“Thad told me your name,” I grunt.
“Well, maybe he was mistaken. We only met a few minutes ago.” Her eyes flick to my pack mate. Her hands are clumsy as she tries to sign her words, clearly forgetting half of them.
Thad, to make up for the holes, has his stare focused on her mouth. I know he’s only trying to read her words as she speaks them.
Still, I barely restrain the urge to gesture at him to get his leering gaze off her tantalizing lips.
Mine.My wolf does not want to share.
He’s not even attracted to women, I argue with the beast, like my psyche has split in two.And she’s not mine. I don’t want her.
“I’m Juliet Adair. The new librarian in town. Working full-time. Setting down roots. Aka not leaving.” She holds out a hand for me to shake.
Her overly sweet tone almost distracts me from the hesitant skip before she spoke her name.
Strange.
Pretty, my wolf adds.
Then her last statement registers, and I barely keep from grimacing.
Maybe she doesn’t have an exact end date, but I’m sure she’ll get tired of a small town full of secrets eventually. All outsiders do.
Reluctantly, I accept her handshake. My wolf shivers with happiness at the touch of her fingers. I’m surprised to notice the rough calluses she sports. This isn’t the hand of someone who just putters around with books all day. I like the feel of it too much.
I mean, my wolf does. I don’t. Couldn’t care less.
When I drop her grip, I wipe my hand on my jeans.
Juliet tracks the movement, but I refuse to regret the action.
My next question is as terse as the last. “Why are you here?”
Juliet stares at me, turns to look at Thad, whose mouth has gone tight, then tilts her head back toward me.
“I’m here because there was a job opening. At your library.” She speaks slowly, as if I might not understand. “I’m the new librarian.”
I glare, not appreciating her sass.
She glares back. “What?”
“You’ll leave.” Better sooner than later. “When you get a better job offer.” Our small-town library is just a stepping stone to bigger things. A chance to learn her trade before moving on.
Juliet gapes at me, her pert mouth hanging open.
Pretty pink tongue. Want to suck on it.
Fuck no. Stop that. I’m not sucking on her tongue.
She snaps her mouth shut, as if in agreement. “Do I smell?”
Perfectly.
I don’t utter the word, choosing to remain silent so I don’t accidentally say what my wolf is thinking.
“Seriously.” She spreads her arms wide, showing off a set of jeans that fit the curve of her hips like a second skin. “What is sowrong with me that in less than five minutes, you’re begging for me to leave?”
“I’m not begging,” I growl.
