwear. The tiny piece of lace was held in place by thin scraps of silk that crisscrossed over her hips. His breath shallowed as he traced the pattern it made on her skin.
Forcing himself not to rush, he leant forward, touching his tongue to her navel, before trailing licks and kisses up the center of her body.
His hands pressed flat, fanning across her stomach, soaking up the honeysuckle scent that was purely hers.
Her pearly skin was rose petal soft beneath his lips, and her little pants made his stomach clench.
The slender shape of her felt delicate, almost fragile, beneath the rough heat of his palms; the smooth slope of her stomach had him groaning. As he turned his face against her flesh, she trembled beneath him, and his fingers teased the underside of her bra.
Her bound hands settled on the back of his head, the coolness of her touch a welcome relief from the burning.
Looking up, her eyes glowed down at him. Her hair fell in waves around them, whispering across his forearms. The lush swell of her breasts were a breath away, and he couldn’t wait any longer to feel the weight of her.
Coming to his feet, he trapped her bound hands between the press of their bodies. Reaching out, he traced the edge of her dainty bra, watching his darkly tanned skin touch her pale flesh.
Molding his palms around her, he finally held the lushness of her breasts, loving the sound of her gasp as his thumbs swept over the tight nipples.
His gut clenched at the sound, and he allowed himself one more sweep of his thumbs before capturing her soft lips, taking kisses across her jaw. Easing his body away from hers, he whispered at her ear, “Help me get my clothes off, Jess.”
Her heavy-lidded eyes looked down at his cuffs. As her eyes travelled up his body, it was as if he could feel her gaze. She took the tattered collar of his shirt in her hands, and caught his eyes. “Trust me?”
Offering her a single nod, her palms began to hum, crackling with electric. The blue fissions left her fingers, leaching into the fabric, turning it to dust across his body, leaving static in its wake.
Her little grin was alive with a mix of lust and mischief as she placed her palms together, letting the current travel through her, and the binding at her wrists dropped to the floor.
Reaching up to sweep her hair across her shoulder, she ran her finger down the center of his chest. “I can’t be held for long.”
Taking his hand, she pulled him into her hazy bedroom. The delicate line of her spine drew his eye to the sway of her hips, and the way the string sat between her round cheeks left him panting.
Her ass was perfect; neat and pert. His palms itched to touch and mold.
She flipped a switch, casting a low glow across the en suite, and turned on the shower. The stream swirled around them.
There was so much of her to look at he didn’t know where to begin as she came towards him.
Her waist nipped, to flair over full hips. Tiny strips of black lace crossed her milky skin, and her long hair streamed across her shoulder, almost reaching her navel. Her lavender eyes radiated power, and he knew he was lost.
She looked like sin, and he needed to touch her.
Seb toed off his shoes as she came to a standstill before him. Her movements slow and deliberate as she grasped his belt, releasing the buckle, and then each button on his jeans.
Sliding her palms beneath the waistband across his hips, she pushed the denim, and boxers down his legs, her nails lightly scraping the top of his thighs as she did so.
Her eyes fastened on his cock, her tongue dabbing her lip as she looked at it, and he knew he stood a little prouder at the way her eyes had widened at the sight of him.
Taking a step away from him, her glance was almost coy as she reached behind her, releasing the clasp on her bra.
As the straps slid down her arms, her beautiful breasts swayed with the rhythm, the dusky nipples already hard, waiting for his lips.
As she pushed the thong over her hips, she’d just dropped them to the floor when he moved, unable to wait a moment longer.
Taking her wrist, he pulled her to him, and his lips crashed onto hers, as her arms wrapped around him.
He backed her into the shower, her gasp filling the air as he pressed her to the cold tiled wall, his kiss carnal and raw.
The hot water hit his back, sluicing down his skin, as he pressed against her. The mounds of her breasts pressed into his chest, her silky legs rubbed against his hair-roughened thighs.
Blood pounded around his body, roaring in his ears at his need to take her, and he broke their kiss. Licking a trail of water from her throat, groaning, as he tried desperately to claw back some control.
He wanted her to need him; wanted her to ache.
