"You...what?" Aria's disbelief is loud and clear through the phone.

"Kissed him." I repeat, cringing. "Jumped on him like a spider monkey and went to town on his face."

There's a huge pregnant pause and it doesn't take a genius to guess she's totally floored. "Oh, Len."

"I know." I groan. "I know, okay? It was reckless and stupid and probably ruined everything."

"Well, did he seem into it?"

My mind goes back to the kiss, the way his body responded to mine and the absolute intensity of his mouth working my own. He'd gripped me in place and all but ravished me, nothing like the reserved and rational Wolfe I know. It was like watching him come out of his shell for that one brief moment and it was fucking beautiful. I'd gotten a glimpse of the man underneath the walls and now I'm greedy for more. What is he like when he lets go?

"Definitely into it." I murmur, my neck growing hot. I shift in place, turned on from the memory of the kiss alone.

"It clearly got to you." I can hear the smile in her voice. "You sound really worked up."

"Why do you think I called? Something's wrong with me. This is not normal."

I hear her snort with laughter, sputtering like she may have just choked on a drink. "Lenny, there's nothing wrong with you for enjoying a kiss."

"Yeah but it wasn't just a kiss. There's...feelings. Emotions. How gross is that?"

"Ah. So that's the problem here. You're scared because he's making you feel things that aren't just physical attraction."

"It's not a big deal." I intervene quickly. "Don't make it one. It's a stupid crush and I'm sure it'll go away."

"Uh-huh." Her amusement couldn't be more obvious. "And what are you going to do when you see your stupid crush today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to kiss him again? Does your kiss change what you guys have or are you going to pretend it didn't happen?"

"I don't know. I didn't think that far."

"I wonder if that was his first kiss."

Oh, shit. I can't believe the possibility didn't occur to me before. I suddenly feel like I might throw up.

"Why would you say something like that?" I groan. "Now you're freaking me out. What if that was his first kiss?"

"Then it'll be one to remember?"

"Not funny. That kiss was supposed to be fun and sexy and meaningless, like a joke between two friends. I didn't expect it to be so...so..."

"Earth-shattering?" She supplies. "Mind-blowing? Panty-melting?"

"Something like that." I retort drily.

"You're screwed." She chirps. "My first kiss with Asher was just like that. Look at where we are now."

That gets a scoff out of me. "Oh, please. You and lover boy have been in love your whole lives. My situation could not be more different."

"I'm not talking about your situation. I'm talking about the attraction between you and Wolfe. That pull you feel towards him. You've kissed plenty of guys but nothing like this. And you can't seem to explain it either, right? Why he's so different and why he's making you feel all these things you've never felt before?"

There's nothing I can say to that because she's right. Wolfe started out as just another guy and now he's anything but. And the kiss we shared? I can't explain it but deep down it shifted something inside of me. It's weird enough that he made me feel all those things as is because I'm known to emotionally shut off during intimacy. It's a survival instinct of mine. I just...shut off. But not with Wolfe. I came alive with him and I can't explain why.

"I hate when you're right." I mutter. "If you were in front of me, I'd punch you."

That gets another laugh out of her. "So, what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know." I groan. "Stop asking questions. Can't you be a good friend and let me be in denial in peace?"

"So you admit there's something to be in denial about."

"I'm hanging up." I deadpan. "Thank you for being absolutely useless."

"I love you, too." She calls out just as I'm taking the phone away from my ear. "And good luck on your last appointment with him!"

I end the call, not wanting to think about what she just said. I can't deny that I'm feeling pretty down about our appointments coming to an end. I began to consider them a safe haven of sorts. When it's just me and the big guy in this room, I can be myself for once. It's easy to drop my tough girl act and just let loose around him. He makes me feel like I don't have to constantly put up a front and that's refreshing. In all honestly I don't even know what I'm like anymore. I've been so caught up using this persona I've created to get through life that I'm not sure I know who I am. I see glimpses of her with Wolfe, the real me itching to come out, and I'm curious about who she is. Will I still be able to find her now that Wolfe and I won't have this time together?

Like I said—this fucking sucks.

"When did this get so complicated?" I ask the ceiling.

"What's complicated?" I hear and jump, hand going to my chest and spinning around in my chair. Corbin is watching me in amusement. He says I have a habit of talking to myself and it doesn't help that he's always the one to catch me in the act.

"Would it kill you to knock?" I glare.

