I tap my fingers on the table as I stare out the window of the restaurant, watching the people of Boston go about their lives.

I've always wondered how the world can look exactly the same when you go through something life-altering. Your world was just ripped away from underneath your feet and the people around you don't have a damn clue. They're just living their lives as if nothing monumental happened, as if it's just another day, and it makes you irrationally irritated because how the fuck can they not realize your world will never be the same? How the fuck can they just go about their day as if everything is the same? Here these people are—going to work as always, getting home to their kids as always, stopping to fill up gas in the car as always; completely ignorant to those who are stumbling and will never get this semblance of normalcy back.

That's how I felt when I lost my parents and...

I look away, clearing my throat in an attempt to get rid of the boulder lodged in there. I wonder if I'll ever be able to think about them without feeling immeasurable pain. My world has never been the same since they died and I hated it. It's happening all over again, albeit not as traumatic this time around. But Wolfe speaking to me, talking as if he's always been able to do it? It's still pretty earth shattering. It's only been a couple days and I still haven't wrapped my head around it. That and the flashes of his personality that are so unlike the Wolfe I've gotten to know. He can be bold, unapologetic, and feral. He can also be ridiculously sexy and sweet and his sarcasm could give mine a run for money which is practically unheard of. Now I find myself wishing he didn't make that leap because the more he talks and the better I get to know him, the closer I'm getting to falling in love with him. And that might be the most life-altering thing that's ever happened to me.

"Hey!"

I startle out of my thoughts just as Aria bends down to hug me tight. I return her hug a moment later and force myself to snap out of it before she figures out something's wrong with me.

"Hey, hottie." I kiss her on the cheek and she pulls back, sliding in the booth across from me. Her nose and cheeks are flushed from the cold and she blows out a breath as she removes her jacket. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

"That's because you haven't," She scrunches her nose apologetically. "I know I've been all over the place lately. I'm trying to find a way to balance all these new changes."

"Don't make it sound like such a bad thing," I wave a hand just as a waitress sets down our water and menus. When she walks away, I continue. "Be the boss bitch you were meant to be."

She bursts out laughing and shakes her head. "Just the words I was aching to hear. I can't believe how stressed I've been lately."

"Who wouldn't? You're starting your own firm and travelling the world with lover boy."

"We're not travelling the world, just the states. Besides, it's becoming really tough and our schedules keep clashing and we're fighting a lot because of it."

"Damn," I lean forward and place my hand over hers. "That blows. You and lover boy never fight."

"Trust me, we fight like you wouldn't believe." She snorts. "We just happen to be exceptionally good at make up sex so we're usually eager to move past disagreements."

"That definitely sounds like you horn dogs."

"Shut up. Anyways, we came up with a solution that will help with the long distance while I stay back in Boston to work on my firm."

"Oh yeah?"

Her mouth stretches into a wide grin right before she blurts, "We're moving in together!"

"That's amazing," I say honestly, giving her hand a squeeze. "And that's definitely the next logical step. You guys are always spending nights in each other's room so might as well just live in the same one."

"That was exactly his point when he asked," She nods. "We started house hunting too. He's getting a little ahead of himself and looking at pricier homes since him and I earn well but...I guess we deserve to splurge a little. We worked hard for what we have."

"No shit," I kick her boot under the table. "Just make sure there's an extra room that I can crash in when I'm old and grey."

"Dramatic much? You must be really sick of your apartment."

I clamp my mouth shut. I knew I was going to have to tell Ria about my recent living arrangements but I was hoping I could put it off for a little longer. It's hard enough admitting to myself what a stupid thing I've done, never mind admitting it to my best friend.

"What?" She asks, scanning my face suspiciously.

"Nothing," I shrug and open the menu. "What're you ordering?"

Aria smacks a hand down on the menu and prevents me from reading on. I'm forced to look up at her narrowed eyes. "Cut the bullshit. What are you hiding?"

"A dead body. Will you help me stash it?"

"You know I would but you're lying. What's going on?"

How do I even begin to explain? Out of respect and privacy for Wolfe, I don't want to tell Aria that he started talking again. The big guy hasn't even had the chance to adjust to it and I know he's nowhere near ready for the world to know. So how the fuck do I explain moving in with him when him trusting me enough to talk is what won me over to agree?

