Page 8 of Wolves Always Bite

“Soa thousand would be good?”

“Idon’t…”Hisgaze darted over the mundane crap strewn over the table as if tallying how much all that cost so he could determine what would be reasonable for the boxes. “Yeah.Athousand should work, butIthink you might be paying too much.Ifyou wait a bit,I’msure my boss will be back soon.She’llknow more about what you’re buying.”

“Nah.I’mhappy with paying.Idon’t have time to stay.Istopped in on a whim to see ifIcould find anything interesting.”

Icounted out the money and handed it toJeremy.Afaint tingling sensation rushed over my hand when my fingers grazed his palm.Italmost felt like magic.Thatwas weird, butIdidn’t have time to think about it too much.Wehad to leave beforeBabettereturned.Theguy’s eyes were wide as he accepted the wad of cash.

Stepone:Securethe magical artifacts.Done.

NowIjust had to figure out what to do with the cutie.

“Canyou help me carry the boxes back to my truck?”

Jeremywas still staring at the money.

“Jeremy?”

“Right.”Heblinked at me, seeming to remember what he was doing. “I’llput this away first.Holdon a minute.”

Jeremyhummed an oldDireStraitssong, “MoneyforNothing”, as he opened the van door and pulled out a small metal cash box.Ashe did that,Icircled the vehicle, puncturing the tires with my claws asImoved.Thatshould slowBabette’spursuit.Thankfully,Jeremydidn’t notice air hissing from the tires as he continued to hum happily.Heshoved the money away and tucked the box back under the seat.Whenwe returned to the table,Jeremygrabbed his backpack and dug around in it for a minute.

Thehairs on the back of my neck itched.Wewere running out of time.Icould feel it.Iscanned the area for any sign ofBabette.Stillnothing.MyteammateIsaacwas a few stalls over, soIguessedGagehadn’t come.Ishould have expected that.

IcaughtIsaac’seye, and he subtly shook his blond head, letting me know he hadn’t spotted any problems yet.Theproblem withIsaac, though, was that with his long messy blond hair, pale blue eyes, and tanned skin, he appeared to be the quintessential surfer dude, so he always drew attention.Acluster of teenage girls were already closing in around him like sharks in the water.Withhis eager audience surrounding him, he might not be able to react as quickly asI’dneed if something went sideways.

“Justleaving a note for my boss.”Jeremysmiled widely as he scribbled a message on a piece of paper torn from a notebook.Hewas so pleased,Ifelt like an ass for deceiving him.Hefolded the note and left it on the seat of the lawn chair he’d been sitting in whenIhad first arrived. “Don’twant her to thinkI’verun off.”

“No.Ofcourse not.”Iforced a laugh.Myskin felt tight.Italways did when trouble was nearby.

Jeremy’sfoot kicked the book he’d been reading as he shoved the pen into his backpack.Icaught sight of the cover.Aman held a magical orb while a dragon flew around in the background.Interesting.Jeremymight be more open to the idea of magic than most humans.Atleast the idea wouldn’t be completely foreign to him.

“Whydon’t you bring your bag with you?I’dfeel bad if anyone stole it while you’re helping me with these boxes.”

“Yeah.Goodidea.”Heshoved his book inside before pulling the straps over his shoulders. “Thereisn’t much in there but library books, butI’dhate for someone to grab it thinking they were getting something more.And,God,Iwouldn’t want to have to explain to the librarian that my books got stolen.Imean, would they believe me or is that like saying a dog ate your homework?”

Jeremybent over and pulled the other box from under the table.Thebackpack hung low on his back, but not low enough to hide the way his tight jeans stretched over his ass.Icouldn’t drag my eyes away.Theimpulse to lean over and bite the rounded flesh surged through me.

Fangsand claws, where had that idea come from?

Icleared my throat as heat blossomed over my face.Unfortunately, embarrassment didn’t quell my arousal.Igrabbed the first box and held it in front of my hips.Ihadn’t had to do something like that sinceIwas a teenager. “Isthat one heavy?Canyou manage?”

“I’mgood.”Jeremy’seyes were bright and sparkly when he peered at me over the box.Itwas like he knewIhad been checking out his ass. “Whereare we going?”

“Thatway.”Itilted my chin toward the visitors’ parking area to the left.Iadjusted theJahallerin my box so the guy could look out over the cardboard flaps, asItried to adjust my thoughts too.Ihad to keep my head in the game.Goblinswere nasty and unpredictable.

Ineeded to stay focused.

Andnot onJeremy’sass.

Butthat wasn’t working so well, because the only thing worse than watchingJeremylean down to get the box was following him to the parking lot and watching his ass flex and move as he walked.Thenarrow width of his hips would be just about the perfect size to get a good grip.Andhis thinT-shirt did nothing to hide the ripple of lean muscles along his shoulders and back as he moved.Mymouth watered.Ihad never reacted like this to anyone.Notever.Whatwas wrong with me?

Wasthere a love talisman in one of the boxes?

“Straightahead,”Isaid. “Thered pickup over there, that’s mine.”

“Nice.”Jeremyglanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Cherryred.”

Magic, preserve me.Howcould he makecherrysound so filthy?