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But when she flicks her long bangs out of her eyes, those glass green irises catch the light and they annihilate me all over again.
I’m dead. If I don’t get her out of my sight A-sap, my wolf will destroy me.
The pedestrian signal is showing red. “You know how to cross the street, right?” I say.
She rolls her eyes. “I haven’t spent all my life in the stone age, you know. My pack often goes to human markets to sell our goods. Used to have my own stall, actually.”
I can’t resist a smile. She’s got spirit. A fierce little flame in her chest that burns amid all her suffering.
I long to ask what kind of stall she had, but I don’t.
No more learning about her. No more wondering, stoking my interest. This ends right here.
“The bar’s just down here,” I say, gesturing to an alleyway. I came across it a couple of days ago while I was roaming around the town. I’m not antisocial by nature; I do like company sometimes.
Truth is, I yearn to share my life with another—
I cut that thought right off.
That way madness lies.
When you travel a lot, you get an instinct for the kinds of places that might welcome a lone wolf—or be a safe haven for a little she-wolf.
From the outside, Sinner’s Refuge looks kinda dilapidated—old red-brick walls, running to two stories. Battered old balcony rail on the upper level, a barred window and a dark-red front door at street level. Peeling paint, rust. Seen better days, but the kind of place that could feel like home—at least, I sure hope so.
I push open the front door and let Savannah through. She moves stiffly, and I see the tension in her shoulders, the bravery in the set of her jaw. I want to snatch her up in my arms, bring her right back to Bertha, and never let her go.
But I can’t. Can’t fall apart like that again.
Instead, I drag my eyes away from the flash of cleavage showing at the top of her—my—shirt. The full curve of her ass as she passes in front of me. Pretend my cock doesn’t swell every time my gaze alights on her sweet body. She might be short, but she’s all woman. Enough to get any werewolf’s mouth watering…
And right on cue, my wolf breaks out a snarl, ready to defend her from any other suitors.
Inside, the bar is wood paneled, cozy red benches around the edges of the room, battered tables and chairs in the center.
It’s still early and the only occupants are a skinny chick perched on a bar stool in the corner, and the bar owner, who’s behind the bar, arms folded on the counter. Just like yesterday, she fixes me with a suspicious look, like she’s considering throwing me out on my ass. Who was it who said they’d never join a club that would have them as a member?
Some smart ass, but I can’t fault the sentiment.
Yesterday, I made the mistake of showing a photo around. I’m on the trail of a fugitive, but turns out doing that kind of thing around here is verboten. Very fucking verboten, and likely to get the shit kicked out of you. Not many people could kick my ass, but I wouldn’t put it past this tough old bear shifter to try.
She straightens herself up to her full height, which is good six inches shorter than me, frizzy brown hair sticking out around her head. Her eyes blaze with sternness. “Thought I told you—” she begins.
I raise my hands. “Not staying. Just brought someone with me.” I lay a hand on Savannah’s back. The warmth of her skin floods to my fingertips and I pull away sharply. Sheesh, this is some unearthlydamned attraction. The sooner I get away, the better.
“This is Savannah. She’s new in town and she’s looking for work. Maybe a bed and board kind of arrangement. She’s real reliable. Strong. Hard-working.” I’m just guessing at these parts, but I get the sense Savannah is all those things and more.
When the bear shifter turns her golden eyes on Savannah, they stop blazing so hard, and she looks almost kind.
“You got any experience at bar work, hun?”
Savannah nods eagerly. “I’m a quick learner, too.”
The woman taps a finger against her lips, looks thoughtful. “Don’t think I’ve got any spare beds right now. We’re all full up.”
“Oh, I can sleep on the floor, anything,” Savannah says fast.
She shrugs. “If you don’t mind roughing it, I guess there’s plenty of floor space.”
