Page 25 of Chomp's Challenge

He chuckles as he counts the money from the old-fashioned cash register then fills out a deposit slip before putting all of it in the bank bag then sealing it with a tiny zip tie. “I would’ve done it anyhow.”

Rolling my eyes I sass, “So, you’re willingly admitting that you’re stalking me?”

“Not stalking, protecting,” he advises. I watch him check the windows and the back door that leads to a small porch which is only accessible to employees. It has a small table and a couple of chairs and I smile thinking of taking a break out there and breathing in the fresh air.

Once the laptop shuts down, I close it, grab my bag then stand up. “I’m officially ready,” I tease.

“That’s a new purse,” he remarks as he guides me out the front door, switching the open sign to closed, and adjusting the clock to show when we’ll reopen before he sets the alarm and locks the door behind him.

“Yeah, I didn’t really like the other one,” I reply.

Actually, I pretty much replaced the clothes they brought from the house, as well as most of the other personal belongings. I don’t want anything from before to touch the new life I’m building. Callie understood, but I know whenever I bring up the past, it makes Chomp as well as his gator very angry.

“Well, I like it. It suits you, Ariel,” he says, taking my hand as we walk toward town.

He entertains me with what happened while he was out on his tour. Seems the man had never really been out on the water before, so when he saw some of the wildlife that Yukon Bluff has, he kind of freaked out a little bit. Chomp starts laughing and says, “Shoulda known he was a city slicker by the way he was dressed.”

I grin while nodding. “Yeah, I saw him arrive and he was wearing fancy shoes for someone who was going to be out on a fishing boat.”

“You hungry?” he asks. “I ordered a couple of pizzas. We can take them to your place and eat before I take off for the night so you can chill.”

“I think I’d like that,” I say, “but only if you included pineapple.”

Part of me wonders if it’s his gator side that is constantly wanting to feed me, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings by asking. Since I went so long with little to nothing to eat, I can definitely afford to gain some weight, that’s for sure.

“It’s not as good as mine,” he warns, “but it’ll do in a pinch.” He taps his temple. “And I didn’t forget. Ham, pineapple, and cinnamon per your request.”

Chomp just might become one of my favorite people. Err, shifter.

Chapter

Eleven

CHOMP

The house is empty when we arrive at Ariel’s new place. It’s still bright out considering the time of year, so no worries about anyone hiding in the shadows to spook her. I still notice her gaze dart around the property before she pushes the key in the lock and opens the door.

I shuffle in behind her, balancing the pizza boxes. I’ve also got a bag of drinks slung over one of my wrists. There’s not a free hand to shut the door so I use my boot, careful not to scuff the wood.

Ariel laughs as she sees my nonexistent struggle. “Why don’t I help you out with those drinks?”

“Just tell me where you want the pizzas and then I’ll take care of the rest.”

And her, my gator adds. We need to feed her often, he says. Mate is too thin. I shake my head at his antics, but he’s right, which is why I’m constantly offering her food. I know if she’s full, she’ll stop eating.

Ariel beams a smile and leads the way into the kitchen, slapping her palm on the counter. “Right here. We can fix our plates and then head into my room to watch a movie or something if you feel up to it. I know you’ve had a long day.”

I’m a bit shocked. I didn’t think she’d want me here for that long. After all, she left my house as soon as she could. But I know the reasons and accept them. “Sounds good to me,” I respond, probably a little too enthusiastic. Normally, I consider myself the type of guy not to get hung up on a woman or tongue-tied, but this is my mate. She’s got me all twisted in the best of ways and I don’t even care.

Ariel pulls plates from a cupboard and hands one over. “I’m starving. It must be the fresh air and work giving me an appetite.”

“Probably,” I agree, but know it’s the freedom and feeling she’s safe that’s added to it.

Trying not to hover and watch how much she puts on her plate, I stack slices on mine, add cheesy garlic bread, and a couple of cookies too. I’m a big guy and I can eat which I know she’s figured out, so why bother hiding it?

Ariel gestures to the 2-Liters I picked up. I brought three because I wasn’t sure if she wanted water or something else with her pizza. “Which one do you want?”

“Root beer. It’s one of my favorites.”

---