Page 207 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“Never.”

“Well, you’ll break your back. We still have to go the rest of the way down.”

He laughed. “I’m stronger than I look.”

He really seemed to be. He carried me effortlessly, like I only weighed twenty pounds. The muscles of his shoulders and back flexed as he walked. It didn’t seem to strain him to carry me, andhe wasn’t even breathing hard. I wanted to hate him for it, but it was the hottest thing in the world.

Miles only set me on my feet when we reached the truck. He opened my door and nodded toward the road. “We’ll take that road. It goes down to a little picnic area.”

“We’re having a picnic?”

He grinned at me. “What do you think I did for the thirty minutes you were getting ready? I hope you aren’t a picky eater, though.”

FOURTEEN

MILES

Taking Celina to the mountains had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. I’d woken up that morning with a desperate need to go into the wilderness and connect with nature. To unwind and be away from the world for a little while. It was what I needed, but it also felt hollow, like something would be missing if I went alone.

My wolf, and I, wanted to be around Celina all the time. We were drawn to her. I was already beginning to feel some of the physical pain Steff and Tate had when they’d been waiting to claim their mates. Thankfully, Celina had agreed to join me.

Once we’d started driving up into the mountains, the stress of the previous day seemed to melt away. The trees, rivers, and mountains helped settle my nerves and brought my mind back under control. Having Celina with me made it all the better. I’d even found her to be more relaxed as she got to talking. In my opinion, the only reason people thought she was odd was the fact that she didn’t have a lot of experience talking to people. Once she got going, she was charming, funny, and bright.

Surprisingly, she’d been very curious about me, which probably stemmed from her being a writer. How could one write about people’s stories if you didn’t know stories about people? I had to keep the truth about my childhood secret, and I didn’tgo into my banishment. I didn’t want to lie to her, so instead of diving deep into my past, I tried to steer the conversation to the last ten or so years of my life.

The kiss had also been a last-second decision. Totally unplanned, spur of the moment, and probably the most exciting thing that had happened to me in my life. Celina looked so beautiful and peaceful with her cheeks red from the cold, her breath puffing out in small clouds. It had been too much for me. I wanted to take it all in and deepen our connection. My wolf and I had wanted to howl in elation when she didn’t pull away. All the way down to the picnic area, I did my best to keep the goofy smile off my face.

I was happy to see that the picnic tables were all vacant. We’d have the place to ourselves—for a little while at least. I helped Celina out of the truck before grabbing the big cooler I’d prepped. We walked to the tables in silence, but it was a companionable, comfortable silence. Once there, I unpacked the food.

“Do you want a mimosa? I’ve got everything to make it.” I shot her a teasing smile. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be in the mood after your little party last night.”

Celina made an embarrassed face and looked away, but I caught the hint of a smile quirking up her lips. “I think I can handle a mimosa.”

“All right then,” I said, pulling out the small jug of orange juice and a half bottle of champagne.

After I poured the drinks, I set out the plate of sliced fruit, a charcuterie board, and some crackers and nuts. I handed her a napkin and her drink, then sat down next to her.

She looked at the spread, then turned to me, one eyebrow raised. “You did all this? This morning?”

I felt my own face trying to go red the way hers usually did. “Well, yeah. I had a lot of it made already. I’m usually workinga ton, so I’ve got a bunch of these snack-type foods ready to go.” I rolled my eyes at myself. “I did, maybe, go out this morning to get the champagne, though.”

Celina grabbed a thinly sliced piece of cheese and a cracker. “It’s like Lunchables for grownups.”

I laughed, grabbing an apple slice. “I guess you’re right.”

Celina took a few tiny bites, and I ate in silence, sipping from my drink every now and then. We’d only met a few days ago, but I’d already figured out some of her facial cues and body language. She was thinking about something, it was obvious a question was forming, but I continued eating, waiting for her to come out and ask whatever was stewing in that pretty head.

“Is this a date?” she blurted out. As soon as she said it, she clamped her lips shut as though she’d surprised herself by actually asking the question.

“Would it bother you if I said yes?”

She shook her head no, but her mouth was clamped firmly shut.

I raised my glass to her in a toast. “Then, I’m glad this is a date.”

“Okay,” Celina said, giving me a shy grin.

We ate in silence for a while. I was comfortable in silence, and if I had to guess, so was Celina. For me, the quiet wasn’t uncomfortable—it relaxed me. I saw it as a time to experience more than words and conversation. There was a lot more to being with someone than talking. I enjoyed getting to see how she ate, and the way she wiped her lips with a napkin.

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