But just like at the wedding, I sense his presence looming behind me. Only the wolf doesn’t overtake me, but instead keeps pace. After multiple turns and him not making any move to pass me, I can’t put up with my annoying shadow any longer.
I whirl on him with my most seething glare. “What are you doing?”
Manny attempts an innocent expression. “Nothing.”
“You’re following me.”
“We’re headed to the same place,” he points out.
“Well, get there on your own!”
The wolf tilts his head, wearing the most infuriating smirk. “Why would I do that?”
And as much as his answer enrages me, his strategy also makes sense. There’s no point for him to break off from me, not when he can beat me in an all-out sprint. If we part ways, I might happen upon the exit before he does. But if Manny stays by my side, he can overtake me the moment we find the break in the corn.
The wolf wants me to solve this maze for him.
“You’re such an asshole,” I hiss.
“Am I?” He leans toward me with something in his eyes that I can’t interpret. “Maybe I’m just doing everything I can to get you to stay.”
The bet. Of course that’s on his mind.
“Why? So you can torture me on a daily basis?”
Manny lets out a huff that sounds exasperated. “I can think of a lot of things I want to do with you, Blossom Fernmore. But torture is not one of them.”
I narrow my eyes at the wolf the same moment he reaches out to catch a lock of my hair that’s come free from my ponytail to tease my cheek. Gently, he tucks the strand behind my ear.
“What are you doing?”
Is that my voice? Why do I sound so breathless?
Must be from all the running.
He gives me a rueful smile. “I’m trying to figure out how to convince you to want me the way that I want you.”
I choke on my next breath, shocked by his confession.
Manny Ramirez wants me?
No. This can’t be real. He’s up to something.
That’s when I see his other hand out of the corner of my eye. Reaching for me.
No, wait. He must be reaching for my scarecrow. No doubt he’s planning on chucking it over the closest wall of corn so I have to scramble to find it while he sprints off to victory.
And he thinks I won’t notice because of this half-assed seduction attempt?
Well, two can play at that game.
And I don’t do anything half-assed.
“Manny.” I groan his name, trying to sound needy, and I swear there’s a spark of fire in his eyes. Triumph at fooling me most likely.
Then, I lunge forward, wrapping an arm around his neck and pressing my mouth to his, as if all I want in the world is to devour his intoxicatingly delicious tongue.
I don’t, of course.
