Читать книгу Captivated By The She-Wolf - Kristal Hollis - Страница 14

Chapter 6

Cold throbbed deep inside the marrow of Ronni’s bones but it wasn’t from the chill in the night air. The video conference with the two Woelfesenat councilmen presiding over the Southeastern Wahya packs had not gone entirely in her favor.

Because Jeb had no children of his own, and Alex was his only blood relative, the council had decided not to deny visitation rights.

After the meeting, Rafe assured her that he would be present for all visitations, if she wanted him to be. And Brice explained that Jeb could only meet with Alex within the Walker’s Run territory and visits had to be arranged through Gavin.

Ronni let out her breath, a puff of steamy fog forming as it left her lips.

Twenty years ago, Jeb had been a cruel, frightening man. He didn’t care for anyone or anything, except Zeke.

Jeb could have changed in the years he’d been gone, the years she’d thought him dead and buried, fattening the insects feasting on his rotten carcass.

Maybe now all Jeb wanted was assurance that his baby brother’s family was taken care of and safe.

Jeb was now the legitimate Alpha of the Pine Ridge pack. If he violated any law, including the Woelfesenat’s current ruling, not only would he face hostilities from all the Alphas who had a treaty with his pack, he’d also face the Woelfesenat’s wrath.

Jeb was a lot of things. Stupid wasn’t one of them.

“Willow!” Seated two rows below where Ronni sat, Lucas Grayson, Alex’s best friend, jumped up and waved.

A girl at the bottom of the bleachers looked up, her uncertain eyes widening a moment before a relieved smile lightened her anxious expression. She waved and carefully climbed the steps, her father trailing behind her.

There was no uncertainty in the look he gave Ronni. Sexy, confident, predatory.

Her skin prickled and she gritted her teeth, willing him to sit anywhere except next to her. She had enough to deal with without adding her hormones into the mix.

Alex and Ella, his girlfriend of the month, scooted over to allow Willow room to sit next to Lucas. Usually the quiet, awkward one among Alex’s expanding group of friends, Lucas beamed and chattered excitedly with Willow.

Young love. The wolflings in Walker’s Run had no idea how fortunate they were.

Bodie inched past the people sitting on the same row as Ronni. Her heart raced, even though she willed it to beat at its normal pace.

“Hi.” Though a smile hung on his face, the crinkles around his eyes seemed to be more from fatigue than excitement. “I was hoping to find a friendly face in the crowd.”

“Considering the number of women’s heads turning in your direction as you climbed the bleachers, I’d say there are at least a dozen to choose from.” In her current mood, Ronni was fairly sure even a blind man would sense that she wasn’t in a friendly state.

“Didn’t notice them,” Bodie said easily. “I was focused on you.”

“You might want to adjust your sights. I’ve had a bad day and won’t be good company tonight.” Ronni watched the players rushing onto the field.

“My sights are fine. Your company will be, too.” Bodie sat closer to her than necessary since there was plenty of space on their row. “By the way, you look lovely.”

“Thanks.” She wasn’t wearing anything fancy, just a pair of dark blue jeans and a buttercream sweater that complemented her peachy complexion and the red tones in her hair. “You should’ve brought a jacket.”

With sleeves rolled to his elbows, the blue button-down shirt he wore wouldn’t keep the chill out for long. Fall would likely come early, with temperatures beginning to dip into the low sixties at night.

Bodie’s gaze fell on the blanket covering her lap. “Maybe we can make a deal. You share, I share.” He dangled a large thermos and winked.

She was sure he meant it only as a tease, still her nerves tingled and her body warmed. “What’s in it?”

“Coffee, strong and black.” He set the thermos between their feet.

“Lucky for you it isn’t hot chocolate.” Ronni returned her gaze to the activity on the football field.

“Yeah?” Inching closer, he bumped her shoulder.

“I’m allergic to chocolate.” She refused to look at him or encourage his flirtatious behavior. “You would’ve lost your only bargaining chip.” She saw his arrogant male grin without even looking at him.

“Oh, I doubt that.”

Ronni did, too. Especially since his shirt molded around his shoulders, back and torso, teasing her with glimpses of his solid, sculpted, muscular chest.

Bodie gazed up at the clear, dark sky. “Beautiful night to be outside.”