Taking a breath, he watched her heavy eyes open, watched her soft lips form his name as a question, as he went onto his knees before her.
Sliding his palms down the length of her thigh to her knee, he lifted her leg, slowly placing it over his shoulder, loving the excitement that flared in her eyes as he held her gaze. “Don’t move.” He whispered the demand as he leant closer to her, keeping his eyes locked with hers as his tongue touched the smooth flesh of her pussy.
Her folds were slick, and he moaned against her, long and low as he delighted in her taste.
Her breaths were already coming fast, her small whimpers urging him on, as shivers raced through her.
He took slow laps, loving the way her legs trembled against him, as he settled into a slow circular rhythm, around the nub of her desire.
Her fingers clenched in his hair, bordering pain as she rolled her hips with him, following his tongue. And he loved it—the taste of her, the sounds of her panting cries and begging whispers, the movement of her body.
He kept up the soft motion of his tongue, as he trailed his fingertips up and down the inside of her thighs, drawing ever closer to the throbbing heat of her.
He heard the moment her cries changed, becoming almost desperate as she neared, and as much as it pained him, he drew away, leaving her on the cusp, her longing sighs ringing in his ears.
Standing up, he lifted his cuffed arms over her head, jerking her to him, picking her up.
The length of him slipped against her wet folds, making them both moan, until finally he pressed the head of his shaft to her center, pushing into her delicious tightness.
She fluttered around him, showing how close she was, and he had to grit his teeth to stop from shoving into her slick depths.
But as her legs wrapped around his hips, he knew it was hopeless; the first sweet circling of her hips on him rent his control, sending him over the edge.
Pinning her back to the wall, he grasped her buttocks in his hands, kneading the flesh as he stroked fully into her.
Steam billowed around them as he made long surging thrusts into her sweet depths, the urge to come rolling up his back, as, finally, she broke around him, her high cry lifting.
He gritted his teeth, as her sheath clenched and she arched into him, urging him deeper.
Her feathery moans filled the shower stall, her head arched back in abandon as he watched her. A flush filled her face, her lips trembling as she came.
As her climax ebbed, he couldn’t hold on any longer. But as he pulled from her, her hand instantly reached for his length.
Her grip was firm as she held him, and her moan rang out in unison with his at her first long, stroke.
The wet heat of her lips touched his jaw, as she leant into him. Her slippery breasts slid against his chest as she whispered to him, her words intensifying the pounding of his blood.
The heavy stroking of his shaft continued as the water sluiced across them. He slitted his eyes open, finding her iridescent, glowing gaze watching him. Waiting for him to come.
With a shout he threw back his head, pumping into the watery jets, his lips finding hers and taking them, in a raw mating as she melted against him.
***
As his forehead touched hers, a satisfied smile touched her lips, and her eyes blinked slowly open, to be greeted by the sight of fangs.
Her breath caught, and, despite just having had a pretty spectacular orgasm, lust pooled at the sight of his sharp, pearly points. Who knew she had a dangerous complex?
His own eyes sleepily opened, water spiking his lashes, and as he smiled down at her, his normal brown eyes were now fully black, with the lighter ring from before seeping into the inky depths.
His lips gently meet hers, and his arms tightened warmly around her.
As she watched him, she realized he had no idea. His own satisfaction was clear in the long ‘hmm’ he murmured in her ear, as he rubbed himself against her, softly stroking her ass.
He seemed to be praising her?
Slowly pulling her away from the wall, he lifted his arms from around her, softly touching her face as he drew away, leaving her feeling suddenly bereft, even in the hot shower.
“Jess, can we take these cuffs off now?” Her eyes darted up at his question, and the alarm in her gaze brought him to a standstill. “What’s the matter?”
She gestured towards him with a guilty shrug, not wanting to kill the mood. And even though she thought his fangs were hot, she needed to assess whether or not he had other urges building. “Your eyes, and your fangs… They’re out.”
As his tongue touched the tip of a lethally sharp fang she almost couldn’t suppress the urge to moan. What the hell is wrong with me? “Do you feel anything? Rage, hunger… Anything at all?”
