No sign of Beau anywhere.My animal sensed he was close.She also sensed there wasn’t any reason for my heart to be pounding, so I played it cool and headed to my bedroom to get myself together.
It was far too easy to picture his body tangled in my sheets…
I needed a hobby, effective immediately.Something that occupied my mind more than the massive puzzle that I was still piecing together.Something to look forward to, I thought as I clipped the top of my hair so I could start to dry it.I heated up the curling iron and put on makeup.
There was no way we were going anywhere, but this would help me get into character.More importantly, separate fantasy from reality.Because the minute I walked out that door, my fantasy was going to be my reality.
Instead of getting dressed up, I put on a T-shirt and a super comfy pair of joggers.
Stalling, I went online for a minute, but it wasn’t very satisfying when I was forbidden from connecting with my friends.I checkedThe Wolf’s Moonsite, but it just made my heart hurt.I missed my life so much.
But if you were still there, you would’ve never met Beau, my wolf reminded me.
And now, I was afraid to face him because there was no script to follow.No team of writers to fix my mistakes.The last time I’d attempted dating I got myself into this mess.
Everything happens for a reason.My wolf refused to see this as a bad thing.
It would all be a lot easier if I didn’t want to jump the bear’s bones.
“You can do this,” I said to myself in the mirror and threw my shoulders back before heading into the living area.
Gigi greeted me in the hallway.I crouched down to give her some scritches.We might not have been exactly the same, but we seemed to share an unspoken language.She pushed against me, like I would do to show affection in my wolf form, and dropped a soggy Rudolf on my bare foot.
“Oh, someone’s got a new bestie.”That deep voice resonated deep inside me, and those muscles I’d made sing with just the thought of the man it belonged to vibrated in appreciation.
“You sound jealous,” I teased, but kept my gaze on Gigi, reminding myself of my latest role.I would deserve an award for this rendition of Kayla, the woman who did not have a massive crush on her bodyguard.
“Nah, I’m cool with sharing Gigi,” he said.“And I like seeing her comfortable with other shifters.A lot of people are scared of her, and she picks up on it.But as you know, she’s just a big marshmallow.”
“I’m not people,” I said in a funny voice, talking more to Gigi than the man who’d brought us together.“She knows we’ve got some very important things in common, right, Gigi?”
The whole back end of her body wagged in response.
“I’d love to see her reaction if you shifted,” Beau offered.
“Do you want to run together?”I asked Gigi, widening my eyes.Then for the first time since I’d come out of my bedroom, I cautioned a look at my bodyguard bear.“What does she do when you shift?”
“Fuck, you look incredible,” he said softly, following it with a quick headshake.“Sorry.Well, not really.It’s true.”
Heat blossomed on my cheeks and in some other places.My new role was being put to the test immediately.“Don’t be.I always appreciate a compliment.I might have overcompensated for feeling dusty after our ride earlier.”
Beau’s lips curled into a grin that promised nothing but sinful things.“You’re making me think I need to up my game.But I didn’t pack anything but T-shirts and shorts.”
“Your game is just fine.”I laughed as I rose from my petting position.Gigi pawed my leg in protest.“And I’m wearing sweatpants.Did you cook again?It smells amazing in here.”
His dark eyes lit up.“I did.I had a craving and ordered the makings of cheesesteak sandwiches.Probably should’ve asked if you were good with that.I’m used to cooking for a bunch of guys.I kept the mushrooms, peppers, and onion separate in case you wanted to modify.”
“Hell no.I’ll take it all.”I inhaled deeply.“Smells like garlic too.”
He shrugged.“The guys at the station like it on garlic bread.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to saymarry me, but that was definitely not part of my imaginary script.“That sounds delicious.And I’m starving.”
“Good, because it’s ready.”He turned and headed into the kitchen.
My mouth was watering not only from the aromas of the food, but also the sight of my delectable chef.I pulled up one of the high barstools on the other side of island and watched him in his element.
He took the garlic bread out of the oven, topped it with cheese, meat, and the veg, open faced, and put it back into the oven.