"What's complicated?" He repeats, ignoring me.

"None of your business." I roll my eyes. "Can I help you?"

"Who pissed in your Cheerios?"

"I eat Cornflakes, thanks very much."

He snickers. "You finish the piece on the big dude today, right?"

"Yeah." I eye him warily. "Why?"

"Boss man has a bit of a hard-on for it. Says it's one of the best pieces to come from this studio. He wants you to ask your client if he's up for letting our photographer take a few shots so they can use the piece for advertisement."

"I doubt he'll agree. He's shy."

"Not with you. Try convincing him. It'll be good for the studio and for you as an artist."

"I can try but don't get your hopes up."

"Thanks, babe." He winks. "You really should be proud. The piece is killer."

I smile at that. I am proud. It turned out much better than I thought it would and it's definitely my best work yet. I can definitely see it opening doors for me as an artist and for this studio as well. I get why Titus wants to advertise it.

"Hey. Sorry." I hear Corbin say and look back to him to find him making room for Wolfe to walk inside my office. Corbin grins. "Let me move out of your way, handsome."

Wolfe blinks at him and I have to cover my mouth to hold back my laughter. He seriously has no idea he's being flirted with. It's pretty adorable.

I wave at Corbin who barely spares me a glance, too busy making moon eyes at my client, until he finally shuts the door as he leaves. Wolfe pockets his hands and turns back to me, raising his chin in acknowledgment. I lift a finger back, studying him carefully. I haven't seen him since our kiss and right now he looks kind of nervous. Unsure. That would make two of us.

"Take a seat." I tell him.

He nods, taking off his shirt and lying down on the recliner. I stand up from my chair and watch his back while I gather all my equipment. I think back to my conversation with Ria and how she wondered if our kiss was Wolfe's first and I can't get the thought out of my head. I know I'm going to have to ask him otherwise I'll go crazy wondering. It's times like these that make me realize even though I know the big guy pretty well, there's a lot of things about him that are still a mystery to me. I wonder if I'll ever be able to get to know him completely. I wonder if I want to. This thing I have with the big guy...it suddenly seems like more than I bargained more and I'm still on the fence about it.

I clear my throat, cranking up some music on my stereo, and walk over to him with my tattoo gun in hand. Something tells me today's appointment is going to be a pain. Already, I'm losing focus because I'm too busy ogling his body and remembering how it felt as I straddled him, how my hands roamed greedily. He also smells ridiculously good and being this close to him isn't helping. And did he somehow get hotter in the last three days since I've seen him?

Yeah, I'm fucked.

I set my tattoo gun back down because it's definitely getting way too hot in here and my neck needs some breathing room. As I gather my hair into a bun and tie it in a messy knot on my head, I feel a pair of eyes on me and pause. Sure enough, I find Wolfe staring when I look up and frown.

"What?" I grumble.

His lips twitch but he makes no move to look away, still watching me as I finish tying. I tuck the loose strands behind my ear and pick the gun up again, raising my brows.

"Are you done watching the show?" Though the words are snarky, they're accompanied by an unintended smile that I can't seem to stop. He nods a yes that looks so solemn I have to laugh, shoving his shoulder and forcing him to look away again.

When he gives me his back once again, I take a moment to inspect it. Yeah, this piece is motherfucking killer. I don't have to do much today besides some shading and detailing that'll bring the whole thing together and it shouldn't even take the entire hour. I get to work right away, bending low and using my hand to stretch back his skin as I start shading under the sword to bring it to life. And it might just be me but I swear I feel him tense, his muscles clenching under my touch. I look to the back of his head and then to his arms which are also wound up with tension. That's when I realize I'm breathing harder than usual and he can feel my breath on his back since I'm so close. I press my lips together immediately while I try to regulate my breathing. We might need the whole hour after all.

It takes us a few minutes to fall back into rhythm but we manage. Even so, the surrounding air seems to fill with sexual tension that didn't exist before the kiss. I'm way too aware of him, the warmth that radiates from him and the feeling of his skin on my hand. As much as I want to finish the piece I've been working so hard on, I'm more tempted to jump on him and kiss him until our lips are bruised. Would that be so bad?

And speaking of the kiss..."Hey, big guy?"

He does his infamous head tilt and I watch it for a moment, struck with realization that this is the last time I'll be seeing it. I force myself to snap out of with a shake of my head.

