Page 14 of Cursed Wolf

Tryn took his first sip, and like a damn pervert, I watched his throat bob as he swallowed.

“Damn. That is good.” He took one more drink before setting it down. “Gonna have to get some of that back home.”

“Where are you from?” So much for no more talking.

“A little mountain community kind of like this one. It’s pretty far away, though. What about you? Are you local?”

I had to rush past the fact that this man was actually asking about me like he was really interested so as to not sound like an idiot when I answered. “Oh, I don’t think I count as a local yet. I moved here about a year ago for work. I’m from the Bay Area originally.”

“Oh yeah? Big city girl, huh?” Tryn smiled at me over the rim of his drink.

“Not really.” I chuckled. “I love it up here, actually. I love that it’s quiet, scenic, and all the wilderness you could want right on your doorstep.”

“Agreed on all fronts. It’s a nice town. Never been much of a city guy myself.” Tryn was facing me, turned sideways in his barstool. Despite his size, it didn’t at all feel like he was encroaching on my personal space. If anything, he seemed to be hanging back to give me even more space.

“What do you do for work out here?” he asked.

Somebody pinch me because he’s still asking questions. “I’m a vet. Well, a vet intern. I’m actually meeting my boss here. He runs the animal clinic in town.” I checked my watch. Dr. Stone must have been running late.

“Oh, well don’t let me keep you.”

“No, you’re fine. He’s not here yet.” I had gone from mortified and awkward to Miss Social Butterfly, apparently. Hopefully Dr. Stone would continue to take his sweet time so I could talk to Tryn some more. “What do you do for work?”

“I’m a…” Tryn stroked his jaw again, his gaze flicking over the bartop in a way that almost seemed nervous. “It’s a bit hard to explain but can be summed up to personal security. I’m with a team of bodyguards for someone important.”

“Really?” I found myself leaning toward him, fascinated. “Like a celebrity?”

“Mm, of sorts, but not exactly. For privacy reasons, I can’t give out too many details.”

“No, of course. I understand. How interesting, though. Is that job dangerous?” I wanted to play it cool and not fawn over this man, but couldn’t seem to help myself.

“Yes,” he said without hesitation, his face the most serious I’d seen since he walked in. “This, ah, person has enemies. As does everyone associated with them. My team and I are a very close-knit group, though. We’re like a family.” He smiled again. “A pack, if you will.”

“I understand you can’t talk about it, but wow. The more you say, the more curious I get.”

Tryn took a contemplative sip of his beer. “Well, it’s possible I can tell you more.”

“What do I have to do?” Oh God, was that flirting? Who the hell was I? “Will you swear me to secrecy? Because I’ll do it.”

“No, nothing like that.” Tryn’s smile was almost bashful now and it was so endearing to see on such a huge, tough-looking man. “Just, you know. Spending time like this, getting to know each other.” His eyes met mine. “Learning to trust each other.”

Before I could respond or even process what he’d said, the front door swung open, bringing a draft inside.

“Sorry I’m late, Emmaline. Hope you weren’t waiting long.”

Dr. Stone came up and grabbed a barstool on the opposite side of me. He was in his sixties or so, with a shaved head, glasses, and a gray mustache. My boss was also one of those older white guys with a piercing through one earlobe, and I still wasn’t sure what to make of that.

“Oh no, not at all.” I tried not to sound too disappointed as I shot Tryn an apologetic smile. “It was nice meeting you, Tryn.”

“You as well, Emmaline.”

With a small smile, he turned to face the bar and I looked down the opposite way toward Dr. Stone, who ended up picking the very last seat at the end.

“Come this way, Emmaline, so we have some privacy.”

I slid off of my stool reluctantly, moving away from the hot biker who might have been flirting with me. “Do you want to grab a table?”

“No, this is fine. Excuse me, sir?” He leaned over the bar and waved at Joey. “Can I get a martini, please? And put her drinks on my tab.” Dr. Stone eyed my half-finished half-glass of beer. “Are you going to have another?”

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