Chapter 5
Morning brought another surprise. I woke early, heading to the kitchen for coffee, when I caught movement in the living room. Milo was shifting back to human form, the process just as fluid and mesmerizing as before. One moment wolf, the next human—kneeling naked on my living room floor.
I froze, knowing I should look away but captivated by the sight.
His back was to me, giving me a view of lean muscle moving under smooth skin as he stretched.
He was small but perfectly proportioned, his body lithe and surprisingly defined.
As he stood and turned slightly, I caught a glimpse of his profile—and more—before my brain kicked in and I retreated silently to my bedroom.
My heart was racing, body responding in ways that made my pajama pants suddenly uncomfortable. I sat on the edge of my bed, trying to regain composure.
That was private. I shouldn’t have watched. But god, he’s beautiful.
The image of Milo’s naked form was burned into my mind—the curve of his spine, the subtle shift of muscle, the way morning light had played across his skin. I’d never been so instantly, powerfully attracted to someone.
I waited until I heard movement in the kitchen before emerging, giving him time to dress.
“Morning,” I called, carefully casual. “Sleep okay?”
“Great,” he replied, already dressed in yesterday’s borrowed clothes. “Wolf form finds couches extremely luxurious compared to forest floors.”
“I bet.” I busied myself with coffee, hoping my face wasn’t as flushed as it felt.
The day passed in much the same way as the previous one—comfortable conversation, shared meals, and the occasional moment when our eyes would meet and something unspoken would pass between us. Each time, Milo’s scent would change subtly, and he’d look away first, a blush coloring his cheeks.
As evening approached again, Milo prepared for his final full moon shift. This time, I didn’t look away as he transformed, fascinated by the process. When it was complete, wolf-Milo stretched and shook himself, then looked up at me expectantly.
“Still impressive,” I told him, reaching down to ruffle his fur.
We settled on the couch to watch a movie, wolf-Milo curled up against my side, occasionally making commentary noises at the screen. It was strangely comfortable, as if having a wolf-shifting employee-turned-houseguest was the most natural thing in the world.
When the movie ended, I realized Milo had fallen asleep, his head resting on my lap. Without thinking, I stroked his fur, tracing the pattern of darker markings around his ears. He sighed in his sleep, pressing closer.
Something protective and tender unfurled in my chest. This strange, earnest being had crashed into my orderly life and turned it upside down in the best possible way.
I’d spent so long keeping my world neat and predictable, and in less than three weeks, Milo had made me realize how much I’d been missing.
I must have dozed off on the couch, because I woke to morning light and the strange sensation of weight on my chest. Opening my eyes, I found myself lying lengthwise on the couch with Milo—human Milo—sprawled half on top of me, fast asleep and very, very naked.
Oh god.
He must have shifted back and fallen back asleep without waking either of us. His head was tucked under my chin, one arm thrown across my torso, one leg tangled with mine. I could feel every inch of him pressed against me, warm and solid.
And I could feel my body responding, urgently and unmistakably.
I tried to extricate myself without waking him, but the movement caused him to stir. His eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to realization as he registered our position.
“Oh!” He scrambled back, nearly falling off the couch, grabbing a throw pillow to cover himself. “I’m sorry! I shifted back and must have—I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, sitting up and strategically placing a pillow in my own lap. “No harm done.”
His nostrils flared slightly, and his eyes widened. I remembered too late that he could probably smell my arousal as clearly as I could see his embarrassment.
“I should—clothes,” he stammered, backing away toward the bathroom where we’d left his borrowed outfit.
Once he was gone, I let out a slow breath, willing my heart rate to return to normal. This was getting complicated quickly.
When Milo returned, fully dressed and somewhat composed, an awkward silence hung between us.
“The full moon is over,” he said finally. “I should try to reconnect with my pack today.”
“Right,” I nodded, ignoring the disappointment that statement triggered. “Of course.”
“Thank you,” he continued, “for everything. For not freaking out. For letting me stay. For…” He gestured vaguely, encompassing the last two days.
“Anytime,” I said, meaning it more than I expected to. “Really.”
He hesitated, then asked, “Would it be okay if I showered before I go? I smell like… well, like wolf.”
“Of course.” I pointed him toward the bathroom. “Towels are in the cabinet.”
While he showered, I made coffee and tried to sort through my tangled thoughts. I was attracted to Milo—undeniably, powerfully attracted. But he was my employee, and apparently part of some wolf shifter research expedition into human society. The potential for complications was astronomical.
When he emerged from the bathroom, hair damp and curling around his face, wearing my too-big clothes, my resolve to keep things professional weakened considerably.
“I should head out,” he said, hovering by the door. “Thank you again.”
“Will you be at work tomorrow?” I asked.
“If that’s okay?”
“Of course it is.”
He smiled, relief evident. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Back to normal. Well, normal for me.”
After he left, the apartment felt strangely empty. I moved through my Sunday routine—laundry, meal prep, inventory planning—but my thoughts kept drifting to amber eyes and soft fur and the weight of a warm body against mine.
That night, alone in my bed, the memory of Milo’s naked form shifting in the morning light returned with vivid clarity. I tried to push it away, but my body had other ideas. My hand slid beneath the covers, wrapping around my already hardening cock.
This is a bad idea, I thought, but didn’t stop.
I stroked slowly at first, remembering the lean lines of his back, the curve of his ass, the way his muscles had shifted under his skin. In my mind, he turned fully toward me, amber eyes darkening with desire.
“Finn,” imaginary Milo whispered, “I can smell how much you want me.”
My pace quickened, thumb sliding over the sensitive head, spreading the precum gathering there.
I imagined what it would feel like to have Milo’s smaller body pressed against mine, both of us naked and intentional this time.
Would he be aggressive or shy? Would his wolf nature emerge in his passion?
In my fantasy, he was a perfect blend of both—eager but trembling slightly, pressing me back against the mattress, whispering, “I’ve wanted this since I first caught your scent.”
My breathing grew ragged as I worked myself faster, picturing Milo straddling me, his head thrown back in pleasure, those amber eyes glowing with desire. Would he make the same small whimpering sounds in passion that he made in wolf form? Would he mark me, claim me?
The thought of his teeth grazing my neck pushed me over the edge. I came with a muffled groan, Milo’s name on my lips, pleasure pulsing through me in waves.
As the haze of orgasm faded, reality crashed back. I’d just masturbated to fantasies of my employee—my supernatural, wolf-shifting employee who was probably just being friendly because I was his research subject in humanity.
“Shit,” I muttered, cleaning up and flopping back against the pillows.
Tomorrow was going to be awkward as hell.