Una’s eyebrows rose.“Oh?What kind of things?”
Larissa hesitated, not wanting to say too much in such a public place.“Just…pack business.Making sure everyone’s on the same page about our direction moving forward.”
As they finished their meal, Larissa’s mind was already several steps ahead, planning out her next move.She needed to talk to Malcolm, to convince him to work with her despite their rivalry.The thought made her pulse quicken, but she ruthlessly suppressed the reaction.
This is about the pack, she reminded herself.Nothing more.
After saying goodbye to Una, Larissa stepped out of the diner.She squinted against the bright sunlight, picking out the dust motes dancing in the air as she got into her car.
She began driving toward Malcolm’s house, rehearsing what she would say to him, how she would approach the subject of working together.All the while, she kept reminding herself to ignore the way her body seemed to hum with anticipation at the thought of seeing him again.
As she rounded the corner onto Malcolm’s street, she caught sight of him in his front yard.As she pulled to a stop in front of his house, she realized he was shirtless, his muscled torso glistening with sweat as he chopped up a mesquite tree he’d apparently recently removed from his yard.
The rhythmic thud of the ax hitting the wood echoed down the quiet street as she stepped out of the car.
At the sight of the play of muscles under his tanned skin, the intense concentration on his face, the raw power evident in every swing of the ax, desire pooled in her belly, and she fought to push it down.
Then Malcolm glanced up.A slow smile spread across his face, and Larissa’s breath caught in her throat.
No, she told herself firmly.Remember why you’re here.The pack needs you.Both of you.
Taking a deep breath, Larissa straightened her back and walked toward Malcolm.Her face was a mask of cool professionalism, betraying none of her inner turmoil.
“Hey,” she said as she approached, her voice steady.“We need to talk.”
Malcolm’s smile faltered slightly at her tone, but he nodded, setting down the ax.“Sure, Larissa.What’s on your mind?”
“I think maybe we’d better go inside.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything—merely nodded and led her in through the front door.
As Larissa prepared to explain what she’d overheard at the diner, she kept her gaze firmly fixed on a point just over Malcolm’s shoulder.She wouldn’t allow herself to be distracted by the way the light played across his features, or the lingering scent of his exertion that wafted across the hallway to her.
This was about the pack, she reminded herself.Nothing more.
And yet, as Malcolm’s expression grew serious, excitement shuddered through Larissa.
Together, they might just be able to save their pack.
And if working closely with Malcolm meant constantly battling her attraction to him… Well, that was a challenge Larissa was prepared to face.
For the pack.
CHAPTER 17
INSIDE, THE COOL AIRof the house was a stark contrast to the desert heat.Malcolm watched as Larissa’s eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, noticed her tight shoulders, the slight furrow between her brows.Something was bothering her, and it wasn’t just their awkward situation.
“Can I get you something to drink?”he offered, more out of a need to do something with his hands than actual hospitality.
Larissa shook her head.“No, thanks.This isn’t a social call, Malcolm.”
The formality in her tone stung more than he cared to admit.
“Okay,” he said.“What’s going on?”
Larissa took a deep breath, and Malcolm leaned forward, drawn in by the intensity of her gaze.
“I was at the Desert Sunrise Diner today,” she began.“Hannah was there, talking to some of the younger pack members.”
