of reindeer and green balloons {m}

A tiny, smirking smile crept into the inky line of her lips and Atticus seized on it, taking delight in knowing that he had put it there. He felt like a teenager, a fumbling, punch-drunk juvenile experiencing his first moment alone with someone on whom he had a raving-mad crush. He'd never before experienced the allure of a female in her season, and while he did not know that was what was going on, he was nevertheless ensnared in her web.

He licked his lips, daring to say, "I would...ask my Alphess how I might please her the most." It was the most loaded question he'd ever asked anybody in his life, but she could interpret it however she wanted. He swallowed nervously, his lean body tense and nearly quivering with the excitement that her presence ignited within him.