In the Alpha’s Arms

Sense of Touch (cont’d)

“T–that’s not that’s…not… her brain sputtered and couldn’t get going, couldn’t make those words knit together a coherent thought.

“It’s true,” he pulled back, the worry lines suddenly visible all over his face, “Dr. Morgan put you under that night, so your body could heal. That forced shift, after being dormant for years, tore your body practically apart. When you were finally human again, damn near everything was popped out of place, torn or broken. It was I thought—I’ve seen a lot of things in my life but you… like that… I thought you were going to die. It took hours and three doctors to set and splint all of you back in place.” He shivered, swallowing the memory away like it was too painful.

“Put…me…..under…” she whispered, “Anesthesia?”

“Yea. You had a bad reaction and he couldn’t get you to wake back up. You’ve been out for four months. No one knew when or if you would ever wake back up…

“Max-?” Lita tried to speak but he put his thumb to her lips, “Don’t. You don’t have to be afraid. We’ll figure everything out later. I promise everything s okay now that you’re awake. God, I’m just so happy you’re back.”

“Please tell me you haven’t sat at my bedside every day like a soap opera?” she laughed, his words had worked to calm her down.

“Well since this is my bed…” he smiled, pressing their foreheads together, closing his eyes “I missed you so fucking much. Everyone’s going to be so happy to see you, I swear it’s been like a funeral around here.”

His touch was starting to get to her again. A mixture of warmth and prickles over her skin. And his words sent her heart racing. He’d missed her. The feeling was mutual because the more she looked at him, the more desperately she needed to be closer. It felt like ages since she’d last seen his face or felt his touch. Lita hadn’t known she could crave another person so deeply but it was true,

Cole looked down at her,

their lips together, instantly melting under his soft mouth. His stubble scratched against her

“Am I still healing?”

No,” his eyes studied her

another kiss, “I need

looked like he wanted her right then and there, jaw set hard, nostrils flared, but Cole relented, backing off the bed and offering a hand to help her up. Pushing herself across the bed took more effort than she wanted to admit Lita’s body ached in places it shouldn’t have ached, like the arches of her feet, the space where her hip met her groin, the webbing between her fingers. What had she expected from a forced hibernation that

She had an entirely separate entity sharing space in her body. Her wolf had different feelings, different inclinations, different thoughts. She did things Lita would never do. Like what happened with Erica…though she

arm around her waist, Colle helped her to the bathroom, staying until she could comfortably stand on her own. “I’m just outside the door, okay? If you need anything, just holler,” Cole promised,

even want to think of the four months of hair to shave. She groaned, snatching at her

now. Lita took a shaky breath. She wouldn’t be sad about it. Cule was the same, his feelings for her were the same. Everything else

claws dragging down her throat. The sensation of blood spilling around her teeth. The screams. Perhaps the wolf was mistaken. Perhaps there was some other explanation for all that blood. Perhaps she wasn’t…maybe she didn’t… Lita got to work removing the hair from everywhere it didn’t belong until she was smooth once more. Then she washed. Exfoliated. Moisturized. Put serum on her face. Everything she could think to do to chase those thoughts of Erica

the self she remembered, Lita slid her

letting the butterflies gather in her stomach.

Sense of Touch (cont)

legs without warning. Cole slid his hands along the sides of her thighs until they cupped her hips, “Damn, you’re soft. Smooth as silk… His voice trailed off as he took in every slope of her naked body. She met his

now, Lita,”