Pounding hits the door, and Carter’s up, moving toward it.

Since Carter sidetracked me this morning with hunting down the realtor, I’ve tried calling him again to no avail. Sad thing is, I was a bit happy he didn’t answer. If he did and Carter and I had to nix this arrangement, I’m not sure how I feel about that at this point. Especially after our time today.

I really thought he was going to have sex with me. When I asked why not, he said, “Izzy, when I take you, I take you mind, body, and soul.” That sent goosebumps all down my spine. The words were so complete, so real, I felt they meant so much than their outward meaning. Even more, I liked it … too much.

Carter is more of a gentleman than his rough exterior lets on. He’s no teddy bear, that’s for sure. Maybe the big bad wolf, with a nice side. I laugh at the thought. Wolf.

Loud talking comes from the entry, and I get up to see what’s going on. Carter’s guys all pile into the house. Several are carrying grocery bags, moving into the kitchen.

“Hi,” I say on a wave and get smiles and nods as they pile in and dump the bags on the kitchen island.

“Hey, beautiful,” Owen says, smiling.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

Carter comes up beside me and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. This makes Owen’s grin wider, while heat floods my cheeks.

“Al …” Jack looks over at us and shakes his head. “Carter, we just came to hang out.”

Upon his words, it hits me. They missed him. He’s taking his time away from them to be with me. It’s sweet and must mean that he really does want to be here with me.

I feel myself leaning into Carter, who kisses my temple.

“Coupla hours, then you’re out,” Carter decrees, smiling around the room.

Throughout the night, Carter’s eyes barely leave me. I feel them like sharp daggers that turn me on mercilessly. I’ve learned that Carter lives at a place called The Den with all the men, plus more. This totally boggles my mind, and I set it aside to remember to ask Carter about it later.

Maybe he knew about this arrangement before and never had a place of his own. Maybe it’s normal for men to be arranged into a home—and therefore, a woman—like this. It’s all strange, but somehow, for me and Carter, it seems to be working.

Carter and his family have a very good relationship. They fire quips back and forth, and Carter burst out laughing several times. Each time, I can’t help watching. I make it my mission to make him do that with me.

They’re all close, and I’m happy that Carter has that.

The guys say they need to talk, so Carter takes them out to the back deck. Exhausted, I go up to my room. Lying in bed, I think to myself that I hope they don’t scare my wolf away tonight. Seeing him is a light in my life I love. Regardless, my eyes drift shut and I fall sleep.

My body thumps and my core throbs, waking me from a deep sleep. The room is pitch-black with only a small bit of moonlight coming through the windows. Tempted to put my fingers between my thighs and work out my aches, I refrain, wanting to see if my wolf is back.

I get out of bed and look down through my window, feeling an ache deep in my chest. He didn’t come.

Disappointed, I head down to the kitchen in search of a drink, hoping that maybe, just maybe, my wolf will come. Listen to me, my wolf.

My breath catches at the sight before me upon entering the kitchen. Carter stands with his back to me, hands resting on the kitchen island and head down, reflective as if he’s deep in thought. His back is a sculpted work of art, the planes and rivets so perfect it’s as if a Greek god decided he needed to be exquisite.

He tips his head to the side, a grin on his face. “Hey, Izzy.”

“Hey.” I pull myself out of my thoughts and grab a glass, filling it up from the tap then taking large gulps. None of it cools my raging libido one bit.

His heat hits my back as he moves his strong arm around my waist. Nuzzling my ear, my knees go weak. My neck is so damn sensitive, but with him, it’s ten times more so.

“Can’t sleep?” he asks into my neck.

“Needed a drink.”

He blatantly sniffs my collarbone all the way to my ear. “It better have been me you were dreaming of.” Carter latches on to my earlobe, sucking and pulling. He has to take on more of my weight as I feel my body begin to tremble. “Was it? Were you dreaming of me, Izzy?”

“Yes.” The word is breathless as his assault on my tender flesh continues.

“You know you don’t have to sleep alone.”

I groan, not wanting to, not one little bit.

“I bet I could make you come, just like this.” He sinks his teeth into my flesh, not enough to draw blood, but enough to give me a pinch. My core clenches and a spasm hits my clit.

“I think you could,” I respond, gripping the kitchen counter.

His nips get harder. “I know I can.”

Arousal flushes me. I’m in dire need of a release.

“Come to bed with me,” I whisper, turning in his arms and latching my lips to his.

He picks me up by grabbing handfuls of my ass. I wrap my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. We move, but don’t lose contact of our lips. Each step he takes rubs my pussy against his hard length, heightening everything around us.

My back hits the softness of my bed, and then his weight comes down on top of me.

Carter doesn’t have sex with me, but he does give me three orgasms that rock me to my knees.