Twelve
Reese
“Oh my God, you weren’t kidding about my feet falling off when it comes to shopping with your mom,” I bemoan overly dramatic. Wolf wasn’t home when my car finally pulled itself into the driveway. Okay, it didn’t do that on its own, but with how exhausted I was, my body was on autopilot the entire drive here. And I still had to unload my car. There was plenty too—clothes, boots, a few things for around Wolf’s house. Which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how he takes what I’ve added to not only inside of the house but also on his front porch.
“I warned you. Come here, sunshine.” I’m standing in the kitchen, dicing up tomatoes to go with a fast dinner of oven fried chimichangas. The way his voice comes out, deep and grumbly, I stop what I’m doing, my feet ready and willing to go anywhere with him. Which is why when I bought things for his place, it wasn’t just for him. It was for me too.
“Hey.” My voice cracks. Wolf’s hands move to my hips, his lips meet mine, lightly grazing them, and then he’s pulling me in for a hug. Apparently, he’s not upset about the new cushions I bought for the outdoor swing or the plethora of pots, though I’ll need his help with the use of his truck to go to the nursery.
“Sunshine, need you to know here and now, I’m not letting you leave me. In fact, before your parents get here next week, you may just want them to pack your place.” I pull back from him, secretly whooping it up in happiness inside my soul but also trying not to bust a gut laughing.
“As amazing as that sounds, you clearly haven’t met my parents yet. They love me like the dickens, but they’d never pack my house for me. Plus, Mom and Dad will definitely have you answering to their twenty-one questions, rapid fire like.” I let out a laugh because Wolf has no idea what he’s in for.
“Pretty sure I can deal with that. You and I can go bring everything down here after they meet me.” He’s got it all planned out, and while I love that about him, I still have one issue.
“Um, not to ruin your fun, but there is this little thing I need to think about. Okay, maybe two things. My apartment lease, which if I break it, I’m out some money. That’s not too much of an issue, but the other, it’s a big contender,” I tell him. Wolf still hasn’t said anything about all the changes I’ve made, so I’m kind of wondering if he’s that kind of male, much like my own father, who doesn’t notice anything.
“What’s that?” His hands rest on his hips. I roll my eyes at this alpha stance he’s taking.
“A j-o-b,” I spell out. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever live off someone for free or not have some kind of steady income. “Don’t, do not even say what I’m pretty sure I know you’ll be saying. I get that you want to take care of me, and I’m wholly grateful for it, but a woman has to be able to stand on her own two feet too.”
“Well, you know damn well that I will, and I have plenty of it to go around. I didn’t scrimp, scour, and save for nothing. I understand where you’re coming from, but it’s not like there aren’t schools in this area. You even said so yourself that you’re wanting a change. No one says you can’t take a break to see what’s around Hitchcock or the surrounding areas. Though, you may not make as much money as you did before.” I walk away when Wolf starts talking about me quitting my job, not wanting to blow this out of proportion. I know what he’s trying to do, and I know he’s coming from a good place, but I’m not sure my independent streak will allow me to even fathom his offer.
“This place is yours though, Wolf. It’s not mine. I didn’t help you with it and you pay for everything. I can’t even buy groceries without you feeling the need to reimburse me.” The chopping of my tomatoes echoes through the kitchen, probably with more vigor than necessary.
“Put the knife down, Reese.” Wolf is prowling towards me when I stop what I’m doing. My eyes take him in—black shirt, dark blue jeans, and boots. His standard workwear, but the heat in his eyes, the conviction behind those words, it’s hard not to listen to him.
“I don’t want to fight, Wolf.” I really don’t. I hate confrontation like nobody’s business.
“Not going to fight, sunshine. I’m going to convince you in every way imaginable to have faith in not only me, but in us.” Wolf bends at the waist, hoisting me up and over his shoulder. One arm bands around my legs, the other smacking my ass. I guess this is Wolf’s way of making up, though I think I’ll be the one reaping all the benefits.