Page 44 of Run Free

I watched with anticipation as he poured syrup over the French toast and took an obnoxiously big bite. His eyes widened when it hit his taste buds and he slowly chewed, moaning in appreciation. I beamed in victory.

“Told ya. Who’s the dork now? Huh?” I teased.

Peyton watched us with open curiosity. “I’m glad you like it,” she said, and started to get up.

“Pey, you okay?” I asked, reaching out to stop her.

“Yeah. Everything’s great. You guys are really cute together. I’m happy for you,” she said, and I could tell she genuinely meant it. “I’ll leave you to your breakfast. I still have work to do.” She nodded towards the kitchen and I let her go this time.

We ate our meal, talking and joking around with each other. I think we both felt the shift in our relationship after the previous night. This was really happening, and I could feel our bond strengthening even more.

Gage

Chapter 23

I had avoided packs for a long time. I thought it would feel weird to be back in one, but I was wrong. It felt natural. At first my wolf was nervous and agitated. I think he may have been feeling my unease and responding to that.

Breakfast had been nice, and I found I was a little disappointed when Clara hadn’t openly claimed me to her friend. I think she was trying to spare me from the spotlight, but like I’d tried to tell her, a new wolf in a close pack is going to draw attention no matter what. Better once than twice, in my opinion, but I didn’t want to force her hand or embarrass her in any way.

Still, even knowing everyone was still watching, as we left the restaurant, I had linked my fingers with hers in a silent claim. It felt like such a natural thing that I’m not sure she even noticed what I’d done.

Her house sat just far enough out of town that a car was necessary to get around, so we walked back to her place first. I hadn’t noticed the two-car detached garage when we’d arrived the day before. She led us there, fishing keys out of the small purse she had carried to breakfast with her.

“I thought you wanted to take a shower after breakfast,” I reminded her.

She pouted at me, looking sad. “Okay,” she conceded, and turned to walk towards the house.

“Hey, hey, hey what’s up? Why the sad face?” I asked, concerned I’d done or said something wrong.

She blushed furiously, and I bit back a grin. I had a feeling this was going to be good. She wouldn’t look at me.

“Clara?”

She took a deep breath and let it out. “I don’t want to take a shower because I like having your scent on me,” she blurted out and her face turned ten shades of deeper red. She was unbelievably cute.

I hugged her to me and blew my scent onto her neck, making her wiggle in my arms. That was not what I had expected her to confess, but it made me deliriously happy to hear it.

“I’ll be happy to cover you in my scent anytime, angel.”

She shivered and I felt the goosebumps prick her arms as I ran my hands up and down them.

“If you want to take a shower first we can. I just wanted to show you around town some. We don’t even have to get out of the car.”

“I can go without a shower for now. And I think it’s time we stop by and see your brother, too. It was rude of me not to yesterday,” I admitted.

She nodded. “Okay.”

She walked back over and unlocked the garage. I’m not sure what I had expected exactly, probably something conservative and practical, a safe little four door sedan, certainly not the blue, brand new, latest model Lamborghini Aventador sitting before me. It was beautiful. I’d never even seen one up close like that before. Then she tossed me the keys and got into the passenger side.

I froze. “Wait, you want me to drive this?”

She looked at me like I was crazy. “I know you can drive, Gage. I’ve already ridden with you, remember?”

“But this? You’re going to trust me to drive this?” I asked, just to be sure.

She laughed. “I like fast cars. It’s not a big deal. I trade in for the latest model every year. It’s my one big splurge.” She shrugged. “No surprise, I work a lot. My house was bought in cash. This thing was, too. I make really good money and everything is provided for me on the job. So like this last month, I just banked it all and didn’t spend a single dime. That happens a lot. I don’t go crazy and just buy frivolously, except for my car.”

I climbed in. The seat seemed to envelop me like a cozy blanket wrapped around my body. I adjusted the mirrors and controls to my height as Clara watched me from the passenger seat. Finally, I went to start it. I looked at the key in my hand, finding it wasn’t really a key at all. I looked for an electronic start on the dashboard. Nothing.

---