Page 36 of What a Wolf Wants
“So far, you’re doing great.”
“It’s my new mission.”
She laughed. Then she got a call from Tori and thought she might have some news about the mystery man. “Hello, Tori. Ethan and I are having a drink at the hotel where I’d stayed. I’ll put this on speakerphone.”
“Oh, that’s great! Hey, I got the information on who sent the roses. It was Renault.”
“No. Why would he do that? I mean, he’s living too far away for me to date him seriously, and he’s not one of…uh, one of us, but also, why send the roses anonymously?”
“I know, right?” Tori sounded just as surprised about it.
“I can’t believe it,” Ethan said. “I know he hasn’t had a girlfriend in a while, but I can’t imagine he would think a long-distance relationship would work.”
“Well, he knows me from Destin, and he always acted like he was interested in getting to know me better. Maybe Renault is too worried about rejection to meet a woman and start up a relationship,” Charlene said.
“Yeah, he hasn’t had much luck with women. But why send the roses anonymously? That doesn’t make any sense. And he hasn’t gotten back into touch with you either, which is really strange,” Tori said.
“Okay, well, since he’s a DEA special agent, I’m not worried about his interest in me. And if you want to mention that I’m dating Ethan in front of him at some point, go ahead and do it,” Charlene said. “Once Renault learns of it, that should be the end of his interest in me.”
“Adam, Sierra, and I will make it our mission. We’ll set things up so we can be sure to talk about your newfound friendship that is going famously well where he can overhear us. And we’ll mention that we’re hoping to hear wedding bells in the future,” Tori said.
Charlene smiled at Ethan. “Yeah, that works for me.”
“The same thing for me,” Ethan said. “Let’s go for it.”
“Yay! We’ll definitely do it and let you know how it goes,” Tori said.
Charlene took a sip of her drink. “Good. I’m just so glad it’s someone I know and he’s not bad news.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Ethan said. “I know him pretty well, so I’m not worried about him.”
“Okay, good. I’m going to get with Adam and Sierra and hatch our plan,” Tori said.
“Thanks, Tori,” Charlene said.
“Thanks,” Ethan said. “We look forward to hearing how it went.”
They ended the call and Charlene ordered another drink from the server for the both of them. “That guy who was eyeing me?” Charlene said.
“Yeah, he left.”
“He’s over there talking to a lady in the pub now.”
“Maybe he was just waiting for her, and you distracted him,” Ethan said. They got their second set of drinks and clinked their glasses together. “This has been a great day.”
“Oh, I so agree. I never expected to have such fun companionship when I moved here. I wish you didn’t have a mission here but I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I never expected to be dating a wolf while I live here. I’m having a blast with you.” He leaned over and kissed her sweet mouth and she quickly fed into his need to kiss her. Yeah, she was just the person he needed in his life.
Chapter 10
Ethan and Charlene finished their drinks and then he drove her home. He couldn’t believe that everything had changed for him when he had met Charlene and she ended up in Oyster Bay too. He was totally thinking of making this his permanent home. He loved it here and he loved being with Charlene. When he parked at her place, he walked her to her front door.
“I had a lovely day with you,” he repeated, and she agreed, right before he kissed her.
She kissed his mouth with delicious intent, really getting into the kiss. She was so amazing—confident, caring, fun to be with, had a great sense of humor, and eager to go on all kinds of adventures—and he knew she was enjoying the intimacy between them as much as he was. Things were so looking up.
Then she pulled her mouth away from his and sighed. “Why don’t you come over for breakfast in the morning and then we’ll go hiking for berries.”
