Lycan Redemption by S. K. Yule

complicated. Complicated can be dealt with.”
    “If it was only that simple.” He sighed. “If it wasn’t complicated, what would you say then?”
    Her lungs nearly stopped working when he bent closer. “I can’t deny that I’m attracted to you. Any woman in her right mind would be. But that’s not what I’m looking for.”
    “What are you looking for?” His breath fanned over her cheek as he continued to softly stroke her face with his thumb.
    “I’m not looking at all. But if I was, I would be looking for a man who would take care of me and Patrick. Who would always contribute, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Who would consider us the most important things in his life. A man who was honest and hardworking. A man I could always count on. A man that would love me as much as I would him. A man who would be faithful and as loyal as I would be to him. A man who would always be by my side. A man I could share my life with. A man who would share his life with me.”
    “Why do the things that matter most, the things that are easiest to give to those you love, always the first things neglected? If more people shared your view on relationships, there wouldn’t be so much heartbreak. I want the same in a woman. But know this, Myka. If circumstances were different for me, I’d take you up on the challenge. I’d be more than willing to fill the bill to your order. I’d demand nothing less in return. If I gave myself to you, you can bet you’d be stuck with me for life.”
    His words sent slivers of hope through her, but those slivers were quickly doused with the reality of here and now. Galen had made it clear once again that he was passing through. Why did he have to come into her life if there was no chance of them being together? He’d proven to be hardworking. He cared about her and Patrick, or he wouldn’t have insisted on them staying out of the rain when they’d unloaded the hay. He was good with the animals. He had been up front and honest with her. Those were some serious points in his favor.
    “I wish things were different,” she whispered.
    He closed the small gap between them and took her lips in a slow kiss that scorched her blood. But he broke the kiss too soon for her liking. Her breaths came in short, excited pants, and heat pooled between her thighs as he stared down at her with eyes that seemed to glow brighter than before.
    He sniffed at her—which reminded her of a wild animal learning the scent of its prey—then groaned.
    “I wish things were different as well, angel. Now are you going to cut my hair?”
    “Yes. I can do that. How do you normally wear it?” she asked.
    “Short, with a little length on the top.”
    She nodded. “I’ll get my clippers. Have a seat on one of the chairs.”
    She left the room and came back a few minutes later carrying a towel, clippers, and some other things she needed. After plugging in the clippers, she draped the towel over his shoulders. “To keep the hair off your shirt.”
    He stood, and removed his T-shirt, and she barely contained a gasp. Holy hell, the man was ridiculously perfect. He sat back down and pulled the towel over his shoulders.
    “I’d rather avoid getting hair on it altogether if that’s okay with you.”
    “S-Sure.” She fastened the edges together with a hair clip and went to work.
    His unsettling gaze watched every move she made, and her hands slightly shook, making it hard to hold the clippers steady. She placed a short attachment on the end and cut everything below the crown of his head. His hair was thick and soft, and she ran her fingers through it more than necessary. Not to mention he smelled wonderful.
    The way her body was responding to him told her that maybe being this close to him hadn’t been the best idea. She shut off the clippers, and when she reached for a longer attachment for the top of his hair, she dropped it. As she bent and scooped it up with trembling hands, long fingers encircled her