Ronni agreed. Ordinarily on nights like this, she would run the woods behind her house, only entering the sanctuary on full moon nights to avoid prowling, unmated males. Since learning of Jeb’s reemergence, Ronni had stayed on her back porch swing. Every shadow that flickered beyond the porch light elicited an involuntary shiver and she hated that the mere thought of Jeb Lyles induced such unease.

Something brushed her thigh and Ronni jumped.

“Everything okay?” Bodie’s deep, soothing voice drew her attention. Warmth spread beneath his palm, flattened against her leg.

“Yes,” she said, swallowing the tightness in her throat.

Doubt lingered in his gaze, but he offered a reassuring smile. He opened the thermos and poured a steaming cup of coffee, then handed it to her. “This should help you shake that chill.”

If only it could.

“Mmm.” She inhaled the fresh, robust aroma before taking a drink. Her body warmed, but it had more to do with the heat Bodie radiated as he scooted close enough for their hips and legs to touch. She shouldn’t allow him the liberty, but strangely she found his closeness comforting.

“Is the home team any good?” he asked.

“I suppose. I don’t really follow football.”

“What do you follow?”

“My instincts.”

“Yeah?” Humor sparkled in his eyes. “What do your instincts say about me?”

She swallowed another mouthful of coffee. “That you’re trouble.”

“Me?” Bodie’s deep, rich laugh rolled through her body like the rumble of distant thunder. “I’m a boy scout.”

“I have serious doubts about that.”

“I like your smile.” His gaze turned molten like liquid gold. “You should wear it more often.”

She looked away. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

“Oh, no.” He playfully bumped her. “Don’t try to hide it from me now. I’ll consider it a challenge to find it again.”

Ronni doubted it would be much of one. She found his playfulness more charming than she should, considering the trouble she could soon be facing.

The crowd roared around them.

“First touchdown of the night for the home team.” Bodie playfully bumped her shoulder. “We’re off to a great start.”

“Don’t get cocky,” Ronni said. “The night is young.”

“And chilly.” Bodie unrolled his sleeves.

Ronni gulped the last of her coffee and handed him the empty cup so he could have a hot drink.

“Your blanket looks toasty. Do you mind?”

“Tit for tat, huh?”

“Something like that.” Smiling, he took the blanket from her lap and wrapped it around their shoulders.

The simple comfort of a warm male body caused her heart to ache. This was so not the time to explore the possibilities.

Dammit, Jeb.

He hadn’t shown up yet and already he was screwing up her life.

* * *

Laughter rose above the comfortable buzz of patrons inside Dino’s Pizzeria. Willow’s soft, lilting tone was among them. Bodie couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her so happy, carefree. Maybe never.

“They are good kids, right?” he said.

Ronni’s gaze landed on him, only the third time since they’d arrived. “Of course they are.” She gave him a questioning look.

“Willow has had a rough time with mean ones. I don’t want her getting hurt.”

“Alex and Lucas will look after her.”

“She seems to be having a good time.”

“Hmm.” The opening door pulled Ronni’s attention again.

“Are you having a good time?” During the football game, he’d sensed Ronni’s tension and assumed she was nervous because of his attention. Now he was sure it was something else.

“Yes.” She smiled, a perfectly pleasant plastic smile.

“What’s wrong?” Bodie decided to tackle the problem head-on.

“I told you earlier, I wouldn’t be good company.”

“Your company is fine, Ronni. But you jump every time the door opens. Who are you afraid of?”

The warmth drained from her eyes and her smile turned into a brittle frown. “It’s nothing.”

Bodie didn’t push. He wanted Ronni to confide in him but not at the risk of alienating her. He placed his hand over her fingers worrying the paper napkin beside her plate. “If you need someone to talk to...” He shrugged.

“Thanks, but—”

“Ah, don’t shoot me down. I’m hoping to strike a bargain.” He offered her a smile.

Her reddish-blonde brows arched.

“My wife died in childbirth, so it’s always been me and Willow, and my mom.” A dull ache rose in his chest. Though he hadn’t loved Layla, he had planned a future with her and sometimes he missed what could’ve been.

“My mother has helped me raise Willow, but some of her ideas are a bit old-fashioned. It would be nice to have someone to talk to.” Bodie looked over at Willow, her head bent toward Lucas as he showed her something on his phone. When his gaze returned to Ronni, her eyes had warmed and her expression softened.

Just the response he was aiming for.

