“Dig in,” I tell her.“Take it slow.It’s been a while since you’ve eaten this much.”
She nods and grabs her fork while I take my seat next to her.My bear curls up inside me, content to be this close to her… for now.
“Have you lived here long?”she asks, taking a bite of chicken.
“Three years or so.I moved here after my parents died.Needed a new start.”
Vivian takes another bite of her food.“What do you do?Do you have a pack job?What is a pack job?”
“No, there aren’t many pack jobs, not in this pack anyway.It’s just the Alphas.I’m a woodworker.I build furniture, cabinets, that kind of thing.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah.It’s relaxing.”
“You’re good at it,” she says, nodding toward the cabinets.
“Thanks.”
We eat in silence for a beat.
I clear my throat.“What about you?What do you do?”
“I just graduated from college.I was looking for a job, and that’s why I came for a visit.I knew I wouldn’t have time once I started working.”
“What was your major?”
“Accounting.I’ve always been good with numbers.They made sense to me, you know?”
“Yeah.I mean, no.I’m terrible with numbers, but I get how something clicks for you.”
She smiles, and I can’t help but smile back at her.
“You could work here.I need help with my books, and I know other businesses that could use the help.”
“Maybe.”
She leans back in her chair once she’s finished eating.“What happens now?”
I stand and clear our plates.“Well, I’ll do the dishes.Do you want to take a shower or a bath?You can borrow whatever you want from my closet or dresser,” I offer.My bear and I both like the idea of her wearing our clothes.
“No, I mean I’ll shower, but I was asking what happens next with us.”She wrings her hands nervously.
I want to gather her in my arms and comfort her, but I settle for leaning against the counter next to her.“We’ll go at your pace.Whatever you’re comfortable with.I should warn you, though, that the full moon is tomorrow night.I know what it’s like for shifters, and I think humans feel it too.”
“Feel what?”
“The mating heat.”
“That sounds… intense.”
“It is.It’s this strong desire.As the full moon rises, our need for each other will grow stronger.”
“Need.”
“Lust,” I offer.
She blushes.“Oh.”