"I was wondering," I start. May as well get this over with. "Was our kiss your first?"

I hold my breath while I wait for his answer. He turns his head to look at me over his shoulder and his surprise couldn't be more obvious. Maybe he thought I wouldn't bring the kiss up. I meet his gaze and wait patiently until finally, he shakes his head no. I can't tell if I'm relieved or disappointed. Relieved, I think.

"Okay," I nod. "Just making sure. Otherwise your first kiss would have been a staged kiss and that sucks."

He raises his brows at me pointedly and I tilt my head, trying to understand what he's asking. He makes the sign for kiss and points at me with his index finger.

"My first kiss?" I ask. He nods. "One of those puppy-love pecks. I was, what, eleven? Lasted about five seconds. Nothing special. Was your first kiss special?"

He seems to consider that, shrugging in a way that says not really.

"How old were you?"

He makes the sign for the number nineteen and I feel my brows go up. "Handsome guy like you? I for sure would have guessed you'd be fucking women into oblivion at that age."

The tips of his ears go red in embarrassment and he shakes his head, looking away. I laugh under my breath at his total innocence. It's crazy to me that he kissed me like a starved man, all but ravished me and owned me, and yet a conversation about fucking makes him shy. Makes me wonder what he's like when he fucks. Shy, or even more intense than the man he was when he kissed me?

"Shit," I mumble low enough that he won't hear me, clenching my thighs. I do not need to be thinking about that right now. I change the topic immediately, raising my voice again. "Another question for you."

He does his head tilt and I smile. "So, your piece turned out really badass if I do say so myself. My boss has his eye on it and he thinks this piece can give the studio and me more attention with some advertising. Would you be willing to let us get a few shots of it? It's just your back."

Just like I knew he would, he tosses me a reluctant look and doesn't agree right away. I figured I'd need to coax him a little.

"I know that's not your sort of thing," I relent. "But it really would open doors for Titus. He's a great guy and his studio deserves more recognition."

His reluctance doesn't ease up at all. I give him a few moments to think about it, turning my attention back to the tattoo. I bolden the letters on the grim reaper's sword that read PROTECT and make sure they stand out, adding some dimension. The sword turned out the most badass. It looks like something straight out of Game of Thrones and I can't help but admire it. Once I'm satisfied, I move to the bottom of the tattoo where the grim reaper floats and continue shading there, making it pop as much as possible.

"It would also help me," I add quietly. "I wouldn't even consider asking you to do this but I really want to grow in the artist world. I think I've done an amazing job here and including this in my portfolio could take me places. I'm confident. You wouldn't be doing this in vain, if that helps."

And I mean every word. I know how much he hates photographs—I've seen him practically run the other direction when sports reporters try to get a shot of him. He isn't in any of the articles about Fighter's Den nor does he take pictures with the rest of the guys after matches. I get the distinct feeling there's more to it than just being camera shy and that's why I was ready to shut Corbin down when he made the request. But he also made a good point about this piece taking me places and I really want that. My dream is to open up my own studio and this, the best piece I've done, could really help.

When I'm done shading around the cloak, I realize there's nothing left for me to do. I've done everything I can for the piece to tie it all together and I shut the tattoo gun off. I also turn down my music because I need absolute quiet, my full concentration required to make sure I'm completely satisfied and then some. My eyes rake over the ink, scoping out mistakes or gaps of any sort. I'm pleased to find none. I nod in satisfaction when I realize I've done the best that I can and that happens to be really fucking great. In total I've spent eight hours on this and I'm proud as hell with the results.

"Holy shit," I laugh, snagging my phone so I can grab a quick shot. Wolfe is comfortable with me taking photos because he knows the progress shots are between us only and that's entirely different than asking him to be advertised. Nonetheless, I'm hoping he's still considering it. I show him the screen just as he sits up and faces me. "Killer or what?"

He takes the phone from me and our fingers momentarily brush. I hate that I notice it and that I can feel the lingering warmth of his touch. I focus on his reaction instead, watching his face carefully for approval. I receive it within moments when his brows go up and the corner of his mouth tips in a rare half-smile. That's the face he makes when he's impressed. I don't see it a lot but I'm looking at it now and it makes me grin back.

"You like?" I ask just to be sure.

He makes the sign for love and it makes me uncharacteristically giddy. I can't help but squeal a little, stomping my feet in victory. Wolfe's smile broadens in amusement.