“It’s hard being a single parent.” She blinked away the water in her eyes, then squeezed his fingers. “I lost my husband over a year ago.”

“Is this your first date since his death?”

Surprise registered in her expression. “This isn’t a date.”

“What is it?” Bodie leaned forward, arms resting on the table. He couldn’t stop the smile wavering on his lips as a myriad of emotions flickered across Ronni’s face.

“We’re chaperoning them,” she said, more confidently than the doubt that flashed in her eyes suggested.

“Maybe. Willow isn’t sixteen yet. And considering the rough time she’s had with fake friends, I intend to keep a close eye on her. But Alex—” Bodie glanced at the tall, blond young man with an easy smile and manner. There was a subtle prowess that suggested when he entered adulthood, he would be a force to be reckoned with—if he wasn’t already.

“Has been through a lot,” Ronni said defensively.

The fierce look in her eyes said she was in protective mama mode and would likely use those pretty white teeth to shred someone to pieces if she felt her son was threatened.

Unbidden affection rushed through Bodie. He could really use an ally as strong as Ronni. All he needed to do was earn her trust and the best way to do that was help her deal with whatever had her so worried. But she was too defensive tonight. He’d have to broach it another time.

“I was nineteen when I lost my father.” A bitter lump grew in Bodie’s throat. He sucked down his entire glass of water, trying to dilute it.

“Losing a parent at any age is difficult,” Ronni said quietly. “Did your mother remarry?”

“No.” Bodie knew to tread carefully, but he figured if he spoke to be flattering, the she-wolf would sense the insincerity. “I became her life and now that’s a huge complication for us.”

He averted his gaze to Willow. His mother wanted to shelter Willow, keep her safe, protected. Caged. More and more, Bodie simply wanted to see his daughter soar.

“She’s a lovely girl.”

“Thanks.” Willow would grow into quite a beauty, like her mother, but she needed a strong feminine role model who would help her discover her own inner strength and develop a stronger spirit than Layla had.

Rather than encourage Willow, his well-meaning mother was more likely to squelch her emerging independence.

“Do you want to get some fresh air in the park?” Bodie could use some.

Ronni’s furtive gaze shot to Alex and then to the door. “It’s getting late.”

“Tomorrow isn’t a school day.” Bodie stood. “We’ll be in full view of the restaurant. The kids will be fine.”

He could read the word no forming on her tightly pressed lips.

“Unless you’re afraid of being alone with me.” He held out his hand.

The she-wolf’s nostrils flared. Fire sparked in her eyes and pride straightened her shoulders.

Bingo!

He’d pushed the right buttons. His smile grew uncontrollably broader, until she clutched his hand. Electricity shot through his palm as if he’d grabbed an exposed wire juiced with a live current. The powerful charge scrambled his brain and his vision might’ve gone a little wonky because an overly satisfied gleam lit Ronni’s eyes.

She walked over to the kids’ table and spoke to them, then sashayed to the door without looking back. He gave Willow a nod. Her smile lit the dining room. Lucas inched closer to her, dropping his arm protectively across the back of her chair. Alex’s gaze was fixed on his mother. When she disappeared out the door, his laser-intense eyes swung to Bodie.

The warning was clear. This one would be hell to deal with if crossed.

Bodie turned to follow Ronni outside, willing steel in his legs. He wished the wobble was from something other than the she-wolf’s touch, but he’d only drank one beer and Alex’s attempt at intimidation had no real effect.

A light breeze nipped Bodie’s face as he stepped into the night. Ronni leaned inside her car and pulled out the blanket they’d used at the game. She wrapped it around her shoulders, closed the car door and walked to a nearby park bench. He sat close beside her. Closer than he normally would on a first date but he’d already seen her naked and his instinct pushed him to leave no space between them.

The moment their thighs touched, Bodie’s mind flooded with the awareness of her femininity and her vulnerability. All the while, her heat warmed him far deeper than the surface of his skin. If she hadn’t been the first to break eye contact, he could’ve easily drown in the sea of blue her gaze held.

Tilting her head back exposed the creamy expanse of her slender throat. “It is a beautiful night,” she said, echoing his earlier sentiment.

“Not compared to you.”

Something more than physical attraction awakened in him. Whatever it was, he needed to keep it in check. He couldn’t afford to lose his heart or his head when his family’s future hung in the balance.