“Over the dishwasher and the range-hood fan? I don’t think so. I do think you should jump him.”

She did a double take. “I’m sorry?”

He shrugged. “In your shoes, I would have. Gwen, the guy likes you.”

Grabbing the broom, she began to sweep the floor as she quietly spoke. “I thought he was gay.”

Marlon looked at her like she’d suggested stripping naked and having a mud fight. “Why would you think that?”

“He barely paid any attention to Julie. That’s not normal.”

Marlon’s expression softened. “Aw, sweetie, not all guys want to use you to get to Julie.”

“I know that. But he didn’t even take a moment to ogle her. What straight male wouldn’t be attracted to Julie?”

“She’s beautiful, sure, but so are you. Julie’s beautiful in an in-your-face way. With you, it’s more understated, but it’s still there. Me and Julie always say we wish we had your eyes. And your skin—it tans easy and looks so smooth.” He gave her a stern look. “I don’t like that you put yourself down.”

“I’m not doing that. I don’t think I’m ugly, but I know I’m not beautiful either. I’m not the kind of girl who’s someone’s type. Zander could have anyone. Until last night, he didn’t show a lick of interest in me.”

His eyes twinkled, and she wanted to slap herself for saying too much. Marlon skidded into her space. “What happened last night?”

“Nothing.”

“Gwen, don’t make me ask Zander. You know I will.”

He so would. “It was just a kiss. No big deal.”

“No big deal? And yet, you’re avoiding him this morning.”

“I am not.” She totally was.

“And you ate junk food for breakfast—you only do that when something’s bugging you. On a side note, you need to find another form of comfort. I’ve told you before, you are what you eat.”

She threw him a dirty look. “That must be why you’re such a dick.”

“Ho, ho, ho, that was bitchy.” He kissed her cheek, laughing. “You’re all prickly because you don’t like how close to the truth I am. Admit it, the kiss was a big deal.”

“It was not.”

“Then go collect whatever empty plates or mugs are left. I’ll finish cleaning up.” It was a dare.

She straightened her shirt and handed him the broom. “Okay. I will.”

“Of course you will, because it was no big deal.” He swept out a hand toward the doorway. Bastard.

Grabbing a tray, she headed into the dining room.

“Rory did what?”

Zander forked his last piece of bacon. “Put firecrackers in one of the large tin barrels around the construction site—the echoes were loud, and the builders thought it was gunshots and dove for cover.” And since the construction site was the pack’s partially built motel, all the Mercury members were exceptionally pissed. Particularly since the sounds could be heard from the main lodge and had terrified the pups.

The pack had done the emergency drill, hiding the weaker members while the others went to deal with the threat . . . only to realize that someone had been fucking with them. Knowing Rory as well as he did, Zander suspected the guy had watched from afar as the pack rallied to fight. He’d no doubt found it hilarious.

Bracken chugged down some coffee. “Nick’s sure it was Rory?”

“Caught him on the security cameras.” The pack had cameras all over their territory. “Jesse watched the footage. The figure was dressed in black, wearing a cap and sunglasses, but he’s pretty sure it was Rory. There’s no other person who’d want to toy with us for their own amusement.” That was what Rory was doing—it was what he always did when he didn’t get his way. He’d keep on doing it until he did get his way.

“Fucker. Has he been detained yet?”

Zander ate his bacon before answering. “Derren, Ally, and Jesse went to his address, but he wasn’t there. His closet and drawers were empty, and the apartment was a mess. It looked like he’d packed up and left in a hurry.”

“He’s probably staying in a hotel somewhere.” Bracken leaned back in his chair. “I doubt he’s still here in Oregon. It makes no sense for him to go back and forth. I doubt he knows you’re still here either, or he’d play his games near the B&B.”

Zander’s gaze sliced to the doorway as Gwen entered. Instantly, the memory of their little encounter leaped to his mind. His cock twitched as he recalled her taste, her raspy moans, how hot her pussy was, and the feel of her body perfectly molded to his.

He’d dreamed of her last night, dreamed of his hands fisted in her hair as he fucked her hard and deep. It had felt unbelievably real. But then he’d woken, full and aching—and seriously pissed off that it had been no more than a dream.

Bracken exhaled heavily. “Okay, what did you do?”

Zander slowly cut his gaze back to him. “Do?”

“Yesterday, you were looking at her like you wanted to know what she tasted like. Now you’re looking at her like you already know, and you just want another taste.”

“I didn’t fuck her.” But it hadn’t been for lack of trying.

“I didn’t ask what you didn’t do.”

“Drop it, Brack.”

“I told you not to start anything with her.”

“And we both know you were using reverse psychology.”

Bracken looked ready to object, but then he sighed. “All right, maybe I did want you to make a move on her—eventually, when things had settled down. Now is not a good time. And you should bear in mind that she’s human. She may not have the same casual attitude toward sex that we do, and she’s not used to our level of intensity. As dominant males go, you’re not very controlling. You keep yourself tightly controlled, but that’s different. Still, my guess is you’ll seem very demanding and controlling to Gwen, since she’s not used to our ways. You’ll need to take things slow.”

Maybe he was right, but Zander knew there was no point in fighting himself on this or in trying to make himself wait for her. It wouldn’t work. He was too fucking hungry for her.

He needed to know what every inch of her tasted like, how it felt to be deep inside her, and just how good those legs would feel curled around him. In his dream, he’d watched her come, heard her scream. That wasn’t enough. It was never going to be enough. He wanted the real thing.

“You’re not going to back off, are you?”

“No.” It was too late for that.

Bracken pushed his empty plate aside. “I have to wonder what it’s like to be a person who’s so sure of their choices. Once you make up your mind, you never doubt your decision. You stick with it. Normally, I admire that. But in this instance, you’ve made the wrong decision, and you need to reevaluate it.” He leaned forward. “Give her some space. Revisit the whole thing later.”

Draining his coffee mug, Zander placed it on the coaster. “Are you done now?”

“Look, I get that you’re your own man, but she’s—”

“You’re done.”

“I’m not, actually. What about your wolf? You can’t tell me he’s going to like your decision.”