Page 18 of Runaway Wolf
“You were probably the complete opposite, weren’t you?”
“Yep. Long hair, golden brown, with blond streaks and ends. Just a hint of lip gloss and mascara. A collared dress, a blazer jacket. Because I wasn’t as brave as she was. I wanted to break the rules too. But by the time I figured out how, she was gone. And I just sort of melded into the role I was supposed to. It happened so slowly, I wasn’t even aware of it. That’s on me.”
“No, it’s not. You were a child primed by a parent on how to think. What to believe. But you’re smarter than that. You know how I know?”
She looked up at him. “How?”
“Because you listened when your sister talked. The sister who had been twisted in your mind to only be a trouble maker. You listened. And you met her people and didn’t judge. You kept an open mind. You’re making your own decisions and that takes guts too. Not just rebellion. You’re brave, and smart, and beautiful.”
Right now, staring into each other’s eyes, their chests lined up and perfectly in sync with their breathing… God, she wanted him to kiss her. Did he want that too?
But then he ruined it.
“I got a half-chub for you right now.”
She belted out a laugh. “You’re an animal.”
“You got that right.”
“Well, you’re on your own with that one. I’ll get the door and you can peg-leg it outside,” she chided.
“Well, I’ve got the bags then,” he called out, his grin wide as she opened the door and held it for him.
He was fun to be around, just him and her. Now she was looking forward to these little traveling trips they might take.
Together.
“Let’s drop these off at the car and we’ll head over to meet the others?”
“Okay,” she agreed.
Yes, she felt like she was flouncing around a little, but she couldn’t help it. The shoes felt even prettier because they were a present.
Carrying the bags in his arms, he smiled down at her as she chatted all the way through the parking lot.
“I’m babbling,” she finally said. “Call it sleep-deprived. I had a hard time last night. The drive here, the fight with Penny, then my dad. Then Penny left with Noah and I stayed in her place alone—”
“I thought you looked tired this morning. I should have brought coffee.”
“Cheaper than boots.” She grinned.
He huffed. “And a hoodie. Matching jeans to mine, because I thought you’d think it was cool if we wore them together.”
“What?”
He looked uncomfortable. “Girls like things to match.” Then he looked unsure. “Don’t they? You and Penny wanted matching boots.”
It made her laugh. “We do like to match,” she assured him. They’d reached her car, so she clicked the remote to open the back hatch.
He set the bags inside, and she reached for one, digging through it.
“Oh, my God. You really did. You bought me more stuff? How did you get my size?”
“By staring at your ass and boobs all day.”
She barked out a laugh. “Such a gentleman.”
He shrugged. “I’m a catch. Big dick, too. Don’t let me get away.”
