Page 15 of When Annika Met Thom

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“And?”Thom prompted when Annika didn’t say anything.

He certainly was a man of few words.

She guessed that he assumed she’d talked to Leo.

“Leo said he’ll be back tomorrow. He said that you and I should work it out for tonight, because you’re his tenant and it’s his apartment.”

Thom nodded once, impassive as ever. He glanced at his watch, then surveyed the apartment as if seeing it for the first time.

“You’re not surprised.”

“No.” Apparently, he wasn’t going to expand on that.

Why had he told her to call Leo then—and made it possible for her to do so? He’d initially turned her away and could have just left her in the hall. It was hard to believe that he’d changed his mind.

No, she’d just misunderstood him at first.

“Then why did you let me think something was wrong?”

His dark gaze met hers steadily. “Did I?”

Those doubts fluttered to life again, but Annika wasn’t going to share them with a virtual stranger. “Of course. Why shouldn’t I stay here? Leo said...”

Thom shook his head and pushed a hand through his hair. “I’ve got to go to work. If you’re going to stay here, we need to get some things straight.”

They did.

She wondered whether they had the same list.

He pointed to Percival. “Leash or cage. Cerberus is loose in the apartment when I’m gone, so no guarantees otherwise.”

“I wouldn’t let him loose anyway.”

“Good.” He seemed to think everything was resolved and reached for his jacket.

Annika wanted to know more about Thom and guessed that he wouldn’t voluntarily tell her anything. “You knew Percival is a ferret right away,” she guessed. “You knew about that law.”

He nodded again. “And I knew you didn’t.”

“You saved me from making a mistake.”

That made two nice things he’d done for her. Why?

He reached up and offered his fingertip to Percival. An almost-smile curved his lips and Annika found herself staring. If he’d turned that smile on her, she might have done things she’d ultimately regret. She could feel the warmth of his hand close to her throat and the heat of his body. It made her tingle right to her toes. His skin smelled good too. “He’s kind of cute,” he murmured, that glint in his eyes.

Percival squeaked and dove into her jacket again, and Thom turned away. Annika found herself regretting the loss of his attention. “How did you know?”

He glanced up. His expression was obviously supposed to communicate his question effectively.

Annoyingly, it did.

“I mean, it’s kind of obscure information, isn’t it?”

“I had a girlfriend with four.” He paused, then said more, but it wasn’t what Annika expected him to say. “It’s hard to get vet care for them here.”

“What happened?” she asked as he stepped away from her, sensing that he’d admitted only the barest bones of the story.

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