Page 60 of Wolf's Providence

“Didn’t say that,” I countered with an ease that belied the tension I was feeling. “My job right now allows me to work from home.” Which wasn’t a lie. Protecting Willowwasworking from home. Her home. But they didn’t need unnecessary details.

“And how long are you here for?” Raymond asked, his eyes still shrewd.

“For as long as Willow wants me here,” I countered smoothly.

I heard Lily’s impatient huff and Lorna’s murmuring to her husband about how sweet that was. But I kept my gaze locked on Raymond’s, knowing the answer didn’t satisfy him. His jawclenched, but before he could say anything else, Willow leaned forward, her hand on the menu.

“So, what’s everyone having?”

As discussion picked up about who was ordering what and what appetizers could be shared, Willow leaned into me, and I could feel her unease, but despite that, she forced a smile. “You’re doing great,” she said quietly, low enough for only me to hear.

Lorna asked her if she wanted to halve a pizza with her, and Willow turned back to the conversation.

Even with her encouragement, it was hard not to feel like an outsider. Ostracized. Every glance in my direction felt like a spotlight on how different I was. When Noel asked me where I was from, I gave him the vaguest answer I could manage without lying outright. Small town, moved around a lot, definitely an American. That seemed to satisfy him, but a glance at Raymond told me he wasn’t buying it.

Food ordered, it arrived not long after. The bonus of Italian cooking, everything was fresh and cooked quickly.

Willow ate her chicken parmesan quickly, and I caught the slight look of surprise on Lily’s face when Willow leaned over and asked for a bite of my veal.

“But it’s a baby cow!” Lily protested.

“Mm-hmm, meat, yummy, I want some,” Willow said, looking directly at me, but the look of hunger in her eyes had nothing to do with the meat on my plate.

The dinner dragged on, and I listened to her friends tell her about the town gossip that she’d missed. Though I was confident Willow would have missed this had she been in town these last few weeks. Even now, she looked bored at their retellings of what had happened. The only piece of gossip, if that’s what it could be called, was that Alistair’s dad had figured out the pattern tothe break-ins and gave his ass a kicking. Then dragged his son to every house and made him apologize and offer to make amends.

The sheriff had deemed that appropriate punishment.

Alistair’s dad had also kicked his wife out and was going to be staying more permanently in Whispering Pines. Willow looked both sad and happy for her young friend, and I wrapped my arm around her as she listened.

The only highlight of the evening was watching her smile and laugh with her friends, her cheeks flushed with happiness and the heat of the room. There was something about seeing her so content that made me…protective.

But as much as I enjoyed seeing her enjoy herself, I couldn’t settle. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Raymond didn’t drop his stare, and neither did his daughter, but it was more than that. It was irritating me, and despite having my back to a wall, I still had the urge to look over my shoulder.

When the bill came, it devolved into a three-way argument between the women. Lily thought couples, or father-daughters, should pay a third. Lorna wanted everyone to pay their own for fairness, and Willow wanted to pay for it all. Raymond excused himself to go to the restroom, saying Lily’s vote would be the same as his.

When he came back, he’d settled the bill. Lorna gushed at his generosity, Lily rolled her eyes, Noel murmured his thanks, his ears turning red with embarrassment, and Willow seethed beside me. Her “thank you” was neither heartfelt nor sincere.

Which was why I was going to fuck her to oblivion when we got home. Willow had invited them out, so it was for her to pay it all if she wanted. Taking that choice from her by an underhand move was shitty.

His intention may have been good, but I’d seen my girl bite her tongue too many times today.

Dipping my head to her ear, I spoke so lowly Willow may not have heard me. “You’re going to come on my tongue so much tonight I’ll never be thirsty again.”

My girl stiffened in surprise at my words, and the little intake of breath got my cock hard as her scent overpowered the stench of garlic. If I’d known making her wet was a relief for my nostrils, I would have whispered dirty promises in her ear all night.

The evening had finally wound down. Lorna was still talking—when was she not?—but I felt myself finally relax a little. Willow was pressed into my side, almost subconsciously, as if the tension and the pretense of the night had taken a toll on her too. Lorna and Noel had accepted my presence, Lily too, although I knew she resented the fact she was softening towards me. The only one who was pissing me off now was her father.

Eventually, Willow’s gaze met mine, a hint of relief in her eyes. “I’m ready to go if you are?” she murmured softly, the question just for me.

“More than ready,” I replied, a touch of humor in my voice, and welcomed seeing her bright smile.

We said our goodbyes, and as we stepped out into the cool night air, I took a deep inhale of the pure air. Willow’s hand slipped into mine, settling me once more as she tugged my hand to look at her.

“Thank you for this,” she said quietly. “I know that was a lot for you, and I know it wasn’t easy. I really appreciated it.”

Pulling her a little closer, I dropped a kiss on her lips. “For you, I’d face worse.” Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to her head, knowing how true my words were.

We started the walk home, when Lily came barreling out of the restaurant, yelling for Willow.

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