Pushing out of the shower, he wiped his big hand across the mirror, staring at himself.
She felt the tension begin a heavy churn through him, filling the room, and she mentally threw up her barriers.
She’d need to hoard the energetic boost their shower time had given her, if she was going to hold off a crazy werewolf.
Stepping from the shower, she caught his gaze in the mirror, and cautiously touched his shoulder. “Seb?”
Whirling on her, he threw his cuffed hands towards her. “Christ, Jess, you look like I’m about to attack you. I’m not a monster about to pounce! And you sure didn’t think so ten minutes ago.”
Standing naked in front of an angry vampire didn’t work for her, and she reached for a towel and wrapped it round herself. “That wasn’t what I meant. I just thought you might be struggling against an urge, or something.”
Clearly trying to hold on to his temper, he pulled a towel from the rack, struggling to wrap it round his hips until she helped him.
“This Jess,” he gestured at the towel, “this is exactly it. I can’t stay handcuffed until we can figure this out. I haven’t hurt you, and the only urge I have is to take you back to bed. How dangerous can I be?”
“I don’t want you to hurt yourself!” The words rushed from her lips as she jabbed him in the chest. “You said you’d rather die than feed, and that doesn’t work for me.” She stalked from the bathroom, slightly surprised to find October sunlight streaming into the bedroom.
Realization dawned as she stood in the middle of the room, dazedly turning full circle, rushing back to stop him from entering, only to find him a pace behind her, his face angry as he spoke.
“You honestly think I would kill myself?” He lifted his hands as he spoke, his tone incredulous. He sat on the edge of her bed, leaning his forearms on his spread legs, as he looked at her. “Let’s not write me off just yet, Jess, okay?”
Rubbing her forehead at the start of a pounding headache she stared at him until he raised his brows at her. “What?” His tone was that of a belligerent teenager.
Furiously pointing at the window, she widened her eyes at him in exasperation. “Err… sunshine, bright, middle of the day sunshine.”
Looking down at the midday rays that lay across his bare skin, he heaved in a sigh, his face mirroring the confusion she felt.
“Well, it didn’t get me this morning, why would it now? What are we supposed to make of any of this?”
“I don’t know.” Huffing, she crossed the room, and sank down on the bed next to him, linking her hand with his. “I just wondered if the faint early morning light was too weak to count. Now, I don’t know; maybe it’s because we’re inside, maybe it has to be direct sunlight—I just don’t know.”
Pursing his lips he squeezed her hand. “Let’s find out.”
“What? Why?”
“Jess, we can’t just sit here and wait to see if I suddenly become some rabid thing that you have to put-down. So let’s get the answers while we can.”
It was odd, having a man in her house. She’d found a hoodie of Adam’s in the bedroom he’d stayed in, and thrown Seb’s jeans in the dryer.
And here he was, getting dressed in her room, while she did, using her hairbrush, and standing at her mirror.
She laced up her walking boots, thinking all this ‘getting dressed for the day’ business could be a big waste of time if his skin started to fry the minute they opened the door.
But he was right, they had to find out what they could, and the sooner the better. And despite their bitter overexposure to the elements as they’d raced out of London yesterday, the bright, crisp October afternoon was calling her.
Following him out into the living room, she stood at the patio doors. “Just stand back in the shadow, okay? Let me open the door, then edge forward, maybe put your hand out.”
She could’ve slapped him for the amused look on his face, but she threw him a glare instead, as she turned the key.
Easing the door open, the sharp sea air blew in, filling her lungs with home, and she clung to the desperate hope that everything was going to be okay. That they could get through this.
Slamming a lid on that thought, she looked back at him. She was going to have to deal with whatever it was between them, she knew that. She just wasn’t ready to do it yet. And she had enough to deal with right now anyway.
Ignoring the faint cackling of the spirits that gently reached her, she mentally threatened a withdrawal of all mint humbugs, and it subsided into whispering titters.
His eyes had closed as the breeze reached him; he too seemed to be drawing strength from the salty wind. Slowly lifting his hand into the shaft of natural light, they both waited, breaths suspended.
