Page 12 of Wedding for My Werewolf (Fairhaven Falls #7)

CHAPTER 12

R obin inhaled the rich aroma of coffee wafting through Eric’s cabin as she padded quietly across the wooden floor, each board now familiar after a week of morning routine. Sunlight streamed through the windows, catching the steam rising from two mugs on the counter. He was staring out the window, broad shoulders silhouetted against the light and, as always, the sight of him made her breath catch.

“Good morning,” she said softly.

He didn’t jump when she spoke but she’d quickly realized that he always seemed to know where she was. He turned and smiled at her before adding the perfect amount of cream to her mug. Their fingers touched as he passed it over, the brief contact sending electricity dancing across her skin. She pulled back too quickly, nearly spilling her coffee, and he reached out to steady her. Another spark.

She tightened her grip on the mug, fighting the impulse to lean into his warmth. This was getting dangerous. She was falling for him, breaking her own cardinal rule of keeping everyone at arm’s length. Each shared breakfast, each casual touch, each soft look chipped away at her defenses.

To her disappointment they hadn’t repeated the incident on the kitchen table. After two days—and nights—of him being a perfect gentleman other than those heated goodbye kisses, she’d finally gathered up the courage to ask him if he’d regretted what happened.

“Regret?” Those golden eyes glowed as he studied her over a glass of whiskey. “Absolutely not. Watching you come apart in my arms was the most delightful thing I’ve ever seen. Under any other circumstances, I’d have carried you into the bedroom and done it again. And again.”

Her mouth went dry and she leaned towards him, but he only took her hands in his and shook his head.

“But I won’t take advantage of the situation, little bird.”

She’d tried to convince him that he wasn’t taking advantage, but he was adamant. She would have suspected that he was telling her a polite lie if it weren’t for the unmistakable evidence of his desire each time they kissed. And in spite of his restraint, her heart still skipped a beat whenever their eyes met.

The memory of him watching her, golden eyes intent on her pleasure, sent a rush of heat between her legs.

“You’re flushed,” he said, studying her with a look that made her shiver.

“It’s just the coffee.”

“Of course.” He took a slow sip of his own drink, his tongue flicking across his lip, and her knees threatened to give out.

“I should get ready for work,” she mumbled, hurrying into the bedroom and shutting the door behind her.

The problem wasn’t that he didn’t want her. He clearly did. But was something other than his sense of honor holding him back? Was it because she was human? Or was it the secrecy surrounding her past?

Her fingers curled into her palm, the old familiar guilt gnawing at her. I should tell him. But what if he didn’t believe her?

No, this was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Nothing more.

So why did her chest ache at the thought of it ending?

She was still worrying at the problem later that afternoon as she dragged the duster mechanically across the ornate mantelpiece in Garrick’s sitting room. The week had passed with no sign of Rick, but experience had taught her that meant nothing. He’d vanished for three weeks in Sacramento once before showing up at her workplace. But what if he’d really gone? What if she didn’t need to continue the charade of being Eric’s mate?

The thought made her heart ache. He still needs me to protect him against Lila , she thought defiantly. There was no reason to suggest ending their arrangement yet.

Something scratched against the window and she spun around, heart hammering, only to find it was nothing but the breeze brushing strands of ivy against the window. Her fingers trembled on the duster handle as she tried to calm her racing pulse. Damn. Apparently part of her was still convinced that Rick was on her trail.

“Something troubling you?” Garrick’s gravelly voice made her jump again before she spun back around. He stood in the doorway, stone features unreadable.

“Just startled myself.” She forced a laugh, but it sounded hollow even to her. “These old houses make all sorts of noises.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’ve been jumpy all week.”

She turned back to the mantel, avoiding his gaze. He was right. Eric’s cabin felt safe, like a fortress in the woods, but every time she left his protective presence, she was braced for something bad to happen. The mansion wasn’t quite the same, but it helped. She felt protected here. Hidden. But how long could she stay hidden?

She set the duster down on a side table and started untying her apron.

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to leave a little early. I need to run some errands in town.”

The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

“Now?” Garrick’s stone eyebrows rose.

“Yes.” She needed to prove to herself that she could do this, that she wasn’t going to let fear rule her life forever. “I’ve been avoiding it long enough.”

She grabbed her coat from the hook by the door, ignoring the way her hands shook as she buttoned it. Maybe Rick really had given up and moved on.

But what if he hadn’t? If Rick found her, would Eric still look at her the same way? Would he believe her if she told him the truth?

No . She wasn’t going to let what-ifs rule her life.

She kept a wary eye out as she walked over to Main Street, but she didn’t see anyone following her. She stopped to buy some fresh fruit for Garrick to make up for her abrupt departure, then bought cupcakes for her and Eric from the rather forbidding orc at Java Joy. The sign over the cupcakes had originally said Chocolate Almond, but someone had scratched it out and put Almond Joy instead.

“That’s a much better name,” she told him when she paid, and he sighed.

“That’s what I said,” a cute blonde woman agreed, joining the big orc behind the counter.

“It’s not necessary,” he grumbled as he put a possessive arm around the blonde, and she grinned up at him, poking a playful finger at his chest.

“But it’s fun, Grondar. Don’t you like fun?”

“I have better ideas for having fun,” he said, pulling her closer.

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise, sugar.” He started to lower his head towards the woman, then sighed again. “You’re distracting me.”

Their banter warmed her, even though it was hard not to feel a stab of envy. She started to turn away, but the woman stopped her.

“Wait a minute. You’re Robin, aren’t you?”

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Y-yes.”

“I’m Elara. Nichola said you were going to join us for a girls’ night.”

“I don’t think I actually agreed to that,” she said cautiously, but her racing heart slowed.

Elara laughed.

“Nichola only hears what she wants to hear. But I hope you will. We have a lot of fun,” she added, giving the orc another teasing look.

“So much fun I had to come and carry you home last time,” he grumbled. “I’d better warn the sheriff.”

Heat filled her cheeks as she tried to come up with a response, but Elara only grinned at her.

“Tell Eric we won’t let anything happen to you. Well, Nichola won’t. I was having a hard time walking last time—hence the need for Grondar to carry me home and have his wicked way with me.”

She watched in fascination as the tips of Grondar’s ears darkened, and then he was escorting her politely but firmly towards the door.

“Shop’s closing. If you want anything else, come back in half an hour. No, better make that an hour.”

She heard the door lock behind her, followed by a happy squeal from Elara. She smiled, but her amusement faded as she continued down the street. Elara knew who she was, and Grondar must have known as well since he’d mentioned Eric. Did everyone in town know? Why hadn’t she thought about changing her name?

Because I’ve never lived in a small town before. She was used to the anonymity of the city.

Then again, if everyone did know who she was and Rick still hadn’t tracked her down, maybe he had left after all. Maybe she could even take the chance of going out with the other women. She’d never really had the time for friends, male or female, but maybe here, in this friendly little town, she could finally enjoy some of the things she’d missed.