Matt didn’t say anything, just focused on the dust puffing under hissneakers.
“You think he’s really worried about August being a distraction, or do you think it’s his way of getting meback?”
Without breaking stride, he said, “What do youthink?”
“I don’t know what to think, Matt. I don’t know Liam like youdo.”
“He’s not over you,Ness.”
Even though my limbs felt on fire from running, a chill crept into my bones. “You think he’d really face Cassandra without my help if something happened between August andme?”
“I’d hope he wouldn’t do something so dumb, but he was ready to challenge her without a Second, so yeah, I think he’d really schedule a showdown without you. Men will do stupid shit to impressgirls.”
“It wouldn’t impress me, though. It would just piss meoff.”
“It’ll get yourattention.”
Isighed.
“Look, I’m not sure I’d take my own advice, but if you can rein in your urges, then doit.”
I snorted. “Rein in my urges? I’m not someanimal.”
Matt grinned. “Beg to differ, Little Wolf.” After a beat, he added, “At least, try to repress yourlustfulness.”
The flush, which had started on my neck, engulfed my entireface.
“Did I just make Ness Clarkblush?”
“Shut up,” I grumbled, breathing hard again. “And I’m not blushing . . . I’m just overheated from this stupid . . .run.”
“Uh-huh.” He simpered all the way to his car. “Look, if anyone can tame their urges, it’syou.”
Hand pressed on the hood of his car, I pulled my ankle into my hamstring to loosen mythigh.
“Besides, we’re talking days, right? Not weeks?” Matt asked, muscles bunching in his arms and thighs as hestretched.
“I don’t know how long it’ll take.” I kicked a stray cigarette butt off the sidewalk and into the gutter. “Perhaps it’ll take the full five weeks wehave.”
As he got into his car, he said, “Well, I’m sure August’llunderstand.”
Yeah, I wasn’t sure about that at all. He still hadn’t answered the text I’d sent him lastnight.
“Same timetomorrow?”
I whipped my gaze off the squashed death-stick. “We’re runningtomorrow?”
“Every day until the duel. I’ll plan a different route,though.”
“What the hell did I sign up for?” Igrumbled.
“You signed up to save your Alpha’sass.”
“I don’t need muscle for that, Matt; I need a working brain and time tothink.”
“Little Wolf, if the fighting gets dirty, you’ll want themuscle.”
Matt’s comment eclipsed all my residualannoyance.