"Shut up," I grin at him. "Let me have this one."

He looks back and forth between the photo and I, clearly debating my request. I hold my breath in anticipation only to have it expel out of me when he nods so slightly, I would have missed it if I wasn't watching him so intensely.

"Really?" I breathe. "Are you absolutely sure? You have to be absolutely sure otherwise I'm just the bitch that made you do something you don't want to do. Don't make me a bitch, big guy. I'm already one."

That only makes him roll his eyes but he nods again in confirmation. I'm riding the high of too many positive emotions to care when I throw my arms around his neck and hug the shit out of him. I know I've taken him by surprise because I can feel his hesitation but I also know he just needs a few seconds to adjust. I think I'm getting the hang of reading him. My grin is concealed against his shoulder when I'm proved right, the sensation of his arms winding around me and pulling me closer making my stomach flutter. How can he possibly feel this good? How can touching him, being with him, talking to him, feel this fucking right? It's too scary to try and look for answers so I live in the moment instead, enjoying the feeling of being borderline crushed by his huge arms. Who knew that would be such a turn on?

"You give fucking awesome hugs," I mumble and feel his body shake with silent laughter. "Which is great for me because I like hugs. That's pretty much the only reason I keep you around, in case you were wondering."

In the silence of the room, I think I hear the slightest sound escape him, like his laugh got the best of him for a millisecond. It's hard to tell but my stomach still jumps from the possibility of it. What would his laugh sound like? Loud and larger than life, or low and deep so that you feel it in your belly? God, I want to know.

"You're also a great kisser," I can't help but tease him.

That one turns out to be a mistake because when I pull back, my nose accidentally brushing his, the moment electrifies tenfold. I just had to go there, didn't I? Our eyes meet and the sudden intensity of the situation makes my breath hitch. Because now I'm thinking about that kiss all over again and based on the look he has on his face, so is he. His eyes drop to my mouth and I lick my lips instinctively, maybe even purposely. His fingers tighten on my hips and holy shit, I think I'm going to kiss him again.

"Len?" I hear a muffled voice outside my door.

Wolfe and I jolt apart and I barely manage to take a couple of steps back before my office door opens. Lavender sticks her head inside a moment later, eyes landing on us.

"Damn." She whistles appreciatively, inspecting Wolfe's back and walking closer. "This is badass as hell."

Wolfe looks over his shoulder and catches Lavender squinting intently at his back. He turns back around and his arms move to cross against his chest like he's covering himself. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop my laugh. Why the hell does he have to be so fucking endearing?

"A little room, Lav," I sing-song.

"Sorry," She jumps back and turns a shade of pink. I know she was also checking Wolfe out and that's why she got carried away. Can't say I blame her. "Um, so is it cool? If we can get some pictures? The photographer is actually here just in case Wolfe agreed to it."

I look at him expectantly. His nerves are clearly back and he scratches the back of his head, seemingly unsure. I can't help but wonder once again why he hates pictures so much. Is he hiding from something? Someone?

"It'll just be your back," I remind him quietly. "Maybe not even your head. But if you really don't want to do it, I understand."

He looks as torn as I feel. I know, deep down, the only reason he's even debating this is for me. I think that makes me melt a little. Jesus, who am I?

I step closer to him and drop my voice so only he can hear me. "I'll be right there if that makes it easier. I'll stand where you can see me. You just have to look at me while they get shots of your back and no one will know it's you. But again, I don't want to push. It's completely your call and I'd never do something you're not comfortable with."

Man, this guy is a total mystery. For every part of him that I get to know, I realize there's ten others I can't even begin to imagine. There's definitely something going on here but I don't know what and something is telling me not to push. That's why I'm surprised as hell when he nods confidently, giving me his final answer.

"You have to be sure." I repeat.

He holds my gaze, nodding one last time. He's giving me his trust. This suddenly feels like a huge responsibility and I can feel my palms grow damp. I love taking the big guy out of his comfort zone but it's so hard to tell if I'm pushing too hard or not enough. It's times like this where I feel a flash of frustration that he doesn't talk but I banish it immediately. That's not fair to him. If he can trust me, then I should trust him.

"Okay," I agree softly. I look over his shoulder to Lavender who's chewing on her nails, eyes darting between us like she's watching a soap opera. That almost gets a smile out of me. "Let's go."

