He moves back, dropping his hand. “Don’t forget about the run later.”
“I won’t.”
Aren goes to the house, and I walk to the water's edge, drop to the grassy edge, and cross my legs as I stare into the water, letting it soothe me.
I don’t mean to doze off.
My eyes fly open when something bumps my shoulder. It’s darker now than it was before. Not quite evening yet, but close.
Another bump on the back of my shoulder rocks me. If I’d been expecting a small, fluffy gray wolf, Leo come to say hello, I’d have been disappointed.
This wolf is enormous, with blond-brown fur and amber-gold eyes.
Aren.
“You really need to learn how to respect personal space.” I yelp when a rough tongue swipes my cheek.
Swiping the moisture away, I glare at Aren, who doesn’t look the least bit sorry. “Do that again and I’ll push you in the creek,” I warn him.
He takes a step back, sits on his haunches, and looks at me.
I yawn wide, my jaw cracking as I get to my feet. “You didn’t have to come get me for the run. This isn’t a date.”
“It could be.”
Startled at the deep male voice, I turn.
He shifts so fast and so silently; I hadn’t heard a thing. He’s on his feet now, and it takes everything I have not to lower my gaze from his face.
“You can look.” A hint of amusement softens his voice, as if he knows just how much effort it’s costing me to keep my eyes above chin level.
“No, thanks.” Knowing he’s not a patient person, I eye him curiously. “How long were you there?”
He shrugs. “A while. I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t fall in.”
“The creek?”
He nods.
“And did I?”
“I saved you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then don’t. But if you find teeth marks at the back of your shirt, it wasn’t from me pulling you back to safety.”
Disbelieving, I twist around, grip the bottom of my shirt, and look down. I don’t know why I’m surprised to find bite marks there.
When I drop my shirt, Aren is studying me expectantly.
“What?” I ask.
“I’m waiting for my kiss of gratitude,” he says.
Of course he is.
Rolling my eyes, I move to step around him.
