Page 24 of Small Moments
Chapter Twenty-One
Rin felt like she was floating on a cloud and it seemed like everyone noticed, not that she was trying to hide her joy. But she may as well have been carrying a neon sign that said ‘Rin Hayashi had sex and it was fantastic’. Though, to be fair, not everyone attributed her good humor to sexual release. Margaret Tully commented, “Well, aren’t you a chipper little thing this morning.” David Tully had chuckled and added, “Glad to see you so happy, Rin. Things must be going well at work, but then, Ginny’s a great lady.” While Ginny, had taken one look at Rin and her smile had turned positively evil as she’d sized up the situation. “Only one thing puts that kind of satisfaction on a female’s face. Remind me to congratulate Mike on a job well done.” Rin had felt her cheeks go hot, but her smile had also grown in size. Yes, she was absolutely satisfied and couldn’t wait for a repeat performance.
If Rin’s face hadn’t tipped everyone off, the love bite on her neck certainly would have, but a turtleneck sweater had easily covered the area. She had expected it to be much worse than it was considering Mike’s reaction, but when Rin had examined the mark in the mirror, she had found only a crescent of red at the juncture of her shoulder and neck, with some darker purple spots where his canines had sunk into her flesh. He hadn’t even broken the skin.
Rin didn’t mind the mark at all. Truth be told, it amped up her excitement since she recognized it for what it was – a mating bite. Mike’s wolf had chosen her despite her being a fox; a high honor indeed. But Mike wasn’t upset because he’d marked her, wolves were far too possessive for that. No, he was upset because his human side had lost control and he could have accidentally hurt her.
“Are you ready?”
Rin felt those butterflies swirl in her stomach at just the sound of his voice, but the sight of him, well, that sent the swarm into a frenzy. He looked amazing. He was dressed casually in jeans and a leather jacket with a t-shirt beneath, after all, they were only going to the DMV, but he looked good to her in grease stained coveralls, so there was a possibility that she was slightly biased.
“Let me just check in with Ginny.”
Grabbing her coat, Rin didn’t even make it to the door before she heard Ginny call out, “I’m fine, go, get your permit. Hopefully they won’t be too busy.”
Unfortunately, they were. Not as busy as movies and TV shows portrayed the place, but still quite a crush of bodies waiting for their number to be called.
Mike used the time to quiz her, and Rin appreciated the help. With the knowledge fresh in her mind, the test was a breeze, and before Rin knew it, her photo was being added to a Vermont state learner’s permit and as soon as they were out the door, Mike was handing her the keys to the sedan. “At least the roads out here are properly plowed and maintained. Cake,” he added with a wink.
This time, Rin actually got her speed up to twenty miles per hour before her foot was hovering over the brake – so, progress – but she still didn’t feel comfortable behind the wheel. “Am I ever going to get the hang of this?”
Mike’s hand reached across the space to settle on her knee and give it a little squeeze. “It takes time. You’ll get there,” another squeeze, “and if you decide driving just isn’t for you, I’ll be your chauffeur any time.”
Rin wanted to turn and look at him, wanted desperately to see his face, but she didn’t dare take her eyes off the road. Especially when up ahead, there was a big truck, a very big truck, a tractor trailer truck, and it looked like it was coming straight for her – fast. Letting out a little squeal, Rin wanted to close her eyes, to brace herself for impact, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!”
Mike did his best to calm her with his assurances that the truck was on the other side of the road, in its own lane, that she was doing fine, that no one was going to crash, but she’d managed to work herself into such a state that she thought for sure she was going to hyperventilate. As soon as they were able, Mike had her pull the car over.
Once the vehicle was parked, Mike unclipped his seatbelt, wrapped his arms around Rin, and smoothed a hand down her hair and back. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t think I can do this.” Rin’s words were muffled against Mike’s jacket, but he heard them.
“Then you don’t have to.” Pushing her slightly away from him, he smiled gently and kissed her forehead. “You have your permit now if you change your mind, but no one is going to force you to drive if you don’t want to.”
