Page 18 (1/2)

"Don’t getI’d like more than for you to let so, and you’re getting too used to it--and yeah, your wolf’s partially to blame for that But this would be a really bad ti about it"

Honest with himself about his liood at relationships It wasn’t just because his wolf fought him so hard The si Probably because he typically didn’t connect with people

"So, we’re agreed that you’ll just content yourself with staring at her legs?"

Zander sighed "Are we really having this conversation?"

"It would see Now"

"Fine" Bracken took another swig of his beer and stood "I’ll be five minutes I need to--"

"I really don’t want to knohat you’ll be doing in the restrooed down more of his own beer That hen he scented Gwen approaching, and his wolf retreated again

Gwen set two plates of food on the table "Here Enjoy" She was about to walk away, but then a large hand rested on her leg She froze, watching as Zander used his thuh She had no idea why the movement seemed almostsensual

"You had so," he told her "Of course, if you’d been wearing jeans"

"Are we still on that?" she snapped, impatient

"Yeah, we are"

Gwen stifled a smile at his hard tone "Hmm I see"

"See what?"

"You’re one of those people"

"What people?"

"You can’t let it go when you don’t get your oay You can’t just chuck shit in the ‘Fuck It’ bucket and get on with your day"

His et my oay"

Well, Gwen could see that She could also see that although he sat alone, he didn’t look alone Maybe because he dominated his space so completely He appeared at ease with his own company, not lost or lonely the way many pack animals did "I realize that shifters are tactile, but could you move your hand?"

"You don’t need to be so uneasy I won’t bite Yet"

"Whatever," she scoffed, going for aloof He slowly removed his hand and then licked the sauce fro her eyes the entire time She sed hard "Enjoy your meal"

"I will" Zander’s eyes followed her as she walked away, only shifting from her when Bracken returned and blocked his view

Iood I e could take the chef ho by his unifor on Gwen’s porch when he and Bracken first arrived at the B&B

Zander noted that none of the patrons greeted the sheriff waraze Most of theuy wasn’t well respected at all Maybe if he wasn’t looking down his nose at everyone, it would be different

Zander tensed when the sheriff reeted, "Sheriff" There wasn’t an ounce of respect in the title, which was probably why the hu around you" The sheriff adjusted his gun belt "Yvonne said they’re wolf shifters They’re staying at the B&B for a while, and they’ve offered to help with the Brandt situation" Suspicion laced every word