If I would’ve taken her that first day, she would’ve been in heat for three fucking weeks. I tried to stay clear of her and allow the full moon to get closer, but I can’t stay away. My wolf doesn’t want anyone else near her if I can’t have her, so we’ve been parking our asses outside her bakery day and night. Now I’m seeing she has interpreted my behavior as being assholish. This is all so fucked.
I run my hand over my face, trying to lessen the tension I feel building.
“Looks like we’ve both had a rough few weeks.”
I nod my head in agreement. “The toughest and best three weeks of my life.” I might be miserable at the moment, but it will be worth it. Soon I’ll have my mate, and she’ll be all mine, for the rest of our lives. As for tonight, it looks like I’ll be sleeping on the stairs. Again.
5
Ruby
I flip the lock on the door and turn the sign to ‘Closed’. It’s Friday night, and we’ve had a great day. There were a lot of people stopping by the bakery on the way out of town. Something must be in the air, because it feels like everyone is clearing out. Halloween is tomorrow night so maybe people have plans. There aren’t many places to stay that are close to the national park, so anyone visiting for the day would have to leave in the early evening in order to make it to the next town at a decent hour.
Gwen and I made lots of goodies all morning, and almost everything sold. I wanted to take Gwen up on her offer to go get a drink tonight, and I’m even more excited because it’s been a day to celebrate. There still weren’t any locals, but I’m trying not to dwell on it or let it get me down. Gwen keeps telling me to be patient.
I take one last look out the window before reaching up to pull the shade. I see Dominic talking to someone across the street. Almost as if he senses my stare, he turns, meeting my eyes. From this distance I can barely make him out, but suddenly I see his eyes brighten. It’s almost like they’re glowing. They’re doing that weird thing they did last night. I swear, the sunsets in this place cause people’s eyes to go funny.
The more I stare at him, the stronger the pull is to him. I don’t understand what is wrong with my body. All day it has felt as if my skin has been charged with electricity. I’m so sensitive and tingly all over. I kept rubbing my arms, feeling the hairs on them rise up like I was chilly, but I didn’t feel cold. I’m having the same feeling now. Something inside me wants to open the door and bolt into Dominic’s arms.
I shake off the idea and pull the shade fast, shielding me from his view. I turn around and smile at Gwen behind the counter. Maybe she knows what’s going on.
“Does it feel to you like everyone is getting out of town?”
She makes a non-committal humming sound and goes back to wiping down the counters.
“Seriously. It feels like something’s in the air. Didn’t you notice how all the tourists just bolted this afternoon? It’s almost like something is pushing them out.”
She looks up from the counter and shrugs her shoulders. “I think people are just trying to get out before the weekend. I’m planning on getting out of here first thing in the morning.”
“Really? Why? You didn’t say anything earlier.”
“Oh, no big reason. Just going to visit a friend in Bryson Peak. And it’s that time of the month.” She mumbles the last part under her breath and turns to head to the back.
God, her periods must be bad if she’s got to go stay with a friend when she gets it. Oh well, not my business.
I walk to the back with her and help clean up the kitchen. Once we’re finished, we close the register, lock up the back, and go upstairs to my apartment to get ready.
“God, I would love a place like this,” Gwen says when she walks in.
“I’m actually hoping I can get a new place soon. This just isn’t as isolated as I wanted. Hey, maybe if it works out you can rent it. You live with your brother, right?”
“Oh my God, that would be amazing! I would love to have a place of my own. The way he hovers over me is ridiculous.”
“Well, I’ll keep that in mind if I decide to move.” I go over to my closet and start flipping through clothes. I look over and see Gwen stripping down, clearly not shy about her body. I wouldn’t be either if I had her figure. Big perky boobs with a slim body; who would want to cover that up? Hell, I’d probably run around naked if I were her. “What did you bring to wear?”
“I wanted to go with something fun so I brought my leather pants and spiked heels. I’ve got two shirts, but I don’t know which one to wear.”
“I’ll probably just wear a dress,” I say, going through my rack of clothes. “I’m so short most pants are too long. Which one do you think?” I pull out two dresses, one navy and one dark purple.
“Oh, the navy would look great with your hair,” Gwen says, standing there naked and holding up two shirts. “Should I go with the crop top to show off my belly, or with the tank top to show off my tits?”
I can’t help giggling, thinking she’s really wanting to get wild tonight. I bet her brother doesn’t even know she’s going out. “Go with the stomach. If mine was flat I don’t think I’d ever wear a whole shirt again. I would just cut the bottoms off all of them.”
“Are you kidding me? I’d kill for your curves. Men love a woman they can hold on to. Meanwhile, I have zero ass and chicken legs.”