Ever After (28 page)

She seemed disappointed in him now though.

“You’re not excited to work with me anymore?” he asked.

“My enthusiasm faded when you got all…cranky.”

“Cranky?” He chuckled. That was a nice way of putting it. If she were less polite, she’d tell it like it was. He’d been an ass, a pompous ass who not only underestimated her and distrusted her but hadn’t respected her either.

With the most sincere look he could muster, he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

“I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be.” He shook his head, saddened for her. How was she able to keep such a positive attitude surrounded by people who always doubted her? “You’re braver than I gave you credit for.”

She smirked. “All I had to do was jump off a cliff to win you over?”

“You did more than that.” Though she tried to pass it off as a joke, she needed to hear this. Everyone deserved someone who believed in them. “Not only were you smart enough to think of the door opener, but you had a connection to someone who could give us one. I think the people who underestimate you aren’t paying attention.”

“That’s everyone.”

“Not me. Not anymore.” He stopped and gazed into her eyes, letting her see the truth in his. “I see you, little wolf.”

Through her tough act, a small smile appeared. She needed building up in a big way, and for some reason, he wanted to be the one who did it.

They walked in silence for a while, his thoughts never straying far from the sweet-smelling woman at this side. Her scent—wild and calming at the same time—almost seemed to match the scenery. Clumps of pine trees casting shadows in the coming dark made it feel like they were in the middle of a fairy tale. But the fresh scent of the crisp air was heaven.

Just beyond the tree line, the white-capped river peeked through. Eden hurried forward. He followed her. What was she so eager for? As he filled their canteens, he watched Eden soak her hands in the running water. She winced and let out a little groan.

She’d been injured? How had he not noticed sooner?

“Let me see,” he said and held out his hands.

Hesitantly, she removed them from the river and placed them in his palms. Red and swollen, her fingertips looked incredibly painful. One nail had completely fallen off, and a stream of blood made a pool in his hands.

“What happened?”

“From scaling the cliff.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “Now I see how you got down.”

She shrugged.  “A small price to pay. It wasn’t as if you could fly me down.”

“Stay there.” He went to his backpack and pulled out his spare T-shirt. “If you’d given me more time, I might’ve found an easier way down.”

With a haughty look, she said, “I didn’t feel like waiting.”

He chuckled then ripped a piece of his shirt.

“Hey! Don’t do that. You’ll need that later.”

“Shush.” He strolled over with the cloth and took the hand where the nail had broken. Gently, he wrapped the makeshift bandage around the fingertip then tied a knot. Brown eyes peered up at him. She held still while he cared for her. So trusting.

It took him a moment to realize he’d finished and was just staring at her. She didn’t seem to notice either. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. He pictured kissing her, breathing in her sweet scent, playing with her mouth, tasting her. She looked like a passionate little thing. Was she as playful in bed as outside of it? If so, he could have fun with her. Tease her, wrestle with her, play games of dominance. It was a natural thing for a supernatural male. And a feisty werewolf like her wouldn’t give in easily.

“Thank you.” Her voice sounded hoarse.

Did she desire him as well? Gods, it’d been forever since he’d wooed a woman. Since Jara. The painful reminder shook him out of the daze. He swallowed hard and stepped away. Fuck. What was he thinking? He’d just daydreamed about fucking his work partner.

A one-night stand was one thing, but he’d sworn off serious relationships. He almost laughed at himself. As if Eden was even an option for a mate. She was smarter than he’d given her credit for, but that didn’t make her marriage material. However, those breasts and that adorable backside made her quick-fuck material.

“What’s wrong?” She looked up at him, all innocence and sweetness, and he wanted to kick himself. How could he even think about reducing her to an object like that? She deserved better.

“Uh, nothing. We should make camp.” When had daylight left them completely? Though the moon was nearly full, the shroud of trees kept most of the light out. “It got dark fast.”

“Yeah.” Even in the dim light, he could see her wicked smirk. “Guess my superb night vision is pretty helpful, huh?”

Brat.
“Yes, it is.” With a playful little push, he propelled her forward. “Now use it to find us a flat spot to camp, little wolf.”

