Page 15 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

Chapter 7 - Reiner

Downtown Green Lake is usually slow and low-key, just the kind of place you want when you’re trying to blend in. Most shifters living here, despite their wolf sides, tend to be gentle folks. Hardworking people who don’t usually cause much of a fuss or draw a lot of attention.

But right now, it’s filled with people from Stardust Hollow, and our sleepy little town is overwhelmed. Shop owners and service employees alike already have their hands full today, and it’s barely past lunchtime. Even the hardware store is experiencing an unexpected turnout. One of the proprietors is helping a customer change a filter, and I make eye contact with him for just a second. An awkward nod passes between us, and he tugs his ball cap down, returning his attention to his purchase.

I love this town. Really, I do.

I also really don’t want these pack members here any longer than necessary. When they all return home and things go back to normal, I will go back to living my simple, uncomplicated life. Until then, we’re stuck with them.

Once I grab what I need and pay, I start back toward my car when an unwanted scent fills my nostrils. Cursing, I come to a dead stop, trying my damnedest to avoid turning and catching sight of her, but no such luck. There she is, right across the street, with her arm linked with Piper’s. My faux lover Jane laughs with our beta’s wife and disappears into the throngs of shoppers, none the wiser.

Everything in me tells me I should not follow. I should hop in my car and go home and not look back.

But I think about the way she tasted, her softness, and the warm, wet brush of her tongue against mine. The high-pitched moans that caressed my ears, and the way she quivered in my arms.

Shit. I’m getting hard all over again.

After Jack interrupted us, Jane took off so fast, I’m surprised my welcome mat didn’t catch fire. We never did end up going to dinner. No doubt, she was thrown off by Jack’s little comments, and I can’t blame her for that. He does have a tendency to needle, and when he gets rolling, it’s hard to make him stop.

Again, I know I should let her go.

There’s nothing keeping me glued to this spot; no reason why I can’t escape the two chattering women and lock myself in my truck. Maybe I should go home and take a shower to rid myself of the sticky heat she seemed to fill me with when I touched her. And yet, I don’t move.

Maybe it’s the odd sense of curiosity I feel, or maybe my subconscious won’t allow me to let her disappear so easily. All I know is that when they duck into one of the stores, I cross the street and stick close enough to follow the tinkle of their laughter through the aisles, taking extra care to stay out of sight.

“I saw the way you two looked at each other last night at Evan’s place,” Piper’s voice teases. “Give me the gossip.”

I roll my eyes, peeking down an aisle and seeing that they’re surrounded by women’s clothing, blouses, dresses, nightgowns. They’re browsing and chatting, not interested in leaving anytime soon. I lean against a shelf, pretending to look at the contents. A sign that says “Bubble Bath” is staring back at me, but my mind is focused only on Jane.

Piper giggles, lifting a red and green knit top to her shoulders and spinning around with a flourish.

Jane smiles, folding her arms and twisting her lips in a nervous expression. “There’s really nothing to tell, Piper. Honestly, this is all just so… unexpected. For both of us.”

“I’ll say,” Piper agrees. “I’ve known Reiner for a while, since I first came to Green Lake. He’s the last person I expected you would hit it off with, but the moment I saw you last night…” She playfully slaps Jane’s arm and squeals. “You two were drawn to one another, everyone could see it. I swear, I felt like I was watching a couple of magnets struggling not to cling to one another.”

“Now you’re just being silly.”

“Uh-huh,” Piper replies, grinning and wagging her brows. “If I’d known he was your type, I would’ve introduced you a long time ago. I feel like such a shit cousin. I guess I just thought you were too young for Reiner, is all.”

Silence.

When I peer over a shelf, I see Jane staring at her shoes, looking a bit frazzled. She’s chewing on her lip, and I have the distinct feeling that Piper won’t give up until Jane tells her everything. The truth will get out one way or another. Which means I will have to intervene here.

I take a few steps in their direction, but before Jane can say anything, Piper comments, “You know, Lenny thinks it’s all just a giant scam.”

Jane gasps, and I stop walking.

“Scam?” Jane repeats.

“I know, I know. My brother is always looking for some kind of conspiracy. Always seeing plots and schemes where thereare none,” Piper says quickly. “He says you’re not Reiner’s usual type, but I told him that’s probably what makes you special.”

Jane squares her shoulders, and something in her posture tells me she’s back in the game. I sidestep and go back into hiding.

She starts tearing through the rack, mumbling to herself about fat-shaming assholes, clearly agitated. She holds something to her body that is far too small, gives it a brief once-over, and tosses it aside, looking disgusted. Finally, she jerks some skimpy, lacy number free from its hanger and holds it up with an angry glare. “If this was a sham, why would I bother buying lingerie for my boyfriend to enjoy?”

Oh, good God.

Piper is stumbling over herself, going on about how she didn’t mean anything by it, but my mouth has gone dry. An image of Jane wearing what she just pulled from the rack invades my brain. I picture her sprawled out on my bed, her legs spread wide and beckoning me over… I can almost taste her. Almost. What if she’d let me taste more than her lips?

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