He nodded. “Animals will break. If you work them right. You just have to have the touch.”
“Do you?” Winter asked.
He nodded. “I do.”
“Have you ever found an animal you couldn’t break?”
“Nope.”
"There's always one," she said as she raised her wine glass.
"Not yet, there hasn't been."
They finished their dinner, moving on to small talk about movies and television. Simple stuff, really. But it was different. The energy between them had bumped a few notches.
He could feel a growing desire in himself. More than just the lust to claim a pretty woman. This was desire. Desire to make her explode--being responsible for her needs and wants and cravings.
The more he got to know Winter, the more he wanted to crack her shell. To see what made this woman tick.
Maybe even fill in the holes that were under that shell.
He noticed them every once in a while.
For her family.
Her kids.
Those things she was most protective of.
Those were also the things she likely had the most holes in too.
After the meal, even though he wanted her to relax, Winter insisted on helping clean up.
Together, it was quick.
Easy.
And comfortable.
Unlike the desire earlier in the evening, this was companionable. Granted, his desire was still there, but this was different.
It was in a way just friendly.
They were getting along well and laughing and just enjoying each other’s company.
Which he appreciated. He hadn’t enjoyed someone’s company for a long time.
“Did you want to have a nightcap before you go?” Shaun asked.
Winter glanced at the door. The wind had picked up and snow was starting to fall again. Heavily. Even in the house, they could hear the howling outside.
Shaun walked over to the window. “It’s getting bad out there.”
She nodded. “I probably should get going.”
He glanced at her. “Are you sure?”
“I really shouldn’t stay,” she said.