“Aye, aye, Captain. Only not near the water.” She turned a circle then pointed into the woods.

“Why not?”

“Animals are drawn here. We’ll be left alone if we camp somewhere else.”

That was one way to do things. “I can shift into a bear, sweetheart. I don’t usually worry about animals bothering me.”

“Why defend yourself from trouble when you can avoid it from the start?”

“Because walking back for more water tomorrow morning is a waste of time and energy.”

She spun to face him. “You know what else is a waste of time and energy?”

“What?”

“Arguing with me. Just admit I’m right and move on. I won’t think less of—” His sharp pinch to her ass made her cut off with a squeal. “Hey! What was that?”

Though she sounded offended, the big grin on her face gave her away.

“I should toss you into the river, little brat.”

With a look of mutiny on her face, she placed both hands on her hips. “I’d like to see you try.”

He arched a brow. Daring thing. “Really?”

Her casual shrug turned this into a challenge. One he couldn’t turn down. A moment later, he leapt for her. She ran, disappearing into the darkness of the trees.

Fuck she was fast. And she had the advantage of better vision. As he tripped and stumbled over roots and rocks, he could hear her giggling up ahead. He made a mental note never to challenge a werewolf at night.

Only a few minutes later, he couldn’t even hear her laughing. Where the hell were they? He slowed to a stop when he hit a small clearing. The tree line made a circle around an area of patchy grass. Light from the moon filtered in through the clouds. He listened hard for any sign of her, but all he could hear was his own panting.

Did she get lost? He could shift and find her if he had to but—

A body flew into him from the side, and he toppled sideways and hit the ground with an
oomph
. Eden straddled him, laughing deliriously. It was so loud and outrageous he found himself chuckling, too, even though she’d bested him. He wasn’t used to being outsmarted by a girl.

When the laughter died down, she leaned in and said, “I found us a camping spot.”

The light of the moon made her eyes twinkle, resembling the night sky. “I noticed,” he rasped. The urge to kiss her was almost too strong. Just when he was about to grab her, she jumped up.

“I’ll get us firewood,” she said then disappeared before he could do so much as tell her to be careful.

****

Twenty minutes later, they had a small fire roaring as they nibbled on their meal. Eden was still riding a high from the chase. For the first time ever, she felt a connection to her werewolf side. Instinct came alive, and little pricks of electricity danced on her skin.

Dalton had chased her. They were playing. She’d heard it was the werewolf way. Mates teased and played and chased. They wrestled for dominance. She yearned to do that with someone she loved and trusted.

Trust was growing with Dalton, which was a good thing, considering they were partners for the time being. But now, watching him eat in contemplative silence, his skin glowing in the light of the fire, all she felt was lust.

His true character was beginning to push through the initial conceit. He’d been kind and gentle when he’d cared for her injured finger. More than that, he’d admitted she had value.

I see you, little wolf
, he’d said. The memory gave her shivers. How long had she wished for that? For a man to simply see her for who she was, not what she was?

Every past relationship had ended before they’d gotten serious. Well, before the other half had gotten serious anyway. She wore her heart on her sleeve and had fallen in love with several men. They doted on her, called her beautiful, romanced her. Then, when it came time to settle down, they left her with an explanation that things could never work long-term for a shifter and a werewolf. After the first few heartbreaks, she’d toughened up. Maybe being the temporary girlfriend was her lot in life. No marriage, no kids, no one to share her future with. She distracted herself from those unpleasant thoughts with plans for the following day.

“Are you gonna shift into a wolf for tomorrow or not?” she asked Dalton.

He tore into a strip of jerky and thought for a moment. “Yes. I’ll give it a try.” After a swig from his canteen, he stood and took a deep breath. “This could get messy. Don’t laugh at me.”

She squeezed her lips together and mumbled through them, “I promise I won’t.”

