The Promised Second Excerpt

      A small whimper reached his ears. Matt froze for a split second before bolting upright. “Sage.” He tossed back his bedcovers. Only once he stood outside Sage’s closed bedroom door did he hesitate. She made another sound, this one more destressed than the last. His gut twisting at her turmoil, he knocked on the door. “Sage?” Opening the door a crack, he peeped inside her dimly lit bedroom. A bedside clock provided minimal illumination.

     Even a year later, he was still surprised by his improved night vision. He made out Sage’s curvy form beneath the covers with ease. Mumbling in her sleep, her arms and legs jerked. 

     Matt crossed to her and sat at her side. Hoping not to startle her, he gave her arm a gentle nudge. “Sage.”

     She inhaled deeply. A frown wrinkled her brow before her eyes opened. “Matt?” She blinked. “Why are you here?”

     “You sounded like you were having a nightmare. Are you okay?”

     She sat up. “Yeah.” She ran the back of her hand over her forehead. “I don’t remember the accident, but my mind was recreating it. I was trapped in the car, and I couldn’t get out. There was a fire, and I know that didn’t happen, but—” Her breathing accelerated, and she sounded more upset by the moment.

     “Shh.” He pulled her into his arms. “You’re okay. You’re safe.” He stroked her spine and kissed her forehead. “I’ve got you.” 

     She melted against him with a sigh. Her hand closed around his bicep. They stayed that way for several minutes. Finally, she muttered, “You’re not wearing a shirt.”

     He laughed. “Nope.” Even before he became a werewolf, he ran hot at night and slept in minimal clothing. If he weren’t in Sage’s home, he’d sleep naked. Hearing Sage’s soft cries had spurred him into action, and he hadn’t paused to put on pants.

     “Matt, you better not be naked.”

     Chuckling, he said, “I have on briefs.”

     She hummed. “You’ll stay with me?” she asked. Yawning, she buried her face in the crook of his neck. 

     Matt gritted his teeth. The feel of her soft lips grazing his skin sent a shiver down his spine. Had his neck always been so sensitive? He swallowed a growl and attempted to answer Sage. His vocal cords locked as a sharp wave of lust twisted his gut. Banishing fantasies of her kissing him, biting him there in that spot on his neck, he cleared his throat and managed a strangled, “Yeah.”