Page 9 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Terrance grunts. “Fine.”

“Have you learned anything?”

Terrance frowns. “Nothing yet, but today isn’t the day to worry about it. I’ll not ruin Nora’s dinner.”

Before I can argue that it wouldn’t ruin anything for me, Parker nods and Terrance takes the wine to the dining room. Once Terrance walks away, Parker hands me the other bag. “This is for you.” I peek inside, and a grin spreads across my face. “It’s the same as the coat you bought last time, to replace the one that was ruined.”

I take the coat out of the bag and try it on. I really do love it. I owe Parker a thank-you. Taking a deep breath, I step close to him and force my arms open. Surprise lights up his face, and he quickly accepts my hug before I can change my mind. His arms come around me, and I relax a little as he gently squeezes me. “Thank you, Parker. That was thoughtful.”

“It was my pleasure.”

I should let go, but I can’t seem to do it. I’ve always been drawn to Parker, and right now the man smells so good my eyes roll back in my head as I inhale deeply, breathing in the scent of him.

His hug tightens, and his fingers find their way into my hair. He quickly voices what he’s thinking. “You look so beautiful,” he murmurs. “Thank you for inviting me tonight.”

“You know I couldn’t have this dinner without you.”

It takes everything I have in me to step back, and when I do, I know that my face is flaming. I shrug awkwardly. “You’re important to me.”

Parker’s face softens, and he runs the back of his hand over my cheek. His thoughts aren’t what I expect. He’s surprised that I admitted I care about him, and he’s having a hard time keeping his emotions in check. His feelings for me are a lot deeper than I thought. I knew he wanted me physically, but he genuinely cares about me. When he speaks, he voice is thick. “You’re important to me, too.”

My chest constricts again, and I have to step back because his thoughts are overwhelming me. I swear these people are all going to kill me tonight.

The intense moment is shattered when the front door opens and slams shut. “Hello?” Wulf calls out as he tromps down the stairs. He’s capable of being as quiet as Parker; he just never bothers.

“We’re here!” I yell.

He and Rook appear seconds later, each carrying covered dishes. “Green bean casserole,” he says, holding up his pan.

Rook holds his out next. “Homemade three-cheese macaroni.”

Wulf hands his dish to Terrance, and Rook holds his out to me. When I reach for it, he pulls it back, forcing me to step closer to him. “You’ve avoided me this week,” he says, his heated gaze burning into me.

I suppress a shiver. “No, I haven’t. I’ve just been recuperating.”

“Lie!” Wulf calls out, and Rook smirks.

I yank the macaroni from Rook’s hands with a groan and take it to the dining table, muttering to myself. “Damn werewolf lie detectors.”

Both men chuckle, and a pair of arms slide around my waist from behind. I stiffen, and both Oliver and Parker tense up. Terrance takes a step toward me, a murderous look on his face for the man behind me. I shake my head at all of them and try to fight through my panic.

“Relax, Nora,” Rook murmurs, pulling my back against his chest. “It’s just me. You know me. You know I would never hurt you. And even if I did start to lose control, you know Terrance would rip me to shreds before I ever got the chance to do anything.”

That makes me chuckle. As does the way Terrance puffs out his chest and beams with pride. There’s nothing T-man loves more than playing the role of my surly bodyguard.

When I relax, Rook dips his head to nuzzle my neck. “You know the more you avoid me, the more I’m going to chase you, right?” His thoughts are distracted.She always smells so damn good.

“Rook…” My voice trails off. I can’t even remember what I was going to say.

His lips brush my neck, and I shiver violently. He growls a low, rumbly purr in response. “Yes?”

I sigh, and I hate how contented it sounds. I’ll never convince him to stop if I can’t sound like I want him to. Maybe I don’t want him to. I don’t know.

“We’re good together, Nora. I can smell your attraction to me. I know you—”

“You cansmellmy attraction?” I find this horrifying, and it snaps me out of the spell he put me under.

Rook laughs. “It’s a shifter thing.”

---