Page 23 of Taming the Wicked Wolf

“You’re going to have to order something if you intend on staying and watching the game.” I say, grabbing a small laminated menu and placing it in front of him.

“Very well,” Silas sits back on the bar stool, his eyes roaming over the selection, “Would you recommend the Roadhouse Barbecue Bacon Burger?”

A couple walks up to the bar a few seats down, chatting and glancing over at us.

“If you want to pretend to be human, yes.”

“Then I’ll have that and whatever beer you think would be appropriate.” He says, placing the menu on the bar and sliding it towards me.

“How are you going to pay for this?”

He reaches into his back pocket, and I feel a spark of magic as he pulls out a credit card.

“Is this legit?” I ask, plucking it from his fingertips and looking at the name, “Silas James Wolfe? That’s a bit on the nose, don’t you think?”

He grabs it, sliding it back in his pocket, “I was in a hurry. Do you know how difficult it is to pick out a name?”

“Fair enough. Where does the money come from?”

“Several high yield bank accounts and a bit of legal trickery.”

Smiling, I jot down his order and put it in with the kitchen and then go to wait on the other customers at the bar. I feel Silas’ attention as I work.

The logical side of my brain tries to convince me I’m only looking over to make sure he’s not causing any trouble, but I know that’s not the case.

Ever since that one night, his gaze holds the promise of something more. I would give anything to explore that, but the truth is I don’t know where to start.

Neither of us is exactly jumping at the chance to have a conversation about our relationship, whatever it may be.

Though each time I check, he’s on his best behavior. The glamour is holding in place while he’s torn between watching me and the game, but the latter is slowly winning.

It’s funny to see a nearly 240-year-old demon captivated by the sport, though I know the feeling. I wasn’t that into sports when I started working here, just a casual hockey fan, thanks to my stepdad, but having a pro football team so close really changes your perspective.

I grab his order from the kitchen and pour a pint of dark ale, and turn to see an older man explaining the game to Silas. Great, now maybe he can explain it to me. Carly Beth has tried a couple times, but I can’t get the hang of it past the basic concepts. Run the ball until you score or until you’re in range for a field goal. Conversions and all that other stuff are still a mystery to me.

Speaking of, Carly Beth stands at the other end of the bar, fiddling with her order pad. She gives me a nod, waving me over.

“What’s the deal with you two?” She whispers, loud enough that I can hear her over the game.

I glance at Silas, “He’s just staying with me while I figure all this Chase stuff out.”

“But you like him.” She pokes at my side, a smile on her face, “He likes you too. Geez, from the way he’s eye-fucking you, I’m scared I might get pregnant if I walk between you guys.”

“Is it weird? Because of the whole protecting me from my ex thing?”

“Chase really messed with your head, Em. If Silas is that into you and nothing has happened. He’s a good one.”

How can I explain to her that somethingdidhappen, and I was the one who initiated it? Sort of. She’s right, though. Silas hasn’t pushed. He hasn’t even brought it up. To think a demon is better at respecting boundaries than my ex.

“That man dropped everything to make sure you were okay the other night.” Carly Beth says, “I mean, it feels like he practically teleported. Who knows what kind of speeding ticket he could’ve gotten?”

Technically, he did teleport, but I can’t tell her that.

I look down at my bracelet. It wasn’t the spell. He used his own powers.

Silas came running without me asking. If he doesn’t feel bound to help me, then that means he’s doing because he cares. It also means he might be kind of playing me by pretending to be all subservient. I should be mad, but I think I could have a little fun with this.

Silas watches the rest of the game, more invested than I thought he would be. Carly Beth does another round and returns, she hasn’t taken her eyes off of us since the revelation.

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