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“I got so lucky that such a stunning woman agreed to marry me. I can’t agree with you more.”
I swatted Ridge’s chest. “Stop, Ridge.” I didn’t have to act embarrassed because I was burning with embarrassment.
The couple and the priest smiled at me.
“Have you two set a wedding date yet?” The priest was eager, and I sensed he wanted to be the one to preside over the nonexistent wedding.
The deception sent an arrow of guilt into my heart. These were friendly people, good people, and they were making an effort to make sure I was welcomed and included in their community. I hadn’t experienced anything like that in more years than I cared to think about, and it soured the lies we were telling even more. I was ashamed, and it made me ill to think about what we were doing. I hated knowing that at the moment, this was the best course of action.
Once again, Ridge must have read my mind because he comforted me with his body and soft kisses against my hair.
“No, Father, we’re still deciding. We want to enjoy this part of our relationship for a while. Especially since we’re finally a couple publicly here, but as soon as we set a date, we’ll make sure to get back to you.”
The priest beamed. “I understand. This is such a joyous time for you. I wish you all the best, and if you need to talk or do any relationship counseling, my door is always open. It’s best to start a marriage on the right foot and ensure your goals and dreams are aligned.”
His kind smile and calm voice nudged something inside me. If Ridge and I really were engaged, I liked to think I would have taken the priest up on that offer. He had a point, and it would be wise to understand your partner and where they wanted to go in life. Because if you wanted different things, what was the point of getting married?
The priest and young couple left, only for us to see another small family walk up with their goodies and well wishes. They had two adorable little girls with curly blond hair, each holding a tray of sugar cookies they’d decorated. My heart melted to see how excited they were. One asked to be a flower girl, while the other shushed her for being rude.
Several more people arrived after that.
Finally, we got a break in the slew of people, and I couldn’t shut the door fast enough. I prayed that was the last of the well-wishers.
Leaning against the large front door, I groaned. “Do you think that’s the last of them?”
Ridge let loose another one of his easy-going laughs. “You’ve really never lived in a small town before.” He shook his head. “Blackwood Creek is fairly small in population, and it’s a tight-knit community. There are still dozens of families and individuals who’ll want to meet you and ask you a billion-and-one questions about how we met and our future nuptials.”
I groaned louder and slid down lower against the door. What the hell had I signed up for? I should have run. It would have been so much easier than this.
“You’ll have to face all that tenfold—and alone, I might add, if you stay at the B&B.” He raised one shoulder in a shrug. “But if you stayed here with me, you’d get a little more privacy and all the space your little heart could desire.” He stepped toward me and poked my chest. “I gave you space before, and I’ll do it again.”
With my head resting against the door, I eyed him. After this little display, he had a point. I’d have no time to myself if I stayed at the Bogfords, but I hated to leave them. Although I’d only been at the B&B a short time, I loved interacting with Margo and Diana every day. But if this was any indication of what was to come, I’d go insane.
CouldI stay here, though?
I perused the sexy specimen of a man in front of me, hating how much my wolf craved him and how my core tingled and clenched for him. It’d be more complicated with him in my presence every day. Smelling him all the time would make it even harder for me to maintain control over my wolf and keep her caged.
What else could I do, though?
“I want space. A lot of space. This place is big enough. Do I get a wing? Because, Ridge, don’t get me wrong, that first night with you was great…” So, I was lying a little. It wasn’t great, it was fucking phenomenal, and I’d replayed it in my head a thousand times, but we couldn’t go there ever again. “But I don’t want to break any more of your showers, and I don’t want anything to do with you outside of helping to solve the murder and teaching you more about the hunters. We’re roommates, and that’s it. Nothing more than that. Until the murder is solved and I can save up enough money, I’m gone. And you’ll let me leave.”
I looked at him straight in the eye. He tried to cover up his frown, but he wasn’t fast enough. I wanted him to look at me and know that I was serious. That I wouldn’t—couldn’t—stay. He had to accept my terms.
Deep down, I was freaked out about how much my wolf revered this dangerously beautiful creature. I didn’t want to get attached to anyone here, let alone him. I had to leave before too long, or I’d draw the hunters to this region. Then I would be responsible for people getting hurt.
Hating shifters was in my DNA, but Margo and Diana’s faces played out in my mind, as did Ridge’s. Then the people like the Magpies, Lola, and other sweet people like the couples who had just visited us. I didn’t want to endanger any of them.
My wolf howled at the idea of Ridge getting hurt, and I burned at the thought of these people who had been kind to me being harmed because of me. This strengthened my resolve to leave and never look back. It was all I could offer them.
Ridge put his hands into his pockets and nodded slowly.
“I promise to respect any space you want.” He waggled his eyebrows at me. “I’ll keep to that promise even if you don’t want any space between us.”
Irritation strengthened my resolve. I’d be leaving sooner rather than later, it seemed.
I rolled my eyes at him. “I’ll stay in the manor for now, but only to avoid all the people in this town who desperately need to get hobbies, because seriously, it’s ridiculous.”
Ridge chuckled. “Come on, I’ll take you to get your things.”