"It's not that simple," I start, already frustrated and at a loss for words.

"What isn't?" Her brows come together. "You're freaking me out here a little."

I curse under my breath and lean forward in my seat, growing serious. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"No, do you really trust me? Enough to not question a decision you wouldn't necessarily understand? Enough to believe I know what I'm doing?"

"Oh my God," She murmurs. "Don't tell me you actually killed someone? I thought that was a joke!"

"Oh, get real." I scowl. "Of course that was a joke. Do you trust me?"

"You know I do. Just spit it out already."

I lick my dry lips and force myself to get it over with. It's better to do this sooner than later, right? "I moved in with Wolfe."

The expression of concern she was wearing is frozen in place as she stares at me. For a moment I'm convinced she didn't hear me but then the concern shifts to utter disbelief as she becomes slack-jawed, blinking slowly.

"I...I beg your pardon?"

"I moved in with Wolfe," I repeat. "Who'd have thought we'd beat you and lover boy to it, huh?"

"That's not funny!" She explodes and the people around us curiously look our way. I glare right back and stick my middle finger at them and that does the trick, their heads swivelling away again sheepishly. "What the hell are you thinking? This is crazy enough but...it's you, Lenny. Living with another man is a huge step, one that's light years away unless you've miraculously overcome your trauma."

I frown, stuck on one thing she said and unable to keep myself from pointing it out. "Melanie."

"What?"

"Melanie." I look down, feeling insanely vulnerable. I know a lot has happened the past few days but saying all of it out loud is making me realize just how much. I don't blame Aria for reacting the way she is. "Wolfe calls me Melanie, not Lenny."

Aria blinks again, looking more stumped than my initial news. "He calls you that?"

Shit. I quickly backtrack. "In his head, of course. He let me know that he's always thought of me as Melanie and, I don't know, I'm kind of warming up to it."

An incredulous noise strangles out of her and she leans back in her seat, gaping. "But you hate your name. What the hell is going on? Do I have to be concerned about a mid-life crisis?"

"I'm only twenty-seven."

"Fine. A quarter-life crisis?"

"I'm fine," I insist. "It's just hard to explain. You had to be there."

"I had to be there?" She shakes her head. "Four months ago you hated his guts and now you're doing the one thing in the world you wouldn't be caught dead doing? You're living with him and...and...and he's calling you Melanie and none of this is like you."

"None of this is like the person I pretend to be," I snap. I know she's trying to be there for me but Wolfe was right—I've been pretending to be someone else for so long and with him, glimpses of the real me peek out and these days I want to be more like her than who I am now. "It's exhausting acting like a stone-cold bitch who doesn't give a fuck about anything. It's exhausting to constantly pretend like I don't care or I don't have a heart but I do. I do and he's doing something to it and I know all of this sounds crazy but it doesn't feel that way. It actually feels really fucking right so can you just trust me the way you say you do?"

At this point I don't think there's anything left to say that could surprise her. Aria is floored. Her jaw might as well be on our table and her shock is so evident that I uncomfortably look back at the menu, reading but now quite seeing. God, when the hell did I become this chick, the one who loses her cool defending a guy?

"Um...wow," Aria tucks her hair behind her ears. "I'm just trying to digest everything you're saying. It's a lot."

"I know," I relent, feeling guilty about snapping. "But I don't regret any of it. It's crazy but it works." I look away when I admit the next part. "He makes me feel safe and I need that right now because I was attacked a couple of nights ago."

There's an audible gasp but I keep my gaze away. I don't want to see her sympathy or pity. I have shit luck when it comes to men and Aria has given me more than enough of those looks. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm just tired of being a target," I admit. "It's like one guy screws you up and the rest can sense it because they try to do the same. Apparently I attract all the assholes in the world. Maybe it's a vibe I give off or something."

"Hey," Aria interrupts harshly. "Don't start coming up with reasons about how it's your fault that men do the things they do. They're accountable for their own damn actions. It doesn't matter what a woman wears, or how short her skirt is, or how into you she may seem, it doesn't give a man the green light to do whatever he wants to her. It's never the woman's fault, ever. Don't you dare tell me that you asked for any of this because you didn't."

"I know, I know. It just keeps fucking happening to me. I can't help but wonder."

"Well, stop. There's nothing to wonder because you didn't ask for any of it. Plain and simple."

