CHAPTER 40
SHANE
She had taken a shower and put on a beautiful set of fiery red lingerie, made of lace and delicate needlepoint. It wasn’t lingerie that hid her curves but celebrated them. The lace, with its delicate and sensual embroidery, shaped a bodice that highlighted her generous breasts and shoulders. Its halter design fell softly along her curves, accentuating her neckline and back. The skirt, a wrap mini skirt with flair, cascaded in layers that played with every movement, leaving little to the imagination. She was ready for the night she had planned with such care, an evening of seduction and play, where roles would be reversed and fantasy would become reality.
Carefully, she had prepared the scene: a path of red rose petals extending from the entrance of the penthouse to each of the rooms. She wanted Liam to know that when he entered, he should look for her, that each step he took brought him closer to his prize. The idea of playing the sexy Little Red Riding Hood, at the mercy of the big bad wolf, excited her in a way she had never imagined. She felt a mix of nerves and anticipation that made her heart race.
As she hid in the guest room, she tried to control her breathing. She listened to the silence of the penthouse, broken only by the distant echo of her thoughts. She knew Liam was on his way; his voice would resonate in the air at any moment. The idea that he might catch her, that he might find her and subject her to his desires, was electrifying.
With a quick movement, she grabbed her phone and sent a single message to Liam: “FIND ME.” It was a small push, an invitation for him to dive into her game. After pressing “Send,” she remained silent, holding her breath as she awaited his reaction.
Shortly after sending the message, she heard the sound of the front door opening, and her heart raced. She listened to his footsteps, firm and confident, resonating on the wooden floor. The wait was agonizing; adrenaline coursed through her veins as she imagined his reaction upon seeing the path of petals she had prepared for him. Would he follow it? Would he dare to enter her world, where she was Little Red Riding Hood and he, the big bad wolf?
With each approaching step, her excitement grew. She was ready to be captured, to let herself be carried away by desire. The night was just beginning, and she was certain it would be unforgettable.
The echo of his voice resonated in the air, a deep and powerful call that broke the silence of the night when he shouted, “Little Wolf!” It was the affectionate nickname he had given her. Pronouncing it with that mix of desire and urgency sent a wave of emotion through her.
She slowly approached the door, pressing her ear against the wood, trying to hear each of his movements. Her pulse was a frantic drumbeat, and she bit her lip, holding back the yearning. But in the midst of the anticipation, an unexpected sound made her freeze: a deep, throaty growl that seemed to come from the darkness, a sound that reminded her that Liam was not just a man but also a beast.
A mix of surprise and excitement flooded her. She didn’t know which of his forms she would face: Would she see the four-legged wolf, with its black fur and powerful presence, or the other beast, the one that stood on two legs, with a humanoid body but equally imposing, and those red eyes that roamed her like fire?
The thought of what might come made her tremble. The desire to open the door and let herself be carried away by adrenaline was overwhelming, but she was also filled with an instinct for preservation. However, the red lingerie she wore reminded her that she was ready for whatever she might encounter. She didn’t want to hide; she wanted to be discovered.
With a sudden impulse, she ran to the center of the room, in front of the door. Her feet barely made a sound on the floor, but her heart beat like a drum in her ears. She was ready. The excitement intoxicated her as she prepared for what was about to happen.
“Little Wolf… I can feel you,” he called again, his voice resonating in her head. He had definitely changed. This time it was closer, his tone filled with longing and determination. The way he pronounced her nickname made her feel powerful and vulnerable at the same time. She held her breath when the door swung open abruptly, but she turned at the last second. She was trembling; she thought she would be ready to be devoured, but now she felt nervous.
A howl broke the silence in the room, penetrating her ears. It was as if he were telling the world that he had found his prey. She forced herself to keep her hands at her sides, refusing to cover her ears. This was her way of telling him that she was fine and that none of this disturbed her. Quite the opposite; she was excited.
She heard his footsteps approaching her. A soft fur brushed against her back. Her skin tingled as she felt his warmth invading every corner of her body. His breath brushed the top of her head; his warm exhalation caressed her shoulders as it fell. Large hands settled on her hips, pressing her against his body. She bit her lower lip to prevent a moan from escaping. She closed her eyes, letting herself go as he ran his enormous snout from her shoulder to her neck, sniffing. God, she desired him, she desired him too much. She raised a hand and placed it on his furry face, leaning toward him, granting him greater access to her neck, which he licked, savoring her skin. His fangs against her skin made her shiver.
“Are you going to eat me?” she asked, her voice coming out in small gasps.
But he didn’t respond verbally due to his transformation, so his words echoed in her head.
“I’m going to devour you, little wolf. There’s no doubt about that.”
“You’re supposed to be Little Red Riding Hood,” she whispered.
“You’re far from being that. Little Red Riding Hood would never tempt her wolf so much, torturing him with provocative images from afternoon until night.”
She laughed because she hadn’t done any of that, but she had no way to prove that it wasn’t her who sent those images from her phone, but Marc. But if he found out that Marc had seen her in lingerie, he might not take it well. Instead, she followed his game.
“Then I’m a little wolf teasing my Alpha.” She pulled away from him and turned in his arms to face him. The only light in the room was from the hallway filtering into the room, accompanied by the glow of the candles, but all of that faded in the presence of Liam, who stood before her. Transformed in this way, he easily stood two meters tall; her head barely reached his chest. He was a majestic beast.