Page 1 of Tempting Fate

Chapter One

Jamie

I’m not stalking him.

No, really. Just because I know Patch has taken over all of Dax’s shifts at the pub now that Dax has moved into Kieran’s pack, and just because I know that once the pub has closed, on Wednesdays, Patch always takes the rubbish out to the bins and it’s the perfect opportunity to get him alone…

It’s not stalking. I’m being observant, that’s all.

Besides, it’s not like he doesn’t know I’m doing it. He’s seen me in the pub. He sees me at dinner, sometimes, when we all go to Kieran’s pack, too many of us piling into one little flat to eat everything in sight.

And he knows I’m here, too, the moment he steps out of the back of the pub, black bag in hand. He tips his head up slightly, nostrils flaring, then lets out a heavy sigh.

“There are safer places to wait. I’d have let you stay inside if you couldn’t catch a lift home.”

I push off from my position against the wall, my gaze running boldly over him. It’s been months since everything. Months since my ex, Tim, attacked me in the house I shared with Vince and Nick. Tim’s long gone. Vince, too—in that he’s moved in with Dax, who happens to be Patch’s best friend.

They also both happen to be werewolves. Or wolf shifters. I don’t really know if there’s a difference.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

Patch grunts and lifts the bin lid, chucking the bag easily over the side. Thick muscles in his arms flex and I swallow hard, not sure if I’ve already started drooling.

I noticed him right away, of course. Don’t know if he noticed me. But I’ve felt his eyes on me, more than once, and I know what the look in them means.

If he’s not going to make a move, then I will. I’m not at all afraid to put myself out there like that.

“Could’ve talked inside, too.”

“Seems like you’re avoiding me.”

“Seems like you could take a hint.”

He doesn’t look mad, though, when he steps back from the bin and puts his hands on his hips. The dark T-shirt he’s wearing stretches across his shoulders, and I take another step closer.

I try not to think about Tim. Not that I’m scared of him—not anymore—but because I don’t want my life defined by one shitty guy who happened to exist in it for a couple of years. Still, I can’t help it as I look Patch over. He and Tim might be about the same height, but Patch is built solid, smooth, tanned skin stretching over muscles I want to dig my fingers into.

He’s got half a foot on me, easily. I take another step closer, and he lets out a heavy breath through his nose. He doesn’t scare me. The wolves go out of their way not to, but Patch never has scared me, and he’s never treated me like glass, either.

I like that. It’s interesting. He’s interesting. And gorgeous, and we already get along at least fine if not well, so I don’t see why offering something a little more fun would be a bad idea.

“Wanna fuck?” I ask because I might have planned for a discussion, but here and now, being blunt seems like my best option.

Patch’s eyebrows fly upwards. He’s surprised? I frown. He shouldn’t be. Vince told me wolves can smell our emotions, though they try not to, and don’t mention it if they do. Surely he’s been able to smell the horny on me for weeks.

“That’s not a good idea,” Patch says, voice gruff, and heads for the door.

I grab his arm before I can think twice about it. He doesn’t fight me when I spin him back around, but when I move closer, he takes a step back. I back him up until he’s against the wall, studying his face the entire time.

“Why not?”

“Does it matter? If it were a good idea, you wouldn’t ambush me after work.”

“Hardly an ambush. You saw me in there earlier.”

“I thought you went home.”

“Really?”