Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Peppa had only laughed when she came in halfway through dinner service and found him in her office. Then she headed over to my side and murmured, “So freaking happy for you, Thora.”
I bumped her with my hip, set my knife on the stainless-steel counter, and stripped off my gloves to press my hand over my heart. “Leaving Castagna to follow you here was the best decision I’ve ever made. Thank you so much for making a place for me at Timber Treasures.”
“As if there was any doubt that I’d want you in my kitchen.” She flashed me a soft smile. “Fate works in mysterious ways, my friend.”
And wondrous ones, as proved by pairing me with Rome.
8
Thora
I enjoyed spending time with Rome’s wolf. It was so incredible that this huge beast was wrapped around my little finger. He bounded around my backyard, crouching over his front legs as he wagged his tail with a bark. His human side flashed in his eyes with a teasing glint, and then he barked. It was clear that he wanted to play.
Darting forward, I stroked my hand over his back before racing away from him. “Tag, you’re it.”
If this had been a true race, I wouldn’t have gotten more than a couple of steps away from him. But the wolf gave me a head start, and I made it all the way to the bottom step of my deck before he nipped at the hem of my shirt. “You got me!” I cried.
He barked in response and dashed toward the trees that lined the back of the yard. I thought I was in pretty good shape, but it didn’t take long before I was panting. He led me on a merry chase, closing the distance between the trees and me and darting away before I could touch him.
Bending over, I pressed my hands against my thighs and gasped, “No fair. You’re way too good at this. I can’t catch my breath.”
He trotted over to check on me—just like I knew he would. When he pressed his snout against the back of my knee, I reached down to rest my hand on his back. Then I shrieked, “Haha! Tag, you’re it again,” before pivoting to dart away.
His wolf let out a broken howl that sounded an awful lot like he was laughing, and I giggled as I ran. I didn’t get far, though. When I was halfway to the deck, a warm male body pressed against my back, and strong arms wrapped around my body to lift me off the ground. “I can’t believe you tricked me like that. I was worried about you.”
I wiggled in his hold until he set me back down so I could turn and twine my arms around his neck. “Sorry, babe. I don’t have many advantages against you. It was my only chance of winning.”
There was an approving gleam in his dark eyes. “My pretty baby hates to lose, huh?”
I freaking loved his nickname for me, but when he added “my” in front of it…holy crap. My panties were drenched. “I’m a much more gracious winner.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He brushed his mouth against mine before nipping at my bottom lip. “Luckily, we won’t be on opposite teams except when it’s just the two of us.”
He shook his head and smiled. “I can’t remember the last time my wolf played like that.”
I was glad I could give that back to him. My heart had ached for the boy he’d been when he’d left his childhood pack after his father died when he was only seventeen. I hated that he’d been on his own for a decade before he found Keane’s pack in the wilderness, but his experiences while he’d been a loner had shaped the amazing man he was today. And they’d been a big part of what had brought us together since he had helped Ramsey while she was recovering because they had that in common. If another member of his pack had been the one she’d befriended, we might never have met.
Shaking my head to clear that line of thought, I focused on the here and now. “I’m looking forward to doing it again soon.”
“My wolf won’t fall for the same trick twice,” he warned.
I quirked a brow. “Want to bet on it?”
“I guess it would depend on the stakes.” He laughed and shook his head. “Since you’d probably win.”
“It should be something good because there’s no probably about it.” I flashed him a confident grin. “I’d definitely win. Your wolf wouldn’t risk the chance that I might actually be hurt.”
“I’m glad you know that you’ll always be safe with him.”
His wolf was big and fierce enough to scare most shifters, but I knew he’d never hurt me. Neither would the man, no matter how much I pushed his buttons. “Because he’s a big sweetie.”