"Thanks," I muster up a smile, finally meeting her eyes again.

"So he makes you feel safe?" She asks. I nod.

"Yeah. Luckily he came just in time the night of the attack. Wiped all three guys out like he was cleaning the dishes or something. He took me home and convinced me to spend the night and one thing led to another and we kind of just went with it. Besides, it's not permanent. I was moving out of my apartment by the end of the month anyways but in the mean time I'll be staying with Wolfe."

She nods, clearly being supportive and I soften up a little. I know Ria will always be by my side no matter how crazy and impossible I can be. "That makes sense and Wolfe is a really good guy so...I approve."

That gets a short laugh out of me. "Yeah, he's pretty great." When I'm met with silence I look up at Ria who's grinning wide. "What?"

"You're so into him," She boasts and fuck me, I can feel my cheeks warming up. "I can't believe you let him call you Melanie. Does that mean no more Lenny?"

"Nah," I answer honestly. "In a lot of ways Lenny protected me over the past few years and I'll always be her. I'll always be Lenny to everyone but to the big guy, it's different I guess. I'm kind of different with him so I guess only he gets Melanie."

"Holy shit, you love him," Aria covers her mouth, laughing. "Holy shit!"

"Slow down," I glare. Her observation sent my heart into a fucking frenzy and it might burst. I'm nowhere near ready to address that and I don't have plans on doing it anytime soon. "I don't love him. I just...don't hate him."

"Uh huh," She smirks and starts reading the menu. I almost think she's dropped the conversation but then she whispers, "Melanie and Wolfie, sitting in a tree..."

I snatch my menu off the table and chuck it at her head. She ducks, having already seen it coming because she's my best friend, and straightens up with another laugh. I ignore her and hold my menu in front of my face so I can hide my smile because Aria talking about Wolfe and I suddenly makes the possibility of us so much more real and, well, maybe that's not such a bad thing after all.

***

"Big guy," I call out and hang up my coat as soon as I step inside the house. "You here?"

"My room," His voice booms back from down the hall somewhere. My stomach flips at the raspy tone that I'm slowly getting used to. Man, I love his voice. It's so distinct you could recognize it anywhere. It's just so deep and throaty and masculine and I can't believe how much more attractive it makes him. Plus, the faint Australian accent that peeks out when he's really mad or excited about something? Drenches my panties in a heartbeat. I'm so fucked.

I make my way down the hall and hang a left, opening the door of his bedroom that had been left open a crack. I've never been in his room before so I take a moment to look around. Holy shitballs, there's a lot of computers in here. A huge desk is pushed up against the back wall and there's five monitors sitting atop it. About a million wires are connected between them and a couple of computers are also hooked on. Besides his little obsession, there's only a bed and one dresser. It's simple and to the point like the rest his place with only the necessities and nothing more.

"Dude," I take a step inside and he looks over his shoulder at the sound of my voice. He pauses whatever wire he was fiddling with. "You have got to learn to decorate."

His brows come together in his usual angry face and I take a moment to study him too. He look so much like the Wolfe I first met and initially got to know. It's unbelievable how much of him I've discovered on the inside and how he's nothing like I thought he was. I know I made it my personal mission to break down his walls when I first met him but I'd wanted to do that for shits and giggles. I didn't think I'd actually accomplish it or that I'd really like what I found.

"What do you mean?" He asks, snapping me out of it. It's still so bizarre watching his mouth move and form words. I wonder if I'll ever get used to it.

"Your house looks like a furniture catalogue. It has all the things a house should have but it's not a home. Where are all your personal belongings?"

"Belongings? Like what?" He asks so seriously that I roll my eyes. Always so intense.

"You should think about putting some pictures up or plants or something."

"Plants?"

"Or something."

"I suppose," He mumbles and he looks genuinely confused. I don't understand how he can be so naive when I've known him to be impossibly sharp and cunning as well.

"We could go shopping one day for some things," I offer and walk over to his bed, sitting. "If you'd like."

He shrugs in a way that tells me he could care less and turns his desk chair around to face me. "How was your lunch with Aria?"

"Awesome. I told her about us moving in together and she flipped at first but now she's good."

His body suddenly stills and the features on his face become panicked, stricken. "Did you tell her that I'm talking?"

