He was standing, still shirtless, against a tree, wearing that damn smug look of his. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you stomping around and came to investigate.” Wolf shrugged, then ran his long fingers through his hair. Hansel imagined how it would feel to have those long fingers wrapped around his cock.

For the first time, Hansel realized he was naked and made a desperate grab for his clothes. He thought he’d love being naked in front of Wolf, but not like this. Almost falling over, he pulled his pants up his legs, gritting his teeth, trying not to get too horny. Once he was dressed, he met Wolf’s eyes.

“Do you usually spy on people when they’re bathing?” he asked.

“Only when they moan my name in their sleep.”

“W-what?” Hansel sputtered, wondering how the hell he could have known that. This was more embarrassing than being caught naked. Worst of all was that twinkle in his eye, making him feel like a joke more than ever.

“Never mind.” Wolf waved his words away. “I’m here to see if I can talk you into going back to the village. These two killed my entire family. They won’t have a problem murdering a single man, no matter how big and burly you are.”

“What is with you?” Frustrated, Hansel stomped his foot, all bull with no horns. “I’m not going anywhere until I kill this wolf.”

In two long strides, Wolf crossed the distance between them and pinned him against a tree. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Or the wolf gets you.”

Hansel swallowed, wishing for the lip-searing kiss of his dreams, but Wolf was already pulling back, stepping out of his way.

“If the wolf gets me, he gets me.” Hansel’s voice was low and husky. “It’s my choice to stay.”

“They’re going to kill you, I hope you know.” It could have been Hansel’s imagination, but he could swear that sadness crept into his voice. “I can only protect you for so long.”

“I don’t need you to protect me.” Before his dick could harden, he pressed a cold hand against his forehead, hoping the chills would seep down into him and keep him from making a tent of his pants. “I have my ax. I’m fine.”

“We’ll see about that.” Wolf spoke with a warning in his tone.

Trying to not let Wolf shake him up, he walked by, heading back to the house. But something large and slimy was swimming around in his belly, and he tightened his grip on the ax for the hundredth time, wondering whose blood would wet the blade. Hopefully not his own.