His grin widened like he’d heard her internal dialogue. Coal stopped as he drew nearer to her. His grin disappeared and his angry looking frown was back. He narrowed his eyes in thought and sniffed. His nostrils flared and he sniffed a second time.

Then he took a step closer to her, and another, and another. Coal closed the space between them, moving into her personal space. His nostrils flared again but he didn’t make a sound. She could still tell that he was smelling her. “You are heavily aroused.” His voice was deep.

Even though his words shocked her, it didn’t do anything to douse the need that coursed through her. His close proximity only made things worse. She could smell him. A unique smoky scent – go figure – with maybe a rosemary and sandalwood undertone. He smelled good. Really good.

He wasn’t her type. He wasn’t her type. She normally went for the nerdy guys. The ones who did really well in school because they were overachievers. They rarely let her down. They made sure they got to the finish line at any cost. It wasn’t normally through straight sex but who the hell cared, an orgasm was an orgasm right?

Right now, Julie wished she’d had one in recent months… a nerdy guy that was, even a lousy orgasm all on her own, for that matter. She’d been too busy working double shifts and trying to keep a roof over her head to worry about her body’s basic needs.

Well, her body had decided it wanted to be paid back, with interest. She shrugged. “You’re naked and I’m…” May as well be honest. “I’m attracted to you.”

What would she say if he hinted at sex?

“I think we should rut?” His eyes were locked on hers.

Talk about straight down the line. Oh hell! Her body screamed yes, over and over and noisily. He sniffed again, his eyes fluttered closed and he groaned. A soft rumble escaped him. It caused another hard tug of need to accost her. The tug seemed to pull on all of her erogenous zones and all at once.

“We really should rut.” He opened his eyes, staring deeply into hers.

She swallowed. Self preservation kicked in. “Not a good idea. I don’t want to be torn apart.”

His face clouded and his eyes narrowed. “How many times do I have to explain that we are compatible? We would be great together. It would be amazing. Let me show you.” He put his hand on her hip and eased her closer, to the point where they were almost touching.

“No. We’d better not.” It was more than just his physique. She didn’t need the complication.

“That’s a pity,” he growled. “Take off your pants and go and lie on the bed.”

“I said no sex.”