I started to look for my purse with my wallet, but he caught me by the wrist.
“This was work for them, but not for me.”
I ground my teeth, mostly because he was standing too close, and it started to mess with my common sense.
“Nonsense,” I said. “You should receive something for your work, and money is all I’m offering.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want anything.”
“Bullshit. Everybody wants something,” I blurted out.
He released my wrist and stepped back, running his gaze down the length of my body as if assessing me.
Yeah, this man wanted something. More than I was willing to offer.
“Look,” I said, “I don’t know what’s going on in your mind, but I’m only here for one thing.”
He angled his head to the side. “What would that be?”
“Work. To write, more specifically. I came here to write music. Not,” I paused and waved my hand in his direction, “whatever game you’re trying to play.”
“I don’t play games.” His voice was impossibly deep and serious.
He’d made a similar comment that night in LA when he was talking to that fighter. But I wouldn’t let myself fall into the trap of believing him.
“I’ve heard that line before,” I mumbled. I let out a relieved breath when Rayven walked in with two of the other movers.
“That’s the last of it,” one of the guys said.
“Thank you so much.” I moved around Gabriel. “I appreciate your help.” I let the workers know that I’d take care of the bill as soon as I opened my laptop as I followed them outside to the front yard.
I felt Gabriel’s body heat as he moved past me.
“I’ll see you soon, Lena,” he said.
I shook my head. “Music. That’s all I’m here for,” I insisted.
He responded with a laugh before turning to head for his car. The tattoo on his back looked as if it winked at me as he strode away.
“I watch a lot of National Geographic,” Rayven said.
“Huh?” I asked but looked back at Gabriel.
“Nat Geo, it’s one of my favorite channels,” Rayven continued. “I watched a documentary earlier this year on wolves.”
That got my attention, and I looked back at her. “Why are we talking about Nat Geo?”
“The doc said that once a wolf has you in his sights, you better watch out.” Her eyes moved over my shoulder.
An uncomfortable lump formed in my throat, and I turned back to see Gabriel grant me one final nod of his head before he got behind the wheel of his Camaro.
My future wife.
Those three words sounded in my mind as he somehow managed to keep his stare on me while reversing effortlessly down the long driveway.
Only when his car disappeared from my sight did I feel as if I could breathe deeply again.
“When a wolf locks his attention on you, there’s very little you can do to get away from him,” Rayven said before going back inside.
