Liquid crimson Read Online Free

Spiro started to step back, but paused. “You might have better luck if you start getting your body used to keeping Neo’s hours. He doesn’t have a choice in the matter, you do.”
    Michael bowed. “Yes, Father.”
    “Smart ass,” Spiro chuckled before vanishing.
    Still grinning, Michael dressed in his jogging gear which consisted of a simple pair of nylon shorts and running shoes. He left the bedroom determined to run at least five miles.
    Turning the corner, he ran into a huge man with blond hair. “Excuse me,” he said. “Do you live here, too?”
    “Yes. I’m Gunnar. Neo’s head of security.”
    “Oh, nice to meet you, Gunnar. I’m Michael.”
    “Yes, I know who you are. Neo assigned me to be your shadow during the day.”
    “Really?” Damn. He was going to have this hot guy following him around. Cool. “You run, Gunnar? Because that’s what I’m getting ready to do. I try to get in at least five miles a day.”
    Gunnar smiled. “That depends. Do you have a problem running alongside a wolf?”
    “You can change, just like that? I thought werewolves only changed during certain phases of the lunar cycle.”
    Gunnar chuckled. “I’m over eight hundred years old. You don’t think I’ve learned a thing or two during that time?”
    Michael clapped Gunnar on the back and headed for the door. “We’re gonna get along just fine.”
    “Yep. As long as you don’t touch me in front of Neo.”
    Michael paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Why’s that?”
    Gunnar walked towards him, removed Michael’s hand from the knob and opened the door. “Because Neo threatened to rip my head off if I or anyone else touched you.” Gunnar grinned and removed his clothes, turning his back on Michael when he removed his jeans. He twisted the jeans and shirt into a circle and tied them at the ends. Michael was confused until Gunnar shifted into a large white wolf right before his eyes. The magnificent wolf stuck its head through the ring of clothing and wore them like a necklace.
    “Cool trick.” Michael lifted his leg and rested it on the porch railing. As he stretched, he watched Gunnar pace back and forth. “You know, you make a very handsome wolf. Perhaps you’d get more dates in that form. At least you wouldn’t ruin things by opening your mouth.”
    Gunnar barked and snapped at him.
    “Keep it up, Fido, and I’ll tell Neo you tried to bite me,” Michael laughed and took off down the steps.
    He found a dirt path that wound around the outskirts of the vineyard and just barely into the trees. “This must be your stomping grounds, huh?” he asked Gunnar.
    The wolf barked a reply, easily keeping up with Michael. “You’re all right, you know that?” Michael acknowledged his new friend. As he set a steady stride he let his mind wander. It was his favourite part of running. Getting the opportunity to let go and allow his mind free reign kept him centred.
    A rabbit off to his right moved in the brush. “Ooh, you see that? Better go grab you a snack.”
    Gunnar barked again, but Michael could see the wolf eyeing the brush as they ran. “You know you want to,” he continued to tease.
    He was almost disappointed when Gunnar refused to rise to the bait. He finished his run and slowed to a walk. “You gonna change, or make me talk to myself the rest of the afternoon?”
    “Have you always been a pain in the ass or just since you came here?” Gunnar asked.
    “Shit!” Michael’s hand flew to his chest. “Way to sneak up on a guy.” He started to turn around but caught a glimpse of a very naked, very aroused Gunnar and turned back. “ Uhhh , you can get dressed now.”
    “Sorry about that. It’s a natural side-effect of shifting, but I know not everyone’s comfortable with it.”
    Michael shrugged as he heard a zipper slide into place. “Nothing wrong with getting a boner, I just doubted you wanted me staring at it.”
    Gunnar chuckled. “By the way, kid, a word to the wise. You may get away