Page 43 of Wolf It Down, Knot Me Up

She breaks into a giggle, which I adore and decide in that moment that I need to hear more of.

“Thanks for the last-minute rescue in being my driver.”

“Trust me, driving you beats swinging an axe any day.” I take the turn out onto the wooded road, pines crowding tall on both sides. “Roman and Wolf get to haul my load today while I sit in a warm truck next to the prettiest thing on this mountain. I’m not losing sleep over it.”

She side-eyes me. “And you’re my protector today, I hear.”

“Damn right I am. Ethan’s orders. And Wolf’s. And Roman’s.” I cut her a grin. “I swear the pair of them were five minutes away from drawing me a map with little danger symbols on it.”

That gets a laugh out of her as we roll down the empty road, sunlight flashing through the pines, the truck humming comfortably between us.

“So.” I tap the steering wheel. “Last night.”

She groans. “Can we not?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Fine. It was… eventful.” She’s studying me.

I laugh loudly, throwing my head back. “I watched two grown men trying very hard not to drag each other into the trees over you. I reckon we’ve sailed clean past eventful.”

“You are enjoying this far too much, but I suspect you might have been participating with them too.”

“Not going to deny that.”

She shakes her head, laughing despite herself. “Though,” she says, “that burger you made was outrageous. Zero complaints about the burger.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.” I nod solemnly. “Dinner’s locked in.”

“That is absolutely not what I said.”

“No, but you complimented the chef.” I shrug. “That’s legally binding.”

She laughs again, and Christ… I think I’d happily spend the rest of my life trying to be the reason she keeps making that sound.

“Anyway, you were saying… Dinner was locked in how?” she asks.

“Told Ethan I’m cooking tonight for all of us, him included.” I shrug. “He’s got new guests to feed, so while he handles them, I get a free run at showing you what I can actually do in a kitchen.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I had a chef on my hands.” Her head tips, mischief dancing in her eyes. “A skill you picked up when you were inside?” Then she winces. “Okay… that was probably a low blow. Sorry.”

“Little bird.” I let the grin come slowly. “Nothing that comes out of that mouth is going to wound me.” I shrug. “What might sting is a flat no, a flat rejection.” I glance at her. “That one I’d actually feel.”

She studies me again for a long moment, and I let her. Hell, I’ll take every second of her attention she wants to give me. “You’re all so certain of yourselves,” she says eventually. “All three of you, as though this thing between us is already decided and I’m the only one who hasn’t caught up.”

“That’s because we already have.” I keep my voice easy, but I don’t soften the truth. “You’re our scent match, and the only person still trying to negotiate with reality is you.” A smile tugs at my mouth. “You’re welcome to take your time. We’re not going anywhere.”

She goes quiet long enough that I glance back from the road.

“What?” I ask.

She turns her hands over in her lap, the movement tugging her dress just enough to make my eyes betray me for half a second before I drag them back to the road. “Nothing. Just… the same thing I told Wolf last night.” She sighs. “This is all happening so fast. And honestly, it throws me how ready you three are.”

I tap the steering wheel once. “You think we’re just three guys chasing a good time?” The words stay light, but there’s enough edge beneath them. “You’ve barely scratched the surface of who we are, little bird.”

“Ha. Trust me, I’m getting plenty lately.”

“Are you?” I grin, cutting her a sideways glance. “Because from where I’m sitting, I reckon we’ve all been showing remarkable restraint.”