Page 14 of Howl Will I Know

“Hello to you too.”

“I said don’t come over. And you came over.”

I hold out the cup. “Coffee?”

“No.”

“You haven’t even checked whether it’s poisoned.”

“I’d smell it.”

“Right. Wolf.” I pause. “So poisoning you would require actual effort.”

His eyes narrow. I suspect most people would take that as their cue to back off. Unfortunately for Hewit, I’m having far too much fun getting a reaction out of him.

“Take it.”

“Don’t want it.”

I look at him, then at the cup. “Everyone likes coffee.”

His expression barely changes, but I’m beginning to think that’s practically an emotional outburst for Hewit. “Not yours.”

“You haven’t tried mine.”

“Don’t need to.”

“That seems unnecessarily hostile toward a beverage.”

“Nora.”

I’m sure it’s meant to be a warning, but the way he says my name sends a delicious little shiver through me.

I smile before I can stop myself. His gaze fixes on my mouth for a second, and his jaw tightens.

Interesting.

“Fine.” I set the coffee on the porch rail. “You don’t have to drink it.”

“I won’t.”

“Excellent. Glad we resolved that.”

His eyes move to the bag I place beside it. “No.”

“It’s a Sin Bun.”

His nostrils flare. “That’s cheating.”

I laugh. “And here I thought you were impossible to tempt.”

He looks annoyed, but he doesn’t shut the door, which feels like a victory.

“So,” I say, leaning one shoulder against the porch post, “how long have you lived here?”

His expression closes immediately.

I straighten. “Never mind.”