Page 58 of The Wolf Queen’s Curse

He takes deep breaths.

“To transform?” I say. “To run? To hunt?”

The tip of his tongue runs along his upper teeth, and the look he gives me makes my own skin prickle, desire surging.

“To hunt?” I say.

Deep breaths.

“But not to transform?” I say.

His gaze goes to mine. “Not to transform.”

“You want to play?” I say. “Chase me. Hunt me.”

His tongue flicks out again, eyes burning with lust. “I shouldn’t.”

I glance around. “Because Julius or Rufus might hear?”

A low, ragged laugh. “That is not my concern, but if it is yours…”

I consider only for a moment. I already know from being at Trevelyan that werewolves are much more open with such things. Does it bother me?

“Not if it’s only them,” I say finally. “The Caledonians would be another matter, but Julius and Rufus are keeping them out of earshot.”

“They are. My objection wasn’t a lack of privacy. It’s that chasing you, hunting you … might not be safe.”

“Would you hurt me?”

“Never.”

“Then why isn’t it safe? Have you done it before?”

“With someone else?” A shudder of revulsion. “Never.”

“So how do you know it’s not safe?”

“Because if I catch you…”

“If you catch me…?” I step forward and run my finger down his shirtfront. “Please tell me that if you catch me, I’ll no longer be a virgin. Finally.”

A ragged chuckle. “You will not.”

I smile and release his hand as I take a slow step back. He matches me, and I laugh under my breath.

“Then I ask again,” I say. “Do you want to chase me?”

“Very much.”

I step back again, and when he steps forward, I put a hand out to stop him. “This won’t last long if you don’t give me a head start.”

“Oh, I will. But you can’t run in that dress.”

“So what should I do? Take it off?”

Bishop pauses, and then says, “Yes,” before coming back firmer. “Take it off.”

“Is that an order?”