“No.”
“You know the guys all adore her, and if Enzo or anyone sent her on her merry way, and she took all her food and baked goods with her, the men would be pissed,” Blake said.
“Which is why I have warned Astrid she should not be flirting with my men,” Lord said.
Blake instantly winced.“Ouch, tell me you didn’t.”
Lord stared at him.
“You know, Lord, when a guy likes a girl, there are two approaches.There’s the whole, ‘treat ’em mean and keep ’em keen.’Personally, I don’t know how that one works, because it makes the guys sound like utter dicks.The other way is talking to them.Being nice.Like my wife, Nancy.I talked to her, got to know her.I found out what she liked, then I used that to my advantage and she loves me now.”Blake smiled.
Blake was a happily married man and a father of three.Lord adored his kids.Not that they came out to the ranch that often, unless it was summer break.They were a busy family.Three boys Blake liked to tire out and keep busy so they stayed out of trouble.
“Your point?”Lord asked.
Blake let out a growl.“Are you being a pain on purpose?You clearly like Astrid.Stop being a dick to her, and try being nice.”
“I don’t like Astrid.”
“You been to the library lately?”Blake asked.
Lord glared at him.
“See, the only reason you go is for Astrid.I never believed the bullshit about wanting to be well-read.You were so full of shit.”
Lord put the rope back into place and turned toward Blake.“She works for me.”
“And?You don’t think bosses and employees haven’t fallen for each other in the past?”Blake asked.
“She’s human.”
“As if you give a shit about that.Wolves and humans mate.We’re seeing it more and more in town.We’re all starting to live happily together.Don’t be a dick just because you don’t think it is going to work.”Blake rolled his eyes.“You know, there will be more guys like Enzo out there, and they are going to see a gem like Astrid.You might want to snap her up and claim her for yourself, before someone else does.”And with that, he was gone.
Lord glanced down to see it was getting close to six.Dinner would be served soon.He didn’t like the thought of Enzo being there with Astrid, helping her set the large table.It was getting cold, so the table indoors would have to be set.
Lord took a step toward the barn door and stopped himself.It was not his place to help.Yet, for some odd reason, one foot moved in front of the other, then the next, and the next, and he found himself in the kitchen.Astrid was alone.
The scent of beef filled the air, and he was about to let his presence known when Astrid turned and jumped, letting out a squeal.The wolf inside him was not happy with how startled she was, and his first instinct was to attack.He wanted to protect her.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
There was nothing to protect as he was the one who startled her.
“It’s fine.Honestly, I was not expecting anyone, and you just took me by surprise, but it’s all good.”She offered him a smile.“I’m just getting everything on the table.It’s beef Stroganoff for tonight.”
“Sounds delicious.”And it smelled even more so.His stomach started to growl, but Astrid was already making her way around the dining room table, putting out the knives and forks.
Plates were already lined up at one end of the table.This seemed to work.Astrid served, passing around the plates, and the men ate.
He grabbed several cans of soda and put them at the places on the table.All the time, he tried not to admire the rounded curves of her ass.Those cheeks were so plump, so inviting, and he wanted to reach out, cup them within his palm, and give them a delightful slap.
He didn’t do that.Touching Astrid would be wrong.
It was strange, because he could smell her sweet vanilla scent, even among the scent of beef.Her natural smell was so strong, but not so overwhelming he couldn’t breathe.She was intoxicating.
“You know, if Enzo did ask me to the dance, I would have said no,” Astrid said.“I don’t flirt.I don’t know how to flirt, and there is no way I am going to any kind of dance.”
“Why not?”