Until her patience ran out. “Well?”
Looking up at her, wonder lit his face. “I can feel it.”
Going to him, she slowly touched the back of his hand, shaking her head in question. “Feel what?”
Taking a step fully into the light, he walked towards the open door, his warm hand held hers, as he pulled her with him.
She was nervously watching him as they stepped outside, until he stopped suddenly, leaving her gasping and trying to pull him back indoors.
He was immovable. Racing round in front of him, the pure joy on his face tugged at her heart. “Seb?”
“I can feel the sea, Jess.” He stared out over the dunes, looking at the rise and fall of the sandy knolls, and the yellow grasses that had always brought her such happiness, such peace.
“I can feel the salt on my skin, and the wind. I can smell everything.”
She swallowed over the lump in her throat at the relief and happiness pouring from him. Reacting on instinct, she reached into her pocket and took out a key.
Taking his cuffed hands, she lifted wet eyes to him with a smile as she unclicked the lock. “We’re going to work this out, okay?”
Undoing the cuffs, she pushed them in her pocket.
His warm palm slid along her jaw, lifting her face to his, so he could touch his lips to hers. The sweet bolt of happiness tripped through her like a lightning strike. Knowing her eyes would be glowing lavender, she looked up to find his own brown eyes, churning with a grey black mix, smiling into hers.
“Let’s go down to the sea.” Tugging her with him, he stepped off the decking onto the sand and pebbles, drawn as ever, to the water.
Jess looked across the long stretch of dunes and beach. A few dog-walkers loitered in the distance, but none strayed this far down. The late autumn sun had chased away the clouds, leaving a high bright sky. The crisp air still held tiny tendrils of summer that clung to the breeze, but it wouldn’t be long before winter frosts cloaked the landscape, leaving a grey and churning sea.
The tide had drifted out, and the low surf meandered up the shore. Her hand was warm, wrapped in his, and her eyes stung with emotion and relief, as the sea refilled not only her energy, but her joy and calmed her soul.
Last night was a lifetime ago, and standing here on the beach could be nothing more than a stolen weekend from London. If she wiped her mind she could believe for a minute that they’d snuck off, and they could go back to their normal lives.
Just for a minute.
But they couldn’t.
His life had been ripped apart, and she’d stood with him, giving her loyalty to a man she hardly knew.
He bent down to pick up a shell, turning to show her the intricate spiral, and as she touched its ocean-washed smoothness she looked up at him, seeing in his eyes the spark that had drawn her to him in the first place—kindness, laughter, a sense of integrity. There was something innate that drew her to him, and seeing him in danger had blown that wide open, leaving her unable to hide it. She’d fallen for him. She’d be afraid later, she’d panic about not wanting to be tied down later. She’d worry that it was all too soon, and too quick, later.
But as she stared up at him, feeling the smooth shell beneath her fingers, and letting the magnitude of the last weeks pour through her, she knew all the fear and panic in the world wouldn’t change how she felt.
Acknowledging her feelings had them swelling up inside her, static fissions dancing from her fingertips vibrating the shell in his palm. He laughed at the tiny shocks that danced across his skin, and the natural markings of the shell turned lavender, winding round the spiral, changed forever.
Closing his hand, he put the shell in the pocket of his jeans. “I’ll keep it. It’ll be my charm.”
Going on her toes, she pressed trembling lips to his, the act all the more intense from her self-admission. “It will always bring you luck.”
Deepening the kiss, he threaded his fingers into her hair, making her shiver. His fangs were nothing more than little points as she twirled her tongue with his.
His arms wound round her waist, tightening as he pulled her closer to him, as he nipped and tasted her.
Gently easing away from him, she just stared, unsure of what she’d say if she spoke.
As the wind picked up her hair, he reached up, tucking it behind her ear, and grinned. “Pretty thing you are.”
Laughing at his unexpected compliment, she smiled back, wanting to draw his attention away from her, away from the emotion she was sure was plainly printed on her face. “Why, thank you. And what about my beach, that’s pretty spectacular too, huh?”
