Rafe winks. “Anything you say, darlin’.” He releases me slowly, trailing his fingers down my back.
Ihatethis guy! And there’s no way I’m going to be able to stomach him for Pru’s wedding. I need to come up with an alternate plan that won’t ruin my friend’s special day… and will ensure Rafe keeps his distance.
I scramble into the boat, grab my bag, and head into the cabin reserved for guests, where I change into light-colored jeans and a lightweight, white hoodie; the air temperature is already dropping as the sun slowly sinks to the horizon.
As I’m wrestling with how to put Rafe in his place, it dawns on me I know a lot more than the average faerie about werewolves. Knowledge is power; let’s see if I can make Rafe as acutely uncomfortable as he’s making me. I rub my hands together as I ascend the steps, ready for a little payback.
We’re sitting at the table mounted to the deck, enjoying the cold chicken dinner Pru packed. I’m sipping lemonade; Rafe is having a beer, and my vampire friends are drinking tart cherry juice to help manage their cravings for that other red liquid. Unfortunately, the juice also stains their lips bright red, which is off-putting if you’re not used to it. I notice Rafe keeps glancing up at them and then quickly looking away. He also keepsbumping into me, despite the number of times I’ve shifted away from him on the bench seat.
Biding my time, I wait until there’s a lull in the conversation, and then I turn to him. “Remind me again… how long ago did you move to Sturgeon Bay?”
Rafe takes a long swallow before placing his beer can on the table. “It’s been seven weeks.”
“O-oh.” I draw out the syllable. “What do you think of the local pack? Do you like them?”
I can feel Rafe stiffen slightly next to me, but his voice is cool as ever. “How should I know?”
“But aren’t werewolves supposed to check in with the pack alpha soon after they relocate?”
A muscle in Rafe’s jaw tightens. “Some do and some don’t.”
“You mean you don’t have to check in at all?” I bat my eyelashes innocently.
“Only if I feel like it.” Rafe places his hand over mine and squeezes. “I appreciate the concern, but I think I know a bit more about werewolf culture than you do.”
Gah! This guy is so arrogant. Smiling sweetly, I withdraw my hand and reply, “Of course.”
Pru and Vreeland have been watching our exchange with interest, and Vreeland starts to say, “Oh, but Sophie’s?—”
Pru knocks into her glass of cherry juice, spilling some on Vreeland’s shirt. “Oh no! I’m so sorry, Vee! Why don’t you go change your shirt, and I’ll soak this one right away so the juice doesn’t leave a stain.”
I arch an eyebrow at Pru to let her know I know what she just did, and I definitely owe her. She’s savvyenough to realize I was probing Rafe for information about his werewolf status, and she figured I wouldn’t want Vreeland mentioning my close ties to the local pack.
“Okay.” Vreeland shrugs, oblivious to his fiancée’s shenanigans, and retreats to his cabin below deck to change.
“Poor guy.” Rafe shakes his head. “He seems kind of accident prone tonight.”
As soon as the boat docks, I thank Vreeland and Pru for a lovely evening, say goodbye to Rafe, and walk briskly toward my car, anxious to get home.
Rafe falls into step beside me, and I smother a sigh. “When can I see you again?”
“I guess the next time will be at Pru and Vreeland’s joint wedding shower.”
Rafe flashes his most charming smile, which might make some women swoon, but it’s not working on me. “You can’t fit me in any sooner?”
“Afraid not,” I reply, trying to sound sincere. “I’m on a really tight deadline to get the bakery ready for its grand opening.”
“Well, if you could use some help…”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. My new employee has turned out to be very helpful.”
“Oh really?” he sounds surprised. “I thought your new employee was giving you trouble.”
Now I could kick myself for oversharing about my personal life when we first met. When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut? “Not at all… it was just a misunderstanding.”
“I’m glad to hear it, but if anything changes, my offer still stands.”
We’ve reached my car, and I want him to leave; I’m dying to be alone. “Your offer?”
