The offer was there whether there was snow or not. He bit the words back before coming on too strong.
* * *
During dinner,the conversation flowed. Since there was nothing they could do about the Sacco pack, but wait, they were able to relax.
Once they moved to the sofa with refilled wine glasses, facing the fireplace, he asked her, “Tell me something, Aurora. If you had the opportunity to do whatever you wanted in this world, without feeling any obligations to anyone else, what would you do?”
She tilted her head and gazed at the fire. “You sound like me.”
“How so?”
“I often ask clients who come to the store to visualize what makes them happy that way.”
He nodded. “Does anyone ask you?”
She gazed off. “No, I can’t think of anyone.”
“Well, I’d like to know.”
The corners of her mouth turned up with an appreciative smile. “I think I’d like to open my own store one day, one like my aunt has. As I’d mentioned, I love working with people and helping them visualize what they want—and maybe even helping to make them come true.”
“That’s quite admirable of you.”
She peered at him. “What about you, Grayson? If you could do anything you wanted with your life, what would you do?”
Grayson stared into her eyes for several seconds before he replied. “This. I’m proud of all our pack has accomplished in creating the resort. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Here, I get to live with my pack and do so in a way with all the comforts of the human world.”
“But?”
“Why do you say that?”
“I sense you’re leaving something out. What’s missing?”
He laughed. She read him so well.
“You’re right.” He searched around the living room. “Lately, I’ve felt like I’m missing something. Despite our success with the resort, there’s something inside me that feels…” He shook his head. “Empty.” He shrugged. “Does that make sense?”
She nodded with an understanding expression. “It does completely. Many of us feel that way sometimes, me included. Something seems to be missing.” She tilted her head. “What do you think it is for you?”
Should he say it? Maybe he shouldn’t have opened his mouth after all, but she was so easy talk to, her gentle voice so understanding, and the way she looked at him wasn’t at all judgmental. Her wide, expressive eyes showed that she was truly interested.
“That all of this...” Confusing emotions stirred inside. “That all the success we’ve had is superficial. I’ve spent so much time devoted to the pack and building the resort, yet recently I’ve started to realize I’m losing out on other parts of my life, more important parts. What’s the point of this success if I don’t have somebody to share it with?”
Aurora touched his forearm. “I know what you mean.”
“Ah, we understand each other, Aurora. Maybe we were destined to meet.” His voice sounded odd as he treaded on dangerous territory.
She turned her head. “Do you truly believe that?”
He shrugged.
She gave him a gentle smile. “Well, for you, as a wolf shifter, I’m sure the missing pieces will fall into place once you find your mate.”
His pulse jolted. “Yes.” He swallowed.
“I’m sure you’ll find her one day. Don’t you?”
He already had—and he was talking to her.Tell her, tell her!His wolf insisted.
