Page 333 of Love Bites

Oh, right. He’d asked me a question. “Yes. Sorry.” His smile fell, and his face stiffened. It took me a second to rewind the conversation enough to realize I’d just answered hisIs that a problemquestion about him being a shifter in the positive. Oops.

“No. I mean no. I mean…I’m so sorry. You being a shifter isn’t a problem. I’ve dated them before.”

He didn’t look thrilled about that. “You have?”

“In this town? How could I not?”

“And you’re okay with it?”

“Sure.” Misty’s words of warning filtered through my mind. “Wait, you’re not a skunk shifter, are you?”

Magnus looked positively insulted. “Heavens no. I’m all wolf.”

Like Nico.Wonderful. “I’ve dated a wolf before. I’m familiar—”

His sudden growl cut me off. I stared, unable to look away. Not afraid, really, more…turned on. That sound called to me in a way I didn’t understand. I’d heard it in the bakery as well—not knowing then what it was—and I’d reacted the same. I wanted to cuddle up on his lap and snuggle him close. Wanted to rub my cheek against his and soothe the beast inside of him. Which could be awkward. We were at a nice restaurant, after all.

I could identify every shifter in the place, though. They were the ones who’d stiffened and turned in our direction even from across the room. The ones who could hear him. Who sensed the danger. My date was dangerous. That really should not have been so hot.

“Are you okay?” I asked, keeping my voice low so as not to attract any more attention than we were already getting.

Magnus coughed, his growl quieting. “Sorry. That just hit me the wrong way.”

“What did? The fact that I’ve dated—”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“I didn’t need to—the fact that you’ve dated covers it.”

This man.“You’re jealous.”

His eyes caught mine, looking hungry and predatory. His wolf likely staring back at me. “Of course I am. How could I not be with such a charming and beautiful woman as mine…date? As my date.”

If only I could really be his. But this—us spending time together—would have to be enough. I could play the game if it meant getting more time with him. I’d just have to guard my heart a little bit. Keep a safe distance from any sort of emotional connection. Totally doable. “You’re a charmer.”

“I try. So I should take that as I’m succeeding?” He leaned closer, smiling again, reaching for my hand.

I gave it to him. “So far, yes.”

“I’ll take that. Maybe someday I’ll get a resounding yes.” He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I’ll get you yelling a few of them in a row.”

“Naughty, sir. Very naughty.”

“Only with you, my sweet Coco. Just you.”

So…maybe that emotional distance wasn’t as doable as I’d originally thought. It’d be fine, though. Perfect. I’d figure out how to deal with keeping him at bay.

Hopefully.

Magnus paid the bill when it came, insisting even after I offered to do so. He also held my chair for me as I rose and kept a hand on my lower back as we left the restaurant. All such simple things, but so important. So sweet and filled with manners many men no longer seemed to have. I was swooning hard.

“I had a great time,” I said, standing on my front porch and feeling an awful lot like a teenager on a first date.

Magnus smiled, staring down at me. “I did as well. I hope you’ll let me take you out again.”

“Yes.”

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