Glancing behind her and then back up at her little cottage, he nodded. “It’s gorgeous. No wonder you like coming home.” And just that quickly the moment was gone, reality flooded back in. “Jess.”
His voice cracked as his head dropped to hers and she cupped his face in her palms. She shouldn’t have taken off the damn cuffs. He’d convince himself that doing something stupid would be better for everyone, or some such crap. Just as she opened her mouth to threaten fire and brimstone if he tried anything, he lifted his head, his churning eyes alert as he looked around them, stiffening in her arms.
Whatever it was he’d picked up on it seconds before her, and she looked around them with wide eyes, shocked that she’d been so idiotic as to think this was a good idea.
She turned hurriedly, grabbing his hand, pulling him with her. They shouldn’t be this far out in the open.
Picking up pace, they broke into a run, across the sand and up onto the decking. Ushering him in, she closed and locked the patio door behind her, turning to find Jason standing before them.
A stunned shriek left her lips as she swept Seb behind her, power flying from her palms, capturing Jason with a bolt, lifting him from the floor.
He hung suspended, unable to move.
“Jess?” Seb had come to stand beside her. “Jess, let him go.” He was stoic next to her. He’d thrown his shoulders back, like he was going to do the right thing.
She shook her head vigorously at his hushed words. Her hair was shaking around her, as she continued to keep Jason pinned. “I can’t. You don’t understand, Seb.” Tears stung her eyes as she looked at the face of her friend; his eyes beginning to change as he fought her hold on him. Fought the confinement. “He’ll have no control…” Her voice hitched, as her mind raced through ways to get them out of here without having to hurt Jason. “Once he scents vampire—”
The strength of Jason’s beast was already pushing against her, desperate to rise up and protect him from her. She could feel her hold on him weakening with each second. She kept the beam as gentle as she could, not wanting to hurt him. But at her words his arms, head and shoulders broke free, his eyes narrowing with ferocity.
“Vampire.” He dragged his hands across his body, trying to physically push off her binding, as he bellowed at her. “Vampire!”
A sob caught in her chest, his burning anger sweeping over her. It was taking everything she had to hold him.
When he realized she wasn’t going to answer he whipped his eyes to Sebastian. “Where is it, Seb?” His voice was a low growl, as he repeated the words.
Seb hung his head, his hand on his chest. His words were barely a whisper as they scratched from his lips. “It’s me, Jase. It’s me…”
Holding him got suddenly easier as he abruptly stilled, staring at Sebastian, his movements wolf-like as he scented the air, leaning forward as best he could.
Jess’s heart was pounding in her chest, fear tripping along her nerve endings as she waited for the eruption. Knowing she’d have to strike him down.
But none came.
Jason’s head reared back, confusion furrowed his brow as he shook his head. “You’re a… You’re a…” His voice trailed away.
Lifting his head, Seb gave him a sad smile, saying what his friend could not. “A vampire.”
Jason’s eyes widened in shock, and as Jess watched she knew she was missing something.
“What? No—”
“Jase.” Seb’s hushed voice cut of his friend’s denial. “Please, Jase, I know we’re sworn enemies or…” Seb floundered for the words. “But I need you to help me.”
Jason angled his head to look at Jess, and she could see his eyes had completely shed their wolfy rage. “Jess, for gods’ sakes, will you let me bloody down.” She hesitated. He seemed to have total control, but if she released him and he changed, she’d never hold him off…
“I can’t, Jase. I can’t let you hurt him, I know he’s a v—”
Stopping her words with a huff, he crossed his arms. “Vampire—yes, I know that’s what you two both think. But he’s not.”
Seb’s head snapped up, as he walked across the room.
Jess gasped, drawing Jason closer to her, yanking him across the room away from Sebastian. “Seb! Will you get back!”
Jason’s arms jerked out to steady himself, and he glared at her. “Bloody hell, woman! Will you stop spinning me around? I’m liable to throw up.”
Seb turned on Jess, raising his hands in exasperation. “Jess, will you please just put him down.” Turning to Jason, he looked questioningly at his friend, his eyes full of hope. “Then what am I?”
A raw grin split Jason’s handsome face. “Buddy, you’re a wolf.”