Right. The research doc did not mention this. Not that I’m opposed to Taylor Swift or anything. But just the idea of this guy liking her and being very proud of it makes me sit back in my seat and relax a bit. A Swiftie wouldn’t lure someone into a jail cell with the promise of a fancy dinner, would they?
“You can change it if you want,” he offers like the nice little man he is.
I realize I have said nothing about his choice of music yet.Did he want my approval afterall? Or was he expecting a snide comment based on our history and my overall personality? “No, it’s fine,” I wave him off.
His eyes turn to me, then go back to the road. He lowers the volume. I’m happy because this space doesn’t need any more eerie vibes. Being stuck in a car with a werewolf detective is enough.
“How was work today?” he asks.
“Busy,” I tell him.
He nods. “The weather got better at least,” he laughs awkwardly. “I’m always bitter my parents moved here when it’s a fact we’re always hot, you know?” he says, his eyes trained on the road.
Wow, two minutes in and we’re already talking aboutthe weather. This thing is crashing before it even takes off. Not that I can blame him. I haven’t given him anything. Maybe I should try to be nicer? Wasn’t that the entire plan? Be nice, so I can learn about his intentions, and go back to not thinking about him when he isn’t right in front of me?
“Yeah, summers can be difficult,” I nod. “You grew up here?” I add. See, I can be nice, and at least it’s less boring thanthe weather.
“Yup, and never left,” he says proudly. “Where did you grow up?”
“Minnesota. Moved here a few years ago,” I tell him vaguely.
“Man, you must hate it here then.”
I consider it. He’s left the windows open, so a warm breeze hits my face as he navigates through traffic. I think about Ashley, the grown-up surly teenager who apparently has a thing for hulky werewolves, then again, it’s somewhat of a universal thing. About the friends I’ve made despite my best efforts. About the forced hangouts at Matt and Oliver’s. “Not really. I kind of like this weather better,” I nod.
He turns to me at the red light. “Not a fan of cold?”
I shake my head. “No. You love it though, don’t you?” I ask casually.
His eyes narrow. “Why would you think that?” His voice drops low.
I feel his words reverberate through me, raising goosebumps along my skin. What the fuck. “Um, you said you’re always hot?”
He smiles, like he wasn’t being a fucking weirdo a second ago. “Oh yeah, I prefer cold,” he says and hits the gas.
I decide we’re better off not continuing conversations while we’re stuck in a small metal case. Not that I’m scared of him or anything. The guy is a giant teddy bear. I’ve been forced to hang out with him enough times to know he wouldn’t harm me.
But you know, he is still a werewolf who could kill me in a second, and he’s apparently touchy aboutthe weather.
Chapter Eight
Measured Flirting, Masked Truths, and Murder Boards
Nick
The conversation fizzles out. When Elliot looked spooked at my questioning, I was sure I had him. But then, the reaction could be because of the sheer size difference between us. The guy is tiny. He could pass for a college kid if he didn’t have that indifferent with a pinch of vicious expression on his face all the time. Though something tells me he had it even back in college, too.
But if someone can pull the whole ‘don’t you dare utter words in my direction’ look, it’s definitely him. If I hadn’t seen him switch to a more agreeable personality for clients firsthand, I’d have worried about his business. But this Elliot, the social one, isn’t for the weak of heart. Good thing I love a challenge.
And then there’s the uncomfortable detail that my werewolf is enjoying the spicy scent laced with a hint of sweetness filling the car a little too much.
I peer at Elliot through my periphery. He’s sitting straight, his lean body stiff. He might look slight and slender at first glance, but the man clearly works out. And not just for the looks, like most people in the city. The way he holds himself, the grace in his movements, and the quiet strength of hisbody suggest he trains for agility and power.
Whatever he does, it’s clearly having a great effect on the looks department too. Wearing those pants with that ass should be illegal, it’s so distracting. Not that I tried hard not to be distracted. I know the date isn’t real, but I’m not stupid enough to appreciate a nice view when it’sright there.
Good thing it’s not gonna turn into something serious because I’ll never be comfortable with how easily this man distracts me. And I don’t even know why. The first time I saw him at Matt and Oliver’s Christmas Party, I knew I had to talk to him. My wolf practically dragged me to him. Even when he was being what I now know as his default level of mean, I continued to seek him out. Maybe I just wanted him to feel included in a room full of people he’d never met.
And then disaster struck, and Elliot witnessed a part of it. That gave me the perfect excuse to pursue him. Not in a creepy way or anything. I mean… only slightly in a creepy way. But if his intense hazel eyes and mysterious vibe weren’t the pull, his complete denial of having seen what I witnessed him watch made him even more intriguing.
