Page 20 of Wolf Promise

Regie waved her hand in the air. “The idea is that if a person accepts themselves as enough—or is working toward accepting themselves fully—they would choose fitness and wellness to feel better for themselves. Not to change for someone else. Or, on a deeper level, because they are already living an amazing and fulfilling life, they want the energy and longevity that wellness gives them to enjoy that life more—and maybe for longer."

"Okay, but isn't it a little hypocritical of you to preach about accepting yourself when you look like you do?"

Regie tilted her head. "I don't follow. What about my looks?" She knew men found her attractive. She worked hard to be physically fit and knew she had pleasing features. But she’d never be considered classically beautiful. Her grandfather had explained that to her several times.

Bolt gestured toward her, vaguely waving his hands in the surrounding air. "You must know that you are considered pretty, beautiful."

She gazed at him for a moment. "You think I'm beautiful?" Warmth expanded in her chest.

"Most people would." He cleared his throat.

Regie smiled. "Unless those people preferred someone taller, or shorter, or skinnier, or curvier, or with darker hair, or a different nose, or a?—"

"Okay, okay. I get your point." He held up his hands. “Time for a completely different topic. There's something we need to do before we have a public appearance."

"What's that?"

"We need to practice touching each other." He cleared his throat again.

Regie stood shock-still but blinked a few times. "Could you repeat that?"

"If people are going to believe that we are actually engaged, we need to touch each other in public. People in love show public displays of affection. We need to practice PDAs."

She swallowed. "Really? We need to practice?" Her voice squeaked on the last word.

"Yes. In order to appear like a real couple, we need to look like we are comfortable with physical intimacy." He took a step toward her and reached up to touch her face.

Regie quickly leaned back, out of reach. "We're starting now?"

"Yes, and the way you just reacted is why we need to practice. You didn’t exactly flinch, but almost. I obviously started with too much, too fast.”

Sure, sure. She flinched because he did too much, too fast. Not because her hormones started yelling as soon as he got close, and she could feel all that delicious warmth that had enveloped her earlier. “Yeah, let’s go slower.” Crap, that wouldn’t help with the hormones, but now she’d said it and couldn’t take it back.

"First of all, you need to know that I would never hurt you. And if you are ever uncomfortable with anything I do, tell me. I will stop immediately."

The man had just stepped between her and a threat, so she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. "Okay. I think I instinctively knew that already, but thank you for saying so."

He swallowed. "Let's start with something easier." Bolt wiped a hand on his pants before taking her slender fingers in his.

Sparks zapped his skin where it touched hers.

He dropped her hand.

"Static again?"Somehow, knowing he also noticed the weird sizzle between them comforted her, but it still felt weird. And too much like the strange tendrils of power she knew hid inside her.

He nodded. "Must be. How about we eat instead and practice later?”

Regie nodded vigorously. “Yes, that’s a great idea.” She stepped into the kitchen and started opening the food containers. “Mexican is one of my favorites.”

Bolt’s phone rang, and he answered with an apologetic look her way. His face hardened as he listened to the person on the other end. “Where?” The caller said a few words. “I’ll be there,” Bolt said before hanging up. He faced Regie. “I have to go. There’s been a break on another case, and I’m needed to help out with…logistics.” The worried look on his face told her something serious had happened.

“Is everyone okay?” Regie asked.

Bolt hesitated. “We don’t know yet.” He walked toward the door. “Nora is on her way over to watch over you tonight.”

Regie wanted to say she didn’t need anyone to keep her company, but he’d already left the apartment. The door clicked shut behind him, and she felt strangely alone without him.

CHAPTER 10

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