“How did Vreeland and Rafe meet?” asks Cassia.
“They work out at the same fitness club.”
Cassia frowns, chewing her bottom lip. “That’s a bit unusual, don’t you think? Werewolves and vampires rarely frequent the same clubs.”
Pru shrugs. “Rafe moved to Sturgeon Bay in late spring. Vreeland says he’s planning on joining a pack in the vicinity but hasn’t gotten around to it yet. For now, he’s hanging out with the vamps.”
Cassia catches my eye and gives me one of her “stranger danger” warning gazes. Every super knows that lone wolves are often bad news, and any wolves hoping to relocate are supposed to check in with the local alpha within a few days… not weeks or months. I realize Cassia means well, and she’s been through the ringer with her ex, but I don’t need her mothering me. I get more than enough of that from my actual mother.
I’m sure Rafe has his reasons for biding his time, and I’m not going to let that faze me. “Rafe sounds cool… and maybe a bit deadly.”
Pru and I chortle, but Cassia looks away uneasily. I wish she’d lighten up; it’s not like I’m going to marry the guy. I simply want to date someone I find attractive, and if he’s got a little edge to him, so what?
“Who’s deadly?” asks a low, gravelly voice from behind me. “Do I need to sharpen my claws?”
I turn toward the newcomer and wind up taking a step back. Since he’s arrived with Vreeland and Julien, my vampire guy friends, and I can see the wolfhovering beneath the gold flecks of his brown eyes, I assume this is Rafe. Dressed all in black, he’s every bit as muscular and dashing as Pru said, with his tousled dark hair and square, stubbled jaw. A jagged pink scar mars one pale cheek, and I get the distinct impression Rafe solves his problems with his fists, which doesn’t bother me the way it would bother Cassia. I prefer action over words anyway, even if that sometimes gets me into trouble.
This guy’s giving off bad-boy vibes from here to Milwaukee, but I’m not worried. My magic may not always behave, but I’m a strong faerie and can take care of myself.
As Rafe waits for my reply, he casts his eyes over me and smirks. My heart speeds up at the way his gaze sharpens, as if he’s ravenous…for little ole me. Okay, a teensy warning bell just tinkled inside my head. I’m going to have to slow this werewolf’s roll; Rafe needs to know who’s in charge, and it’s definitely not him.
“I’m deadly,” I reply, folding my arms across my chest. “So don’t cross me, wolf.”
That earns a guffaw from Rafe. He grins down at me. “So I’ve been warned.”
“Oh really.” I glance over at Pru, who gives me a wink; apparently she’s told Rafe something about me. I just hope she didn’t overshare. She’s leaning against Vreeland Silva, her fiancé, a cute vampire with long brown hair and eyes that twinkle with humor. Pru has good-natured Vreeland wrapped around her gel-tipped pinky.
Vreeland sweeps his free arm in the air, making theintroductions. “Rafaellus MacTire, this is Sophie Spellman Brownlee and her cousin, Cassia Spellman.”
Rafe smiles first at Cassia and then at me, his eyes lingering on my face before slowly scanning the rest of me. He’s taking his time checking me out, and I’m turning pink from the extra attention.
Cassia holds up the blinking pager. “Looks like our table’s ready.” She falls into step beside Julien Drakus, whose dark good looks are every bit as appealing as Rafe’s. He and Cassia are good friends but nothing more; Julien is the only photographer Cassia will hire when she’s planning a wedding, her side gig when she’s not working at my parents’ restaurant. As a top-notch supernatural photographer, Julien returns the favor, sending plenty of business Cassia’s way. They also share a similar personal history that’s solidified their friendship; Julien’s supermodel ex-wife left him and their young son a couple years ago.
Rafe saunters alongside me, his muscled arm brushing against mine. “I hear you’ll be opening a bakery soon in Riddle Hill. How’s it going?”
“Oh… things are a bit messy right now. The shop’s interior is still under construction.” An understatement, but technically true. Wrinkling my nose, I recall Leslie T. Barker. “Unfortunately I’m also dealing with a rather thorny legal issue.”
“A legal issue?” Rafe grins, his teeth flashing white as we take our seats. “And here I thought you were an honest faerie.” His tone is light, but I sense a steely toughness beneath his smooth exterior that leaves me feeling slightly breathless and unsettled.
Averting my eyes, I scan the menu the server handed me, unwilling to let Rafe see he’s unnerving me. No one rattles Sophie Spellman Brownlee, the most fearsome faerie to barely graduate from Riddle Hill High. More than a decade later, my pranks have become the stuff of legend, although in retrospect, I’ll admit I went too far with my last stunt. I wouldn’t have graduated if my parents hadn’t paid for the damages to our science lab and offered free meals to anyone whose clothes were ruined by my exploding lime-green super goo.
“I’m an honest businesswoman,” I reply coolly, closing the menu.
“Of course you are.” Rafe gives a growly chuckle.
I glare at him, but his eyes are twinkling with humor; he’s obviously teasing. Leaning against the back of the chair, I can see I have an audience. Everyone around the table, even my cousin, is waiting for me to explain. “My elderly auntie left me an inheritance along with one very unpleasant employee.”
Cassia quirks an eyebrow. I give her a little head shake; I know she’ll pepper me with questions later, but for now she’ll remain discreetly silent.
“Ah.” Rafe replies knowingly. “If your employee’s bothering you, I’ll be happy to show ’em who’s the boss.”
An image of Rafe and Teddy locked in gruesome werewolf combat pops into my head. I don’t think Teddy, the infuriating cleanliness freak, would survive the encounter. My throat goes dry; I may not like Teddy, but I certainly don’t wish him bodily harm.
Waving my hand, I say breezily. “No need; it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Well if you change your mind, let me know.” Rafe smirks. “I’ll gladly manhandle anyone who gets in your way.”
Cassia scowls at Rafe’s somewhat menacing statement, but it’s obvious he’s flirting. Enjoying this little game with Rafe, I shrug. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
