“I see some things,” he said, smiling at her. “What do you do at Willow & 2nd?”
“Pretty much everything but the finances. I order books, deal with patrons, stock the shelves, and help my coworker Emery plan bookish events.”
He continued to work while she ate, asking her questions about her life and her job. He was hungry to know about her so he could treat her right.
He was entirely charmed by her. She was sweet and funny, and proud of herself for coming to a restaurant alone. While she didn’t come outright and say it, clearly she’d had some reservations about coming to a shifter tavern by herself, and he could understand that.
When he’d finished all the tickets and she was done eating, he said, “You got the kitchen for a bit, Marco? I’m going to take a break with my Juliette.”
She made a humming sound and he saw her smile.
“Yeah, no problem.”
He dropped her plate and drink off at the dishwashing station and took Juliette’s hand and led her out to the back patio that they used as an employee break area when the weather was nice. A picnic table sat in the center of the patio and string lights lit the space. They could see the river and the lights of Mill Creek across the bridge.
He pointed to the row of houses behind the bar. “That’s where my pack lives.”
She followed his gesture and stared into the darkness. The porch lights were on, but it was too dark to really see the houses clearly.
“So, you can walk to work? I love that about the bookstore. I live a street behind it, and unless it’s really crappy out with the weather, it’s fun to walk. My bestie Cass and I live in the split-double and walk together.”
“Cass the barista?”
“Yep.” She turned and faced him, tilting her head up to smile. “You listened.”
“Of course. I want to know everything about you.”
Her head tilted slightly and he caught the curious gleam in her eyes.
“I liked learning about you too. You’re mesmerizing to watch in the kitchen. I’ve never had a guy cook for me before.”
Good.
“You liked it? The burger?”
“Absolutely.”
He stepped closer and she inhaled softly, the scent of her arousal spiking again. She smelled like honey and peaches. He slowly placed his hand on her lower back and drew her against him. She was petite and perfect, with curves that made his hands ache to explore, and the most kissable lips of any female ever.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said gruffly. “Me and my wolf.”
She splayed her fingers over his chest. “I feel like I was meant to come here.”
“You were,” he insisted. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. “Do you understand that I’m a wolf and you’re mine?”
She let out a slow breath and her fingers dug into his chest. “I feel really drawn to you. I… don’t understand it but I like it.”
She lifted her chin a little and leaned into him and he kissed her again.
This time, it wasn’t a one and done kiss.
He went all in.
He poured all of his newfound feelings into the kiss, saying without words that he was so glad she was there. That it felt like a thousand years had already passed but now he was getting rewarded with the softest lips and the most perfect curves.
He splayed his hand on her back and pulled her closer, then spun them to press her against one of the wooden posts. She let out a gasp and he ate the sound, deepening the kiss and gently wedging his thigh between her parted legs. He pressed against her and she gripped his shirt with a soft moan, rubbing herself on his leg.
He cupped her face and tilted her head, kissing along her jaw, drunk on the sweet scent of her and his wolf’s happy howls. He returned to her lips, kissing her as he slid his hands down her sides and pulled up her shirt, slipping his hands to her soft belly and running his fingers along the top of her jeans.