She nods too and leads us out. Wolfe grabs his shirt and starts to put it on when he realizes he'll need to be shirtless for the photos. I silently hold my hand out and he gives me the shirt instead. I open it up to inspect it, holding it against me. Christ, it's huge. It could honestly be a dress for me.

"I might steal this from you," I warn him. I only mean it as a joke but when I glance over at him, my humour fades as soon as I meet his eyes. The way he's looking at me...the heat in his gaze...it can only be described as primal. He eyes my body for a moment and his gaze flares, inspecting how the shirt might look on me. He clearly like what he sees and I'm clearly enjoying his reaction based on the sudden pulsing between my legs. Is this how flirting is going to be with us from now on? From harmless to explosive? I swallow the gravel in my throat.

"This him?" The question snaps me out of it and I turn to the photographer who's looking at Wolfe expectantly.

"Yeah," I hastily bundle up his shirt, ignoring how it smells just like him. "He's ready."

"Cool. I'll need you just over here." He points to the set up—a white background, some standing lights, and a stool for Wolfe to sit on.

"You're good?" I ask him.

He's not starting at the set up at all. He's staring at the camera in the photographer's hands with a deep-seated frown.

"Big guy?" I place a hand on his arm and he jerks, looking down at me. I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. "I can make fun of the photographer if it makes you feel better. You know, because you're staring at him like he put your kitten in a blender."

Just like I counted on, his lips twitch before giving way to a smile and his shoulders relax a little. I grin right back. "If you get too uncomfortable, just wink at me and I'll get you out of there. It's a casual sign and you look really hot when you wink so it's a win for both of us."

His face softens when he realizes I'm trying to make him feel better. I guess that gives him the confidence he needs because he nods again and goes over to where the photographer directs him, sitting on the stool and keeping his back to the camera. I walk to the side until I'm in his view and his eyes immediately seek me out. I stick my middle finger at him and I can visibly see him snort, looking away so I don't distract him.

He holds up pretty well at first. The photographer has to keep reminding him not to be so tense but I know he's trying his best. Each time a flash goes off he gets this weird look on his face, like he's remembering something he doesn't want to remember. The more I watch him the more uncomfortable I'm starting to feel. This isn't him feeling shy or not liking pictures. Something's up here. His forehead has a slight sheen of sweat and his hands are clenching and unclenching against his thighs. It looks like...PTSD or something. All I know is that's exactly how I look when a man touches me without my consent. My stomach knots painfully. If he feels anything like I do when that happens to me, then he shouldn't be sitting there.

"Stop." I demand and the photographer startles. Wolfe's eyes cut to mine quizzically but I ignore it, walking up the photographer. "You have what you need. You can leave now."

He gapes. "I just got started. I still need a few from different angles—"

"I'm sure you can make-do with what you have. That had to be at least fifteen pictures right? This isn't a school yearbook. You just need to come up with one presentable picture which I'm sure you can manage."

"What the hell, Lenny?" Titus furrows his brows at me. I ignore him too.

"Come on," I say softly to Wolfe and hold out a hand for him. He takes it right away and I help him stand him. Jesus, his hand is like ice. What's going on with him?

I lead him outside because he could use the fresh air and it doesn't help that my nosy co-workers are staring. I know I made the right call when he pulls in a large breath as soon as we're outside, the fall breeze cooling him off. I hand him his shirt and his jacket that I managed to grab before we left because I don't want him freezing his ass off either. He's done that once for me and he also did this and I feel so guilty it's hard to catch my own breath.

"I'm sorry I pushed," I whisper. I should have followed my gut and shot Corbin down.

Wolfe glances at me and takes his jacket, pulling it on and zipping it up. I blink because he didn't even bother wearing his shirt. I hold it out to him but he shakes his head, pushing my hand away. His breathing is still a little uneven and when he looks at me, I can't read his face. He looks kind of pissed. I don't have time to dissect his emotions because without another word, he stuffs his hands in his pockets and walks away. I watch him silently as he gets on his motorcycle and kickstarts it, driving off without a backward glance. I'm left staring as he disappears from view while still clutching his shirt. What the hell?

___________________________

A/N

This was the HARDEST chapter to write. Oh my god. Can you guys believe I've been stumped on this for a month? A MONTH? And this is my fourteenth rewrite. FOURTEENTH.

Anyways I'm satisfied with how it turned out and I'm so happy the plot is thickening. More secrets and Wolfe and Lenny just get cuter.

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)