Page 3 of Wolf Forgotten

The stubble on the man's jaw and chin gave off adon’t fuck with mevibe that put me slightly on edge but was also calling for me to investigate his allure. Not to mention the tattoos that peeked out of his dark-colored long-sleeved Henley and fanned across the top of his hands.

“You never know, he might be like one of those hot assholes you read about in your romance novels," Reid teased.

I threw a wadded-up napkin at him as I laughed. I didn't have the best track record with men. It was like I was cursed to find the most psychotic ones. But there was only so long a vibrator was a good enough lover, and I was at that point where I needed a night of passion with a man.

I finished my beer and pushed my chair back. The night was young, and I was getting tired of staring at the love birds canoodling in front of me. I loved my friends, but I always felt like the third wheel. There were only so many stolen kisses and glancing touches I could witness before the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head.

Besides, I wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. It was as if it were part of my soul. If this guy was married or psycho, then I would never set foot in another bar for the rest of my life.

I turned away from the table and walked to the bar, sliding onto the stool next to him. He was still doing something on his phone and didn’t look up.

That wasn't a good sign. A guy that looked at his phone more than the world around him raised red flags. He was probably on a hookup app, or texting his wife or girlfriend.

The bartender, Mike, approached. “What can I get you?” He wiped the spot in front of me and put down a new chipboard coaster.

Mike should have known my order by then, but he still asked every time, just in case. “Two shots of your best tequila and your house beer, extra head if possible.”

The foam seemed to help my body absorb the alcohol better. Really, it was probably all mental. My request often got weird looks, but also attracted attention and elicitedthat’s what she saidcomments.

“I’ll take the same. Put it on my tab.” My neighbor spoke without looking up from his phone. His voice was slightly raspy and deep; it sounded like he had just rolled out of bed after a rough night of debauchery. It somewhat canceled out the fact that he was on his phone.

“Thanks.” I tapped my fingers on the bar top a few times and casually leaned a little toward him, trying to see what was capturing his attention so much that he couldn’t even look up from the screen.

He clicked the screen off and flipped the phone over before turning his head in my direction. “Sorry. I got a lead on a job.” His eyes met mine before briefly glancing down at my lips.

Oh, damn. Was it just an accident he had looked at my lips, or did it mean he was interested?

“Are you new to town?” I asked, sliding the drinks toward us after the bartender set them down on the counter. "I haven't seen you around."

There were only so many bars in the area, and the same crowd frequented them.

“Something like that.” He put his hand out. “I'm Cole.”

I took his hand, which was warmer than expected, and it sent a shiver of excitement down my spine. I gasped and hid it by clearing my throat. “Ivy.”

“Are we going to drink these?” He handed me a shot and grabbed one for himself.

I kept my eyes on him as we took the shots. It was bold to buy a woman drinks, especially when he appeared to be jobless. Top shelf at that.

“So, Cole, what brings you to Arbor Falls?” I traced the top of my beer glass with my index finger.

He watched my finger go around the rim for a moment before meeting my eyes. They were a caramel brown color and held an intensity that made me look away. The butterflies came at me in full force.

“Figured it was time for a change. Did you grow up here?” Geez, his teeth were so white I couldn't keep my eyes off his mouth.

"Just moved here eight or so months ago. I'm from Salinity Cove." I could have told him how I really was from Arbor Falls but was abandoned like a piece of gum in a bush, but that might have been too much too soon. "Have you had the chance to explore yet? There are some fun little shops and restaurants, and amazing hiking near the falls."

He took a drink of his beer as I spoke but never took his eyes off me. "I'll have to check it out. I heard there were wild animals though."

I shrugged. "They're more scared of us than we are of them. Last weekend we were hiking and saw a gray wolf. It was a rare sight since they aren't usually seen during the day. It watched us from afar but didn't come any closer. None of us could get our cameras out in enough time to take a picture."

"That's too bad. Are you sure it wasn't just a coyote?" He shifted closer to me on his stool.

"Pretty sure I know the difference between a wolf and coyote." At least, I hoped I did. Jessica and Reid both thought it was a wolf too.

His phone vibrated and he flipped it over so fast that I wasn’t sure if I’d even seen it happen. He read the screen and sighed before picking up his beer and guzzling the rest of it down in one gulp. He wiped the foam from his lips with the back of his hand and stood.

“Sorry to cut this short, but I have to go.” He grabbed his jacket off the hook under the bar top, sending a whiff of something spicy like cinnamon in my direction, and left before I could even get a word out.

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