Quietly creeping out of bed, Dakota pulled on as many clothes as she could find, tiptoeing around the loft. Wes was softly snoring in the bed, splayed out in all his naked glory, and looking as peaceful as a sleeping puppy.

Smiling to herself, Dakota took one last glance at him before climbing down the ladder, quietly opening the barn door, and strolling over to the main house. She knocked on the front door, listening to some rattling, and then footsteps coming from inside.

Mack opened the door, wearing a fresh pair of overalls, a clean but paint-splattered shirt, and a tired smile.

“Good morning,” he said, gesturing her inside. “The barn wasn’t too uncomfortable, I hope.”

Not exactly the word I’d use, she thought, fighting the blush creeping onto her cheeks.

“It was just fine, thanks,” she replied, walking past him and getting a glimpse of the house.

There were different tools and parts scattered around here and there, mirroring the situation outside, but other than that, the place looked clean and cozy, with a large fireplace in the living room.

“I was wondering if I could use your shower?” she asked, giving the man a smile.

“Don’t you want to ask about your car first?” Mack arched a brow at her.

Dakota blinked at him for a second.

“Of course,” she blurted out, in disbelief she had to have been prompted at all.

Yesterday, all she could think about was getting the car fixed, getting back on the road, getting to New York… Now, her brain was filled with images of last night, and memories of Wes’ hands on her body.

But that didn’t mean her mission was any less important to her.

“Did you manage to fix it?” she asked, trying to read the suddenly passive expression on Mack’s face.

He looked at her for a second, rubbing his chin, before breaking out into a big grin.

“I am the best around,” he spread his hands, clearly pleased with himself.

He was also the only one around, but Dakota didn’t think it prudent to mention that.

Relief flooded Dakota, to the point she could have leapt up and hugged Mack. But, she thought better of it, awkwardly clapping him on the shoulder, instead.

“You sure are,” she said, and she could have sworn the man’s cheeks turned a little pink.

“I have it out back, all ready to go. And you’re free to use the shower. It’s upstairs, to the right. There should be fresh towels hanging near the door,” he replied. “I’ll put a pot of coffee on. Your brother still asleep?” he asked, and Dakota couldn’t help but cringe at that.

“Yeah, I let him sleep in,” she replied, before quickly scurrying up the stairs to avoid having to go into any more detail.

Last night with Wes had been amazing. More than amazing even. Earth-shattering would be the correct term, as exaggerated as that sounded even to her. But her giving into her desires didn’t really change anything.

She was still a demon-hunter, and Wes was still part of a pack, waiting for him back in Pinedale.

How did everything get so complicated? she sighed to herself, stepping into Mack’s bathroom. And it’s only going to get more complicated once Wes wakes up.

* * *

Done with her shower, Dakota clutched a towel tightly around herself and dashed down the stairs and to the back of the house, where she found her car in Mack’s own personal little garage.

Wearing nothing but the towel and her boots, with a set of keys clutched in her hand, she made her way to the trunk, and opened the double set of locks. It was a precaution she had taken a long time ago, since she always had a stash of weapons in the car, and she didn’t need anyone accidentally getting an eyeful of her machetes and potions.

Rummaging around in the trunk, she grabbed a backpack full of spare clothes and pulled out some underwear and a sundress she hadn’t worn in a long time. Eyes darting all around her, she ducked behind the car and dropped the towel, getting dressed as fast as she could.

Her damp hair tangled in the straps of her bra as she fussed around, hoping Mack wasn’t about to come looking for her. So needless to say, she jumped when she heard footsteps behind her.

Pulling her dress down in record speed, she whirled around, only to come face to face with Wes.

“Hey,” he tilted his head at her, giving her a quick once-over. “How’s the car?”

“It’s uh… all ready to go,” she stuttered, pulling her hair out from under her clothes and twisting it up into a messy bun. “Mack’s inside, making coffee,” she added, when Wes didn’t say anything. “I… showered,” she offered next, rambling on to fill the silence. “The bathroom is on the second floor, to the right.”

Wes gave her a look that said he really didn’t care which floor the bathroom was on.

“So,” he started, taking a step closer. “Did you not want to wake me because you wanted to let me sleep, or because you’re avoiding me?” he asked, getting straight to the point.

“I’m not avoiding you,” Dakota immediately replied.

She wasn’t, not really. To her surprise, waking up next to Wes had felt… good. She still didn’t think this thing between them could lead to anything long-term, but she didn’t regret anything either. Their night together had been magical, and she wouldn’t want to undo it for the world.

“I just didn’t know what to say,” she sighed, when Wes’ hazel eyes kept boring into her. “I don’t want things to be awkward because of what happened.”

“Why should it be awkward?” Wes raised a brow at her. “We both enjoyed ourselves. We’re still the same people we were before. We’re still on the same mission,” he said. “I think it’s even less awkward,” he shrugged, stepping even closer, until they were face to face. “Because now, I don’t have to hold myself back from kissing you anymore.”

Before Dakota could even say anything, his lips were on hers, soft yet demanding, as he pulled her into a kiss she could get lost in. She reluctantly pulled back when things started to get too heated, glancing back toward the house.

“Mack,” she whispered, and Wes nodded.

“Come on, then,” he said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get some coffee and hit the road.”

Dakota leaned into him, grinning to herself. Could everything really be this easy with Wes? At that moment, she almost believed it. Of course, life had other plans.