Page 30 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“What’s wrong?” Gael asks.

Dani pulls up beside us. She’s got her sunglasses on, but I can see how her eyes are scanning the group. She plasters on a wide, flirtatious smile when they land on me, and she wiggles her manicured fingers.

“Reiner!” she exclaims. “Fancy meeting you here.”

I can feel Rafe’s eyes on me, burning into the back of my skull as I step up to the side of her car.

“What are you doing here, Dani?” I ask.

“I’m just passing through,” she says. “I saw you and thought I’d say hi.”

“Hi,” I say. “Now you can go.”

“Oh, come on,” she purrs. “Don’t be like that, Reiner. Hey, you know they’re playing karaoke at the bar tonight. Why don’t you and I have a drink and sing a song?”

“I’m busy,” I answer.

“Aww,” she pouts. “You’re no fun. Come on, it could be like old times. Remember how much fun we used to have?”

I wince, fighting every urge to look over my shoulder to see the look on Rafe’s face. I can picture it nice and clear. No doubt he’s got his eyebrow raised, his arms are crossed over his chest, and he’s giving me that “I’m disappointed in you” look.

“That was a long time ago,” I tell her.

“So?” she asks. “We can have fun again. I’m still single, you know. I’m not seeing anyone.”

“I am,” I inform her, even though I know she already knows. She met Jane at the party. She’s just trying to stir up trouble. “You should get going, Dani. It’s not safe out here. We’re patrolling.”

“Oh, I’m not scared,” she says. “I have a big, strong wolf here to protect me.”

I step back and roll my eyes. “Get home, Dani. Now.”

She blinks at me for a moment, and without a word, she peels away, kicking up a cloud of dust as she goes. I watch her taillights disappear down the road, and I’m dreading turning around. I know what I’m going to see.

“Well, that was interesting,” Queenie says.

“I’ve got a question,” Gael says.

“Me too,” Rafe chimes in.

“Oh, Jesus,” I mutter.

“Me first,” Queenie declares. “What the hell was that, Reiner? I’ve never once seen you turn down an opportunity to fuck a hot woman.”

“Yeah, I’ve got a question about that,” Gael says.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Can we not do this right now? We’ve got rogues out here.”

“So, you’re saying thereisa story,” Queenie prods.

“I’m saying we have bigger things to worry about,” I argue.

“I think it’s great,” Rafe says. “Jane’s a good girl. She deserves a guy who’s not a total asshole.”

“Gee, thanks,” I mutter.

“You know what I mean,” Rafe says. “You’re not exactly known for your serious relationships.”

“I’ve had a few,” I argue.

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