Free Wolf Watch (The Madison Wolves Book 8) by Robin Roseau Page B

another small series of shudders, then grew limp.
    I shifted my hands higher on her back, then lifted her until she slumped against me, her legs still over my shoulders but her arms wrapping around my head. She held to me, panting heavily.
    "Slide your legs down," I told her. "I've got you."
    So, slowly, she slipped towards the shower floor until she was standing weakly on her feet, still slumped against me, her arms around my neck now. I had to support her as she clung to me.
    "I can't believe you did that to me," she panted. "I have never in my life felt so vulnerable as that."
    I preened. I'd just gotten a taste of what Lara had been getting with Michaela for years. I felt strong and virile.
    I realized it was a feeling I could grow to enjoy.
    "I should return the favor," she said, "but I'm too weak to move."
    I laughed lightly and continued to hold her for a while, moving us around under the water. With Zoe still pressed against me, I bathed myself then rinsed us again carefully before shutting off the water.
    There was a towel waiting for us, but only one. I realized I hadn't planned ahead properly, and I would do better next time. I grabbed the available towel and wrapped it around Zoe, then moved her until she was seated on the toilet, the lid closed. She looked small and vulnerable.
    Inside, Wolf asked, "Mine?"
    I didn't have an answer for that.
    "Mine!" Wolf insisted.
    "We'll see," I said to myself.
    "Do her again," Wolf said. "After that, she won't care that we are Wolf."
    I ignored Wolf.
    "Towels?" I asked. Zoe pointed, and I followed the gesture, finding just one more bath towel. I used the cloth to dry myself as best I could, and then I helped her to her feet and fluffed her dry. I set her back onto the toilet and found her hair dryer and a brush. She sat there dully, her eyes closed as I brushed and dried her hair.
    Mine only took a few moments, and I also used the hair dryer to make up for the lack of sufficient linens.
    "What do you sleep in?" I asked her.
    She looked up at me, blinking.
    "Are you staying?"
    "Not this time. I'm tucking you into bed."
    "Undies. Long tee shirt on a hook in my closet."
    I stepped into the main room. The undies were in the third drawer I checked. I pawed through them for a moment, finally choosing a pair that felt like they might be comfortable. I collected the aforementioned tee shirt and turned towards the bathroom.
    Zoe was standing in the doorway, watching me. So I moved to her and knelt down. She stepped into the undies, and I pulled them into place, then I slipped the tee shirt over her head and tugged it down.
    "Thanks, Mom," she said with half a grin. She moved into my arms, and we kissed. Then she leaned away. "You taste funny."
    "I taste like you," I said. "It's a perfectly natural taste." I looked around. "Where's the bedroom?"
    "This is it," she said. "Studio apartment. Main room." She pointed. "Bathroom." She pointed. "That's it."
    "Um. Where's the bed."
    She pointed. "Futon."
    "You sleep on the couch?"
    "No. I sleep on the futon. Haven't you ever seen a futon before?"
    "I'm sure I have," I replied.
    She moved away from me and crossed to her couch -- futon. Then she bent down, grabbed the frame, and pulled. The entire structure unfolded and fell flat, and her couch turned into a bed. She turned to me. "Bed."
    "Should I feel stupid?" I asked.
    "You should feel privileged," she replied. She turned away and moved to an end table alongside the futon. She bent down and a moment later withdrew bedding. I watched as she finished turning the futon into a bed. Then she turned to me and smiled. "See?"
    I nodded.
    She cocked her head. "God, you're gorgeous."
    I preened again. "Thank you."
    "Stand up straight," she ordered. Then she moved towards me. She walked around me, running her fingers along my more defined muscles. She stopped behind me, both hands flat against my lower back. "You're astonishing. Have you always been this amazing?"
    I laughed lightly. "I'm not sure I would