Page 42 of Wolf's Redemption

He took the ingredients and began the process on his own. He did it naturally and with such confidence that I was surprised that he didn't ask for help at all. It was as if he memorized all the steps I did yesterday and repeated them in sequence without making a mistake.

"You could add a little more alcohol to soften its smell or a little more adhesive to make the effect last longer," I said.

"I think this will do just fine," he said, packaging the product in a plastic container.

"Won't you test it?" I asked.

"It spilled a little on my hand when I was packaging it," he replied. "I already inadvertently tasted it."

I brought my nose close to his hand to smell the result.

"By the Goddess Moon, it smells better than I thought it would," I said, genuinely intrigued. "The scents blend in nicely, and it reminds me of late summer when the trees start to drop their leaves, and they give off a still fresh and pure scent."

I looked at his kissable lips as he said each word, his sculpted body marked by those custom-made clothes, and I couldn't think of anything else but falling into his arms. He kept talking, but my brain ignored his words only to focus on all of Eric's attractive features.

He made a line with his lips. "I hope you mean something good," he said. "Well, I guess that's it for this class."

I looked at him again and started to melt for him, so before I got carried away again, I ran out of the place without saying goodbye to lock myself in my room, the one safe place where Eric couldn't seduce me. But where my thoughts made me long for him the most.

Once in my room, I went to get my cell phone to catch up with my son and my business because even though I was here, I still had things to attend to on the outside.

I had several calls requested from Larry and three messages from him with the urgent label that I completely ignored. I didn't feel like answering him, I used to do it out of obligation, out of the need to fit in with the women around me, but after seeing Eric and feeling him, I can't think of anything else.

My thoughts stopped when I received a video call from my son, which I answered immediately.

"Hi, my baby. I miss you so much!" I said with relief when I saw him.

"Hi mommy, I miss you so much too... when are you coming home?" he asked me, crinkling his chin and wide-eyed.

"Honey, I'll be home in two days, I promise," I said. "I've been very busy, and that's why I haven't called you sooner."

He nodded. "I know, mommy, I know you are very busy. I want you to know that I love you very much, and I want to see you soon."

"I love you very much, too," I said. "Could you put Nani on for me for a moment?"

He gave me a smile showing me the tooth that hadn't come in yet, and I blew him a kiss.

"Hello, ma'am," Nani greeted with a green mask plastered all over her face. "Sorry about this. I was just relaxing."

"No, it's okay. I want to know how everything has been at the house," I said, holding in my laughter because she looked so funny.

"Very calm, ma'am. Elliot already did his homework, and I wanted to teach him to add. He learned everything in less than a day. I'm impressed how fast he learns," she commented, making my heart cuddle with love just knowing that my son was an extraordinary and very smart boy.

"Thank you for all you do. You are the best babysitter in the world," I told her.

"One other thing before I hang up. Yesterday Larry came by looking for you, and I told him you were out of town. He looked a little worried," she said.

"Thanks for the heads up," I said. "I'll take care of it."

Elliot stuck his cheek by accident on Nanis’, wanting to see me before saying goodbye, and I couldn't hold back my laughter.

"I love you so much, baby," I said, "Bye Nani, I'll be seeing you guys real soon; take care."

I hung up the call and lay back, looking at the ceiling. The phone vibrated again with another message from Larry, starting with 'Hi beautiful,' and after that, I didn't want to read anymore. I blocked the screen and lost track of time thinking about Eric. I touched my lips and imagined it was his lips kissing me. I didn't force myself to push those thoughts away. This time I embraced them and enjoyed them.

He was the man for me, I wanted him, and I wished everything was different, that I could tell him about Elliot and we could start a family, living here, in my house, or wherever. All I wanted was the three of us.

"Mrs. North, are you awake?" one of the maids knocked on the door.