Page 6 of Wolfish Hunger
I need to get to know him better. Not just superficially – deeper, more intimately. My body positively craves his: every time we touch, electric sparks dance along my skin as if my nerve endings are coming alive for the very first time. It's a brand-new sensation, but it feels like it was always supposed to be here. Like I've been hungry for Kane's touch my entire life, but didn't have words for it, since I hadn't experienced it yet.
Kind of like how you can’t describe the flavor of chocolate until you try it, and then you become instantly addicted. Except this craving is even more intense.
Kane takes my hand. Gosh, my fingers look tiny next to his. "It's going to be a tough choice for our next date." His low voice is a smoky murmur. "There are plenty of good restaurants around here. But you said you were craving a larger kitchen. I'dbe happy to volunteer mine, and we could cook together some evening?"
I love that he leaves the timeline open ended, so that I don’t feel pressured. "That could be fun. I bet it’s larger than this table, at least." I meant it as a joke, but something flickers in his eyes.
He lifts my hand to his lips, kisses my knuckles, then lets go. "Excuse me. I'll be back in a moment."
Kane heads to the restroom, and I take another look around the restaurant. All the decorations are in bright, cheerful colors, a blend of modern and traditional. The customers include people of all ages in couples or small groups, all chatting away as they enjoy their dinners.
All, that is, except for two men in their mid-twenties who are walking straight to our table. They’re both slim and wiry, one with sandy blonde hair, and the other with black hair and a tie emblazoned with stylized bright green computer code.
"Hey," Sandy Hair practically whispers. "Was that really Kane Wolfe?"
"Uh, yes. Why?"
The guys fist bump, their eyes as bright as if they'd just seen a movie star. “Those brothers are, like, techgods," Tie Guy gushes. "The way they mix organic input into their security algorithms is just…chef’s kiss."
"Not to mention, it makes the company way more approachable," Sandy Hair says. "It's a marketing dream. Their European ads are hella cool, too. Probably why they just hit the billion-dollar mark a few months ago."
Tie Guy looks at me strangely, probably because my face is completely blank. “You… You do know about his company, right?"
"No, sorry."
For the next two minutes, the guys babble on about Wolfe Security and its high-end algorithms that mix in input frombird call and wind measuring stations around the mountain. I've never been a techie kind of person, but their excitement over “using organic elements to create impenetrable code” is almost infectious.
“Wait." Sandy smacks his friend on the shoulder, then looks back at me in alarm. "Are we interrupting a date? Oh my God! I'm so sorry. Didn't even think."
Sandy grabs Tie Guy’s arm and turns to leave but instead walks straight into a black button-down shirt stretched across a massive, muscular chest. Kane wedges his body partly between me and the two strangers and turns, searching my eyes and mouthing, "Are you okay?"
Wow. The way he snapped immediately into protective mode… There aren’t words for how amazing it feels to be cared for like this.
I nod quickly in an effort to get him to stand down. "These guys were just saying how much they admire your company.”
Kane's broad shoulders relax.
"We're so sorry to interrupt, man," Tie Guy says. "But… Could we get a quick photo?"
Kane nods, leading them away from our table so I have a bit more space. They take a few selfies, then he shakes their hands firmly and wishes them a good night.
As Kane slides in beside me, he takes my hand. "Sorry about that."
“It’s okay,” I smile. “They weren’t staring atme, so it was fine. But… Does that kind of thing happen to you very often?”
“Not often, but sometimes. More at tech conferences. Or if there’s recently been a big article about us.” He drops my hand to slip an arm around me, drawing us close together. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah.” Of course it’s okay. It’s like being wrapped in a blanket of solid muscle.
“Hey, just so I know how to proceed… Are you shy? Or an introvert?” His deep eyes are so earnest. “Or both? I want to know the best way to keep you comfortable if that happens again when we’re together.”
Oh goodness. We barely know each other, and he’s already concerned about how to keep me comfortable in the future? That feels significant. It also makes me want to be as honest with him as possible.
“Sometimes…both, I guess. I can usually speak up for myself and power through any awkward situations. But I hate being put on the spot, being stared at and observed closely, or having to speak to groups. It might stem from twins constantly being expected to perform for an audience when we’re little.”
“I’m glad you’re okay with me.” His hand rubs along my arm gently. “I’m a pretty big guy, and that makes people nervous sometimes.”
“Yes, but you have a gentle energy,” I say. “Like a huge teddy bear.”