"What? No, no of course not." I shake my head. He relaxes, just barely, and I frown, a little offended that he would even think that. "I'd never do that you. Come on."

"I apologize," He grabs his throat, a habit of his. He becomes immensely self aware when he realizes he's talking or thinks about the possibility of other knowing he can talk. "But she's your best friend."

"And you're my friend too," I interject. "You know I respect the hell out of you, big guy. This is a huge deal and no one should have to know about it unless it comes from you."

He regards me with a serious stare. Everything about him is so...brooding. "I'm just not ready. It has nothing to do with Aria. I like her."

"She's great," I agree. "Too bad she's with the fucker Ash."

He tilts his head, the corners of his mouth turned down. "Asher is a good man."

"The best," I snort. "But he's my best friend's man so I have to hate him. I can't let him get too comfortable, you know? It's me he'd have to deal with then."

"Hmm," He hums in understanding. "The poor man who has to answer to you."

I grab the pillow behind me and fling it at him. He catches it, one corner of his mouth twitching, and I find myself wondering for the millionth time what his laugh would sound like. It's something I've been anxiously waiting to hear but I'd never admit that. I sound like a fucking Hallmark card. It's disgusting.

"What are you working on?" I swiftly change the topic before I start daydreaming or some shit.

"Work," He answers vaguely.

"I didn't know you worked. What do you do?"

"Software Engineer. I create security systems and firewalls for data companies that store classified information."

A whistle escapes me. Why does he have to be so damn impressive? "Nice. How big are these companies?"

He picks at his jeans, no longer meeting my eyes. "Big, I suppose. I only work for one company now and they're quite large."

I eye him curiously. "I'm not trying to pry here but a job like that has to bring in big bucks."

His mouth pinches downward again and he nods, still refusing to look at me. I blink when I finally catch on.

"Holy crap. You're rich, aren't you?"

"Melanie," His eyes lift and there's warning in them. "I don't like talking about it. It makes everyone see me differently and then I always have to wonder if they like me or my money."

This time I don't bother hiding my offence. "Do I look like a gold digger to you? And when have you ever known me to not accept you for who you are? Jesus, man."

"You're right. Wait," He holds a hand out to stop me when I try to stand up. "I have been used in the past and it is a difficult feeling to shake."

My anger dissipates and replaces with understanding. Now he's definitely speaking my language. "I get it. Believe me. Which is all the more reason I wouldn't do that you."

He relaxes again, nodding his thanks and leaning back in his seat.

"So, what's the deal? Why don't you live in a mansion and dress up in designer?"

"That is not who I am. I was taught to be smart about my finances and only indulge in the necessities. It's very easy to get caught up in the luxuries of life."

"Is that why your home only has the basics?" I guess. "Because it's not selfish to buy things for yourself every once in a while, big guy. It's great that you're walking a fine line here but you should also recognize that there are some things you've earned."

"Yes, but..." He sighs heavily, clearly debating his next words. "I feel guilty sometimes."

"Why?"

"Because I am doing very well for myself. Melanie, I could buy this whole block and it wouldn't put a dent in my account. This is the kind of life Gramps always wanted to give me but he couldn't. Now he is gone and I did this by myself and it feels as if I have outdone him. It feels disrespectful."

Oh, Wolfe. My heart constricts painfully at his thoughtfulness. He doesn't miss a damn thing.

"Big guy," I start softly and his eyes purposely stray away from mine. He doesn't enjoy being vulnerable — a quality we both share. "If this is the life your grandfather always wanted you to have then he would be proud that you've accomplished it. I know I never met him or knew him but the person you turned out to be is a testament of who he was so I'd guess he was a fucking fantastic man. I also know he would be so happy that you turned your life around because you did it all on your own. Give yourself some credit here."

His head tilts as he seems to consider that. For once he isn't looking at me like I have some ulterior motive to my words and I consider it progress. "You think?"

"I know," I shrug. "And trust me, I'm always right. Even when I'm wrong."

"So I've learned," His lips twitch.

"Good. You feeling any better?"

"Yes. What can I make you today as a thanks?"

I shake my head with a smile. "Engineer, boxer, chef. Is there anything you can't do?"

"Talk," He supplies and then smirks. "Oh, wait. I can do that too."

I throw my head back in laughter at his cockiness. I knew he had it in him somewhere and it suits him a hell of a lot better than all those reservations.

