I straighten. “I was distracted.”
“Oh, Louanna,” he murmurs, stepping forward into my space, his chest pressed to mine. He grabs the end of my long braid and twirls it around his fingers. “Good thing yeh have me here tae remind yeh. After I assist yeh in yer closing duties, we’ll be headed to Herschel’s Fine Dining for a lovely dinner. He’s prepared something especially for us, at my request.”
Worry and awe fill me in equal measures.
“Are we really doing this?” My question comes out so softly, I’m not sure he could even hear it.
His grip on my braid tightens. “Yes, my sweet. You deserve a happily ever after and I want to be the one to give it to yeh.” Hedips down, gripping my chin with the fingers of his free hand. His lips are so close to mine, he could kiss me.
I stand frozen, staring into eyes as dark as the deepest parts of the sea, both terrified and praying he takes this tension a step further.
“Oh, Louanna,” his lips pull wide to reveal double rows of conical teeth, “when I kiss yeh for the first time, it won’t be at yer workplace, my love. I want yeh to think about it every second until I do it, too.”
Irritation sparks and sputters, and I move to pull away, but Dirk laughs and holds me tight, dipping lower. His lips brush faintly against mine, his gaze locked onto me. The soft touch of his mouth nearly has me screaming at him to kiss me already. But he holds the position as we breathe the same air.
Dirk drags his lower lip along mine, teasing me before he takes an abrupt step back. He spins and heads into the depths of the store, calling out over his shoulder, “Come, Louanna. Let’s get yeh closed up.”
Fuuuuck me.
I refuse to grumble about his intense teasing, so I force myself to zip my lips as I follow Dirk to the storeroom.
It takes the better part of an hour to get everything put away, but Dirk is a dutiful helper. He stocks shelves and organizes bottles and refills potions, all without complaint. As we head to the front door to lock up, it’s on the tip of my tongue to thank him when the bell rings and Connall steps into the store.
CHAPTER TEN
DIRK
Louanna freezes as our big wolf steps into Alkemi. Bright green eyes flash, his wolf’s electric shade glowing faintly as his focus flicks from her to me and back again. He schools his features into neutral, his wolf’s green disappearing as he closes the door softly behind him.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he starts. “I came for a sleeping potion for a client.”
“You’re not interrupting anything,” Louanna says quickly. “What kind can I get for you? We’ve got a few for falling asleep, and some are meant to help you remain asleep through the night.”
Connall shakes his head, eyes moving to me once more. “You know what? I can come back another time.”
It’s plain to see he didn’t expect to find me here, and he’s about to run. We can’t have that.
“Don’t let me stand in yer way, Wolf,” I say, grinning at Connall. “I jest came to help Louanna close up.”
He nods curtly, stepping around me to a chunky wooden table piled high with tiny vials of potions. Intelligent eyes scan the labels until he finds what he’s looking for. I take the time to drink him in, those gorgeous auburn waves, the hint of frecklesthat dust his cheeks. He’s a vision, and I am going to have so, so,somuch fun playing with him when he gives in to us.
“We’re going to dinner after this,” I say as he grabs a vial. “Come with us.”
His bright eyes meet mine, emotion flashing through so fast, it’s hard to catalog what he’s feeling. He glances over his shoulder at Louanna. “I…can’t. I’ve got something to do.”
“Do yeh?” I take a step closer to him. “Come with us, Connall.”
His cheeks go pink, then red, and he shakes his head. “Have fun. I’ll just pay for this and be on my way.”
My poor, sweet wolf. He’s never been with a male; The topic comes up from time tae time in his sessions, and he’s open about sharing his personal life with his patients. I cannae wait to be his lover, his instructor, and, gods, I hope the recipient of the weapon between his thighs.
“I insist,” I say a little more forcefully. “It’ll be a good time. We can chat.”
Connall’s eyes go full blue, his wolf pressing forward to get a good look at me. I stand tall and proud, staring back at the predator that lives inside my mate.
“Come out and play, Wolf,” I whisper to him. “I’m right here.”
A soft growl leaves his throat, half warning and half…something else.