Rin nodded, her breathing starting to even out now that the danger had passed and the car was no longer moving. She and Mike switched places, and within moments they were on the road again, music filling the space now that she was no longer behind the wheel. “Do you think I’m a coward?”
Mike turned his head to glance at her, the look of confusion on his face telling. “Of course not. Driving isn’t for everyone.”
The words were nice to hear, but Rin still felt like she had somehow failed, and it wasn’t sitting well with her. She was about to suggest she try again, but another approaching truck had the words sticking in her throat. Okay, maybe not on this road and maybe not today, but shewouldget a handle on her fears and try again. Her chin lifted with determination. She wasnota coward.
“Hey, we still need to celebrate your achievement.” Mike’s words pulled Rin from her silent pep talk and she felt the vehicle slow as he put on his directional to turn into the parking lot of a restaurant. “Cake?”
“Good,” Mike called out holding his hands up in front of him, a thick pad attached to each, as Rin worked on her punches. She was sweating, her breath coming in hard pants and her shoulders were burning, but it felt good too, and helped her work out her frustrations of her earlier display of cowardice. Jab, jab, she moved around Mike as he turned, another jab before he called out again, “Okay, mix it up now.”
“She could kick your ass, Runt.”
The unfamiliar voice had Rin dropping her fists and turning her attention to the doorway. The male was big, tall, with a barrel chest and thick limbs; square jawed with brown hair and a friendly smile. Rin recognized him only in that she knew she had seen him before, but she had no idea who he was. And runt? Who the hell was he calling a runt?
Mike laughed and stripped the pads off his hands, “She absolutely could. I have no doubt she could kick both our asses if we piss her off, so watch yourself.”
Rin welcomed the praise, even if it was a gross exaggeration of her skill, but she also welcomed Mike’s arm that snaked around her waist and pulled her in close to his body. A thoroughly possessive display in the presence of another male, and maybe Rin should be ashamed of herself, but she couldn’t help feeling a thrill. After all, if their visitor had been a female, Rin couldn’t say that she wouldn’t have done the same, or something similar.
Mike dropped a kiss on her cheek. “This big gorilla is Tim, the guy I’ve been telling you about.” And then to Tim, “This is Rin-“
“The Vixen that stole your heart.” Tim cut in with a wide grin. “It’s nice tofinallymeet you.”
The emphasis was noted and met with an eye roll from Mike. “I was going to introduce you to her at Connie’s shindig this weekend. Are you bringing your nurse?”
As the two males settled into conversation, Rin gave Mike a little squeeze in silent communication and then extricated herself from his side. He immediately noted the movement and her absence, but he didn’t complain as she went to continue her workout, this time with the heavy bag. She didn’t want to intrude on their conversation, nor did she relish the thought of being a third wheel, especially since, aside from Connie, she didn’t know all of the people they were discussing, and without explanation, very little of it made sense. Besides, she was getting a stiff neck trying to look up at Tim; the male was a full head taller than Mike! Rin must seem like a toddler to the male.
Connie’s party had been the talk around The Cedars recently. The grand reveal of the new salon Connie was opening and Rin was looking forward to the event for several reasons. First, she was quite sure it would be fun. Second, she’d be able to meet more of the town. And third, it was the first gathering she’d be going to with Mike as a couple. Nothing like announcing your relationship status in a big public way. Okay, so maybe she was a teensy bit nervous about that. After all, what if some people didn’t approve? Foxes may be essentially canine, but they weren’t wolves, and prejudices were all too common. While she could easily thumb her nose at public opinion, these were people Mike had grown up with, people he respected, and people who may be able to sway his decisions.
No, she couldn’t think like that. Mike had chosen her, even more important, Mike’swolfhad chosen her. No amount of outside influence would change that. The next punch Rin threw was harder than expected and the shock to her arm had her wincing. Taking a moment, she rolled her shoulders and stretched. Her ears perking up as she caught just a snippet of conversation from the two males. Tim was saying something about a big payout again in Rutland next week. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but hushed voices were pretty much useless against fox ears. And a big payout? A big payout of what? What were these two up to?