"By the way, what's the verdict?" He asks and draws my attention back to him. Verdict? I raise a brow in confusion and he elaborates. "When you kissed me for the first time, you said 'let's see if these lips can kiss better than they talk.' Now that I have done both, what's the verdict?"

I grind my teeth together in an attempt to keep my jaw from dropping because what. The. Fuck. I didn't think he would ever bring up the kiss and was even counting on him not to because now we're living together and that would just complicate things. Besides, we can never be in the same room without being charged up by sexual tension so talking about our kiss isn't helping. Why did he mention it, dammit?

But I'm not one to ever back down from a challenge so if this is the game he wants to play, I'll play it better. "Couldn't say. I don't remember the kiss very well."

I'm such a bullshitter. The kiss has replayed in my mind endlessly. If I closed my eyes and imagined it, I would be right there experiencing it all over again. The way his soft lips firmly pressed into mine, the wet tip of his tongue as it entered my mouth, the way he took control and ravished me like a starved man. I couldn't forget a kiss like that if I tried. But he doesn't need to know that and right now, his eyes glint daringly. I hold my breath in anticipation, excitement charging me up because I know I've just provoked the big, bad Wolfe.

"Am I that forgettable?" He leans back in his chair, legs spread and arms resting on the handles. The chair looks fun-sized compared to his enormous build and I swallow hard at how good he looks right now. Forgettable is the last thing he is. "Guess that means we shouldn't do it again."

What. A. Fucktard.

My eyes narrow on him because damn, he's playing this game better than I thought. "Normally when I wound a guy's ego like that, he would try to prove me wrong by kissing me again. Just saying."

"So you're saying you want me to kiss you again?"

"Wouldn't kill you, would it?" I grin dauntingly. He bites the inside of his cheek, shaking his head.

"I think it might," He says softly.

Oh. The easiness of the moment slips into something so much more intense. I can't help but take bait, needing to know what that means.

"And why would it do that?" I ask just as tentatively.

He looks thoughtful for a moment, his eyes dropping to scan my body lazily all the way down to my sock clad feet and back up, his lips tipped. "Because the most dangerous things in life are the things we want the most."

And just like that I can feel the cracks in me grow deeper. How? How is he able to break my walls so fucking easily? It's like they're made of cement to the world but to him, they're nothing more than styrofoam. He doesn't even have to try.

"And...you want me?" I lick my lips almost nervously.

He doesn't falter. "I crave you, Melanie."

Oh, hell. When he says it like that I don't even want any walls put up around me, especially right now. In this moment I can see the desire in his eyes so clearly that I know I don't stand a chance. I know how easily I could become addicted to being the person he wants most and how I think I'd do anything to keep it that way. He's right — the things we want most are fucking dangerous.

"Does that mean you're going to kiss me today?" I lean forward without meaning to. I can't help it. All this talk, the way we seem to be enveloped in a cocoon of our tension, is making my heart pound with greed. I can't believe how badly I'm aching for him.

"No," Though there's a ghost of a smile hinting at his mouth, I know he's being serious. "The next time I kiss you, it will be when we both need it more than we need our next breath."

It's like being doused in cold water and set on fire all at once. Damn him and his poetic fucking words. I scowl in irritation because he has way too much patience for his own good. "Nicholas Sparks much?"

"I almost forgot you like romance novels," He does his head tilt almost daringly and my eyes narrow. Why does he live to bother me?

"What's it to you? Try picking one up and not liking it."

"Perhaps you could read one to me one day."

"Only after you kiss me. Why should you be the only one to get what you want?" My lips twitch. It's because I live to bother him too.

A rare smile splits his face and I could've sworn he almost laughed. He leans forward and reaches out a hand, tugging one strand of my hair playfully. "What am I going to do with you?"

Whatever you want, I almost tell him. The scariest part? I mean it.

___________________________

A/N

THESE TWO ARE KILLING ME. I'm falling so hard for Wolfe with each chapter. He is literally the most beautiful and intensely real man I've ever written about. Ovaries. WHERE ARE THEY?

And oh mannnnn are they a tease. I can't wait for them to finally get together. I can already feel how explosive it's going to be, in the most sinfully hot and feel-it-in-your-soul way. SO EXCITED.

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

Happy Reading :)