The soft glow from the lamp in the front window spilled across the room. It bathed everything in its warm amber light. It wasn’t bright enough to chase away every shadow, but it made the apartment feel warm and welcoming.
Keena swallowed hard. She shouldn’t be here. Every instinct she had ever trusted being an enforcer told her to turn and leave. She should apologize again for kissing Brice and then leave before she complicated things even more.
Mine.
“No,” she muttered under her breath. Her wolf had a different plan.
“What did you say?” Brice called out from somewhere in the apartment.
“Nothing.” Keena straightened. She sighed, slightly embarrassed to be caught arguing with her animal.
“Oh, I thought you were talking to me,” Brice laughed.
Keena quietly shut the door behind her. Warmth from the apartment wrapped around her almost immediately replacing the December chill. Even though she was a shifter and ran hot, she didn’t get as cold as humans would, but she still felt it. In her animal form, her beast loved the bone chilling air and the mountains of snow that would be outside in the wild.
She looked around. The apartment wasn’t large, but it was open and inviting. The living room flowed naturally into a small diningarea and kitchen. This area had been remodeled along with the shop downstairs. Keena remembered the previous owner had utilized this space as storage. She could appreciate the handwork that went into turning it into a living space. It represented everything about the woman who lived there.
Keena noticed one thing that stood out. Books. They were everywhere. A tall bookshelf stretched across one wall. It was packed so full that paperbacks had been stacked horizontally on top of the shelves. Another shorter shelf sat beside the television and was overflowing with hardcovers and small bookends shaped like dragons. Keena narrowed her eyes on those. Her animal huffed.
Why not a set of wolves?
A tiny Christmas tree stood in the corner beside the window decorated with minature books and other holiday ornaments. The white lights glowed brightly against the dark green branches.
A knitted blanket had been tossed carelessly over the arm of the couch. Another thing she noticed was that Brice apparently had not only an obsession with books, but candles too. They were everywhere. On the mantle, the bookshelves, the kitchen counter, on the end tables and even the window ledges. She breathed in and caught each fragrance.
Vanilla. Orange peel. Cinnamon. Cranberry.
They all blended in together with the lingering aroma of coffee and something sweet. It wasn’t overwhelming for her shifter nose, but it felt like…home.
The realization caused Keena to stiffen. Her own cabin suddenly flashed through her mind. A couch, a chair, one coffee mug left drying by the sink…one toothbrush…everything for one person.
Brice’s apartment was her home and every detail revealed something about the person who lived there.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Brice said. She flew out of the bedroom and headed to the kitchen. “I’m just going to get the coffee started.”
“Um, thanks.” Keena pinched the bridge of her nose. Her wolf paced beneath her skin and was enchanted by everything that smelled of Brice.
Mine.
“You are becoming a problem,” she whispered. She didn’t want Brice to think she was talking to her again. Her wolf only huffed again.
“I was going to light the fireplace.” Brice appeared carrying a stack of split firewood balanced in her arms. She set the logs near thecold hearth. “But…”
“But what?” Keena glanced toward the stone fireplace.
“I’m not really good at it.” A sheepish expression came across her face. She looked so damn cute. She rubbed the back of her neck nervously. Keena raised an eyebrow at her. “I usually smoke myself out before it actually catches.”
A surprised laugh escaped Keena’s lips before she could stop it. Brice looked ridiculously pleased that she had managed to coax the sound from her even if it was accidental.
“I’ve got it.” Keena moved over to the hearth.
“You don’t mind? I love having the fireplace. That’s what enticed me about the building. One down in the shop and one up here,” she said.
“It’s not that hard,” Keena said. She knelt down in front of the hearth with a sure confidence. She had plenty of experience from years of camping and long winters in the White Mountains. Brice hovered nearby for a second before she went into the kitchen.
She arranged the kindling perfectly and tucked a few smaller pieces beneath the larger ones and left enough room where air could get through the pieces. She struck a match and the flames caught almost immediately. Within moments, firecurled around the wood. A sharp crack echoed through the room as one of the logs settled.
“Show off,” Brice playfully grumbled behind her. She leaned against the counter and laughed. “I’ve officially decided you’re useful to keep around.”
