Shock poured through him.“How did you...Never mind.I was obviously a damn bloody fool talking out of my arse, and I am sorry my own inadequacies hurt you.”He had no idea how she knew he once thought that was the truth.It certainly wasn’t the case, since she moved an entire continent away from him.Seems he had a lot more to make up for than he first thought.“I was bitter and resentful, and I thoughtlessly lashed out.That is my shortsightedness, and I’m sorry I painted you in such an ugly light.I only ask that you give me a chance to make it up to you.”
“I’m not sure...”
“Please, Mairi,” he urged.“Let us start over.I’ll be better.Let me prove I’m more than my bluster.”
He had to be better because his entire future lay in her hands.
“Please don’t break my heart,” she whispered.
He cupped her face and stared her in the eyes.“I promise.We may not know each other just yet, but I will never hurt you again.That is my solemn vow to you.”
Then he bent his head to press his lips against hers, and once more, he was shaken down to his core.How could one chaste like kiss rip apart a foundation he thought had been rock solid?Her silken lips pillowed his, and a moan filled the air.Not sure if it was from him or her, all he knew was he wanted more.Wanted her with a hunger than bordered on desperation.When her lips parted under the pressure of his, he swept his tongue inside to deepen the soul-shattering kiss, and wrapped an arm around her waist to bring her body flush against his own.Eventually, they came up for air, and he leaned his forehead against her own.Each other’s hot breath fanned across one another, and their harsh breathing filled the small break room.
When they pulled apart, they stared at one another, and he understood the wonderment in her beautiful eyes, because he felt it too.His entire world shifted on its axis, and he couldn’t even say he was disappointed or scared.Even if it was simple wolf hormones throwing them together, it seemed like the High Luna knew exactly what she was doing when she paired couples up.Weren’t all biological hormones a simple way to bring two people together?
“I, uh, I should get back to work,” she whispered.
“Aye,” he agreed, but he didn’t let her go.
She smiled.“You have to let me go.”
“Never,” he said and gave her a chaste kiss on the tip of her nose.“But I understand you need to get back to work.”
He threaded his fingers through hers, and with one last lingering kiss, led her from the break room back to the coffee shop.Two people were in line, so Mairi jumped in right away to help.Since he didn’t want to bother her, he slipped around the counter to the door.He glanced back one last time, and she gave him a small, tentative smile and waved.
His heart soared.
Chapter Nine
Jericho brought histruck to a stop in the driveway of the Parsons’ home.He eyed the dilapidated trailer with distaste, wishing he could bring Juniper and Clover to live in town.It would take a load off his mind so he wouldn’t worry they were out here all alone.The yard was nothing short of a junk pile.Half a dozen old, rusted cars lay in various stages of decomposition.Cinder blocks were the jack to hold them up as the rubber tires slowly frayed from time and the elements.There were two refrigerators leaning against the trailer.An assortment of tools, junk, toys, and numerous other odds and ends littered the area.
“This place is a pigsty,” Ledger muttered.
“Yep,” Jericho agreed.
Just then, Doctor Rosedale’s car pulled in behind his truck.Jericho and Ledger exited the truck and came to stand by the doctor as he turned off the engine and got out.
