I glanced at the clock on the wall by his desk.“Your silly clock.”
He leaned back and gave it a cursory glance.It had a cat dangling from the top number andHang In Therewritten in the center.“My brother sent me that when I was complaining about pack drama.He’s got a sense of humor.”
I scratched my fingernails over the back of his neck, and it was obvious by his slow blink that he liked it.“Why was that old T-shirt by your bed?Or do you always toss your clothes on the floor like a savage?”
He averted his eyes.“It had your scent on it.”
The thought of Lucian curling up in bed at night and pressing that balled-up T-shirt to his face to inhale my scent made my belly dip.“Well then.Since the shirt is ruined, you can keep my panties.Would you like that?”
“Yes,” he breathed.
My finger traced his Adam’s apple.“I better go.”
“Don’t leave yet.I’ll be out in a minute with your food.”
I listened carefully before slipping into the hall and hurrying outside.People were dancing and nibbling on desserts, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone knew what I’d been doing, and it made me examine my dress and pat my hair.
While waiting for Lucian, I looked over the deck railing and watched the crowd laughing and having a good time.A group of young people danced near the well, and grapes flew like artillery shells at the kids’ table.
Virgil marched up the stairs and smiled at me.“You have a glow.Was the security setup that intriguing?”
“It was certainly impressive.”
“If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that…” He added a shot of tequila to his punch.
Salem Lockwood joined us and poured himself a glass.“Good evening, Miss Thompson.”
“How are you?”
I wasn’t certain if I sounded too sympathetic.Salem and Joy had been a couple since they first arrived in Storybook, but now Joy was with Atticus.I didn’t know the details of how her relationship with Salem dissolved, only that Salem had never struck me as bitter or cruel.He had trustworthy eyes, a compassionate gaze, and worked hard to help people in the community.Obviously they had no qualms with him if he was still living with the pack.
“I’m ready for bed,” he replied with a suppressed chuckle.“We’ll be up all night cleaning and putting away supplies.”
“You did a wonderful job.This is the best peace party I’ve ever attended.No violence, great food, and it gave the community a chance to cut loose and make new friends.”
He gave a tight-lipped smile before sipping his drink.
A scream pulled everyone’s attention toward the side of the house.It didn’t sound like a playful one, like earlier when a mischievous kid tossed a frog on a woman’s plate.A group of men closed in on the commotion.
Lakota emerged from the huddle and shouted, “Doc!”
Salem’s drink spilled when he hastily set it on the table before bounding down the steps and rushing to the scene.I watched anxiously as the crowd gradually dispersed.
Walking at a brisk pace, Salem headed back with a woman in his arms.When I saw the red hair, I recognized her immediately as a local artist.
Virgil backed up.“Holy cannoli!What’s with all the blood?”
“Someone broke a bottle and didn’t clean up the glass.”Salem set the woman down in a chair and dropped to his knees.“Get my bag.Hurry!”
“Take it out, take it out!”she whined, burying her head in her arm.
I grimaced at the shard of glass in her foot.
“It’ll bleed,” he informed her.“Can you shift?”
“No.”With her body twisted to one side, she kept her face buried.“Will I lose my foot?”
Virgil barked out a laugh.When Salem gave him an admonishing look, he jogged inside to retrieve Salem’s medical bag.