He nodded then backed away from the fire and stopped in the darkest patch of the clearing. She could hear him slip out of his clothes, and she wished he’d stayed closer to the light. The shadow beyond the fire made it even harder for her to see, though watching him bare that sexy body wouldn’t help her libido any. Not after the adrenaline rush from the playful chase. She’d wanted him to catch her so bad. To catch her then pin her down then –

“Okay,” he said. “Here goes.”

The sound of bones snapping made her cringe. Maybe it was better that she miss the show. He groaned, and a shudder crawled up her spine. She knew that feeling. The feeling of release when you finally finished the shift. It happened faster the more you did it, but never really went away.

For a moment it was silent except for the shuffling of feet – or paws – on the ground. She squinted into the darkness. “Come into the light so I can see.”

An animalistic grunt came from across the fire, sounding like a protest.

“Come on,” she coaxed. “We won’t know if you’re close unless I can see.”

Another moment of silence. She waited patiently, and then she heard a footstep and another. Just beyond the fire, a shape appeared. A paw thumped onto the ground in full light beside the fire. A wolf paw. That was promising. The figure came fully into the light, and she gasped.

He had the face of a bear, but she could see parts where he’d tried for a wolf. The long tail. The paws. The hunched-over back and patchy fur was a cross between a bear and a wolf. It was grotesque. And though it would scare plenty of people, it wouldn’t make a good impression on the pack. She grimaced. It didn’t look like a comfortable fighting form either.

“Um,” she said as politely as possible. “Try again. Just focus on the body first. You look like you’re halfway there.”

He gave a small groan, but he stepped back into the dark, and she listened to the sounds of shifting and shuffles against the ground. Another few moments passed, and then he came back into the light. The body was right. A brownish-gray wolf, a little on the large side but passable.

But the face…

She tried to hold it in, but a strangled snort escaped her. He growled.

“I’m sorry!” she said, letting out another short burst of laughter. “You look like an Ewok.”

He shook his head in an animalistic way, and the snout grew longer. Then he sneezed, and the fur around his eyes disappeared. Another big shake and he was fully wolf.

With a big smile, she clapped her hands. “You did it! Bravo!”

He bent his front paw and dipped his head in a wolfy bow.

“I’m impressed!” She gave him flirty smile. “Though the Ewok was cute.”

Without warning, he leapt at her. She squeaked and scrambled back, but he landed on four paws over her, trapping her under him. He stared down at her and bared his teeth. She had to remind herself he wouldn’t hurt her.

“Okay, doggie. You made your point.” She wriggled back then froze when he growled in warning. Staying put, she looked up into his black eyes. “Can you shift back to human faster?”

He grunted like she’d offended him.

“Let’s see then, show off.”

Keeping her pinned with his gaze, his body began to shake. When she realized he was going to do it right there on top of her, she squeezed her eyes shut.

Bones crackled again, and she tried to scoot back. A moment later, a heavy weight pressed down on her. It wasn’t furry, so she peeked one eye open. Dalton looked down at her, sweaty and panting but wearing a cocky smirk.

She chuckled. “Not bad. For a shifter.”

His eyes narrowed, and then he bent his head and nudged her T-shirt up with his nose.

“What are you—”?

He nipped her bare belly.

“Ouch!” She jerked underneath him.

“Be nice, little wolf. I’m feeling feral.” He bit her again.

She gasped, but it sent a delicious chill down her spine. Her stomach clenched when he rose up over her. His eyes and predatory smile promised wicked things. It was hard to swallow. She took in the lines of his arms as he held his body weight above her. Defined muscles, smooth skin. So lickable.

The way he stared down at her, motionless and with a growing hunger in his eyes, made her almost shake with nerves. He looked as though he wanted to eat her alive. And it’d been a long time since anyone had done that. She should say something.

“Um.”

A growl rose up from his chest, and then he kissed her. She tried to pull away at first, but when he grabbed a handful of her hair to hold her still, she melted. Her lips moved to keep up with his as he tasted her, coaxed her, played with her. His tongue poked into her mouth, begging for her to play along. She opened her mouth wider, and their tongues danced. She drank him in—his wild scent making her feel wild, too. He smelled like man and comfort and Dalton. She wanted to roll in it. Mark herself.