Page 40 of Fake It ’Til You Mate It

“If that creature had thumbs, I’d think it would stab you, Max,” remarks Riordan with obvious interest.

I hurry the rest of the way toward the desk.

Gus shows his hind foot to Max, then swishes his tail. Yes, bud. I know opossums have opposable thumbs on their rear feet, plus a prehensile tail that’s perfectly capable of wrapping around a small knife. Given the right motivation, I think my sidekick would totally stab my mate.

I scratch his chin before scooping him up, cradling him against my sweater. “Remember, Gus, we’re guests here.”

Or prisoners. I’m not so clear on that part yet.

“You’re also in danger,” Max reminds me. “Moonshadow, this is Honey Morgan. And I hold each and every one of you responsible for making sure she’s not the third murder in Moonburrow.”

CHAPTER 12

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH

I like this wolf.

I don’t like that one.

— gus

After my introduction, Riordan brings me back to Max’s personal side of the cabin. Before, I thought he was doing his duty as the Beta. Now? It makes a lot more sense that he’s Max’s brother, even if I don’t quite understand why the older brother is content to take a backseat, letting his younger brother rule the pack.

He doesn’t seem surprised at all when I mention that Max said I would be using the spare bedroom in the Alpha cabin. He grabs the two bags that I left abandoned in the front room, showing me to a very pristine, slightly musty room that has probably never seen a guest. It’s clean, but clearly unused, and Riordan tells me to make myself at home. Once the pack meeting is over, Max will be right back to talk to me.

He’s right. I have enough time to unpack our few belongings, check out the bathroom attached to my room, and give Gus some of the cat kibble I keep on hand for a quick meal. My stomach is growling. I ignore it. It’s well past the time I usually have my dinner, and when I swear I smell food drifting in through the open door, I’m sure I’m imagining it.

I’m not.

“Killer? You dead?”

I snort to myself, a sliver of relief flashing through me when I recognize Max’s voice. In a cabin that radiates Max everywhere, drenched in his intoxicating scent, it’s hard for me to track him. He’s here now, though, and when me and Gus join him in the living room only to find that the source of the delicious food is coming from a stuffed bag in his hand, I can’t help myself.

“Oh, Max. I love you.”

His eyebrows shoot so high, they nearly disappear in his hairline.

I play back my words and nearly drop from embarrassment.

Waving my hands, I say, “No. Not like that. I just… Food. You have food.”

“I usually cook, but things have been… well, hectic is a nice way to put it. I didn’t think it was safe to order out when we have a poisoner in town, but I called my mother. She still likes to take care of her pups no matter how grown we are. I already gave Riordan his plate. If you don’t mind that I’m feeding you… or Vera Lobo is… I’d like to share a meal with you, Honey.”

How can I say no?

He’s not propositioning me. Unlike me, Max has totally been able to forget our kiss. He’s just doing his duty. He’s the sheriff… he’s the Alpha. He’s looking out for me, and part of that is making sure that I don’t starve on his watch.

True, it’s hard to convince myself of that when he doles out perfectly seared steak, buttery mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, and fresh-baked rolls onto a plate for each of us. He has a cozy four-seater table in his kitchen. Max takes one seat. From the position where he places my plate, he wants me sitting opposite him.

Gus—unwilling to be left out again—plops himself in the middle of the table, glancing between Max and me.

However, as soon as he starts asking me questions in between eating his meal, I start to get suspicious. Talking about the bakery is one thing, asking me about Virginia and Roxy is another, but then he turns the topic to the prey circle meeting I attended and warning bells start to go off in my head.

I take a bite of my delicious steak, chew, then poise my fork over my potatoes. “Is this an interrogation, sheriff?”

“Maybe I just want to get to know my new houseguest better.”

“You can tell me. Afraid you invited a serial killer under your roof?”