“How about this dress, Bon? No denim in sight,” Bloom asks walking back into the kitchen wearing a soft green sun dress that falls just above her knees. It brings out the green in her hazel eyes and if I were in my human form I’d probably drop to my knees begging to touch those long silky smooth legs that I can’t take my eyes off of.
Bonnie gets up and circles her taking in the dress from all angles then says, “Well it’s pretty simple but with the right accessories, it could work. Come on lets go find a belt.” She grabs her hand and proceeds to drag her back in the direction of Bloom’s room. Figuring they’d like some privacy I push open the screen door and make my way to the woods. I have to come up with a plan on how to reveal my true self to my mate and soon, and I think best when I’m running in my four legged form.
Chapter 16 – Bloom
~ It practically screams wear me to a lake party ~
Sitting on my bed with my legs crossed at the ankles I ask, “Is a belt really necessary?”
Bonnie’s tearing through my closet throwing its contents all over my floor and as much as I love the girl I’m about to pull her away. I just cleaned my room the day before and now it looks like it hasn’t been touched in a month.
“We’ve already went over this, a belt could make that dress perfect! I know you have just the right one, I bought it for you two Christmas’ ago. I just have to find the darn thing. You didn’t get rid of it did you?” She questions as she continues the attack on my closet.
“Of course I didn’t.” At least I don’t think I did.
“Oh I think I found it. It’s stuck. Ugh!” I watch as she yanks hard on the end of the belt she’s holding and then falling backwards onto her butt and screams, “I got it!”
“Well that’s good. Are you going to help me clean up this mess you made?”
Standing up she takes a survey of the mess she’s made of my once clean room. “I’ll come over tomorrow and help you clean it up but right now you need to stand up so we can try this on with your dress.”
“Bonnie, I’m going to look silly wearing a dress to the lake,” I try to protest.
“It’s just a cotton sun dress, it practically screams wear me to a lake party. Now stand up.”
Sliding off the bed I groan, “Why are we friends again?”
“If you didn’t have me you’d probably be walking around in boring old jeans and t-shirts all the time. I add a bit of style to your life and though you complain about it, I know deep down you love that about our friendship. Just like I love that you add a little bit of country to mine. So hush up and put this belt on.” She throws the belt at me with a smile on her face.
Putting the belt on I admit, “Okay, that’s true. I do love you. So how does it look?”
Scrunching up her brow and rubbing her chin she looks me over then says, “Add in those brown cowboy boots you own and it’ll be perfect!”
“So what are you wearing?”
“What I have on.”
Taking in her jean skirt, peach colored tank top, and sandals I yell in protest, “Not fair! You’re wearing a jean skirt.”
“So? I look cute don’t I?” She asks checking herself out in the mirror on my closet door.
“You look good, but you said no jean material.”
“I said YOU couldn’t wear jeans, not me. I don’t need to change up my outfit routine; you on the other hand needed an outfit overhaul.”
Throwing myself back on to the bed I complain, “So not fair.”
Sitting down next to me and fiddling with the edge of my comforter, “You’ll get over it. So how are things going with Pike?”
“Good, I feel calmer since he’s been here. I know this might sound weird but I talk to him like he’s a human and Bon I’d swear he understands me.”
“I don’t think it sounds weird Blu. So are you thinking about keeping him around?”
“I don’t think I could get rid of him if I wanted to. He seems to have attached himself to my side.”
“That’s an understatement. Does he even give you alone time to bathe?” She asks giggling.
“Hey, he’s not always with me. He’s not here now!”
“The only reason he’s not is because we drove him away with our girly talk of clothes.”
“Bon, you do realize we’re talking about Pike like he’s some guy I’m dating.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she replies.
“Honestly, I think if it came down to me having to choose between him and a real boyfriend, I’d choose Pike,” I confess.
“That makes sense.”
Confused I turn to her and ask, “How so? I’m starting to think I’m losing touch with reality. You might have to commit me.”
She quietly watches out my bedroom window for a few minutes and then finally speaks, “Bloom, there’s something I think I need to tell you about Pike.”
“What is it?”
“He …” She’s cut off by the sound of Pike howling outside. I run to the back door worrying he’s hurt but find him okay, pawing at the back door.
Coming up behind me Bonnie asks, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, he must have got out the screen door and wanted back in. He’s fine. So what was it you wanted to tell me about him?” I ask running my hands through the fur on the back of Pike’s neck.
She watches Pike intently as she replies, “Oh um … just that you should probably give him a bath. He’s starting to smell ripe.”
“Really? I think he smells wonderful. Like the trees after a storm, all fresh and woodsy,” I say leaning down into his neck to take in his scent.
“Wow! Did you just smell him like you would a bouquet of flowers? You seriously have been cooped up with that dog too long. I think it’s time we head to the lake you need some more human to human interaction. People should be getting there by now anyways,” she says rolling her eyes at me.
“You seriously can’t smell that wonderfully woodsy scent on him?”
“No Bloom, and as tempting as it is to sit here all night watching you sniff Pike, I’d really rather go to the lake so I can check out some of those hot country boys we went to school with. So get your cute little behind off the floor so we can leave.”
“Just let me grab my boots,” I say standing up then ask. “Are you riding with us or following?”
“Following, that way if one of us wants to leave early the other won’t have to leave too.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
An hour later I’m pulling into my favorite fishing spot. The lake’s filling up with all of my old high school friends and I see a few are gathering wood to make a bonfire when it gets dark. There are a handful of guys already set up on the bank fishing and a group of girls not far from them standing around talking. Bonnie already parked and is making her way to the group of girls anxious to join in the gossip. Climbing out of my truck I hold the door open for Pike then begin unloading my fishing gear.
I cast out my last line then decide I might as well join the girls. Other than Bonnie I don’t know the girls very well, we hung around the same circles in school but I’m not close to any of them. A couple give me a nod acknowledging me and one who’s obviously feeling the effects of the beer in her hand throws her arms around my neck pulling me into an awkward hug. Pulling her off me Bonnie innocently directs her attention at someone else, “Jenna, I think I just saw Paul pull-in. Didn’t you tell me you were looking for him?”
Looking around she slurs, “Yeah, where is he?” She locks eyes on her target in the parking lot, and then straightens up and trying to do her sexiest walk heads his way.
Glancing over at Bloom I catch her attention and mouth, “Thank you!”
She mouths back, “Any time,” then goes back to her conversation with the girl beside her.
“Poor Paul, he has no clue Hurricane Jenna’s about to hit him,” Maddy the girl beside me giggles.
“I feel bad for him, but I really didn’t want her spilling that beer down my back,” I say
smiling at Maddy.
“So what’s your dog’s name?”
Looking at Pike standing at attention beside me I reply, “Oh this is Pike.”
“Cool name, so what kind of dog is he?”
“I’m not sure. I found him hurt in the woods beside my house a few days ago and he’s just been with me since. Mr. Harris thinks he might be a wolf hybrid.”
“Wow that’s nice of you to take him in. I’d have been frightened to go near him if I’d seen him in the woods. He’s just so large!”
“I didn’t even think of him being dangerous. I heard his howls and just felt the need to help.” Thinking about it I guess it is strange that I didn’t question running into the woods. Who honestly does something like that? Most people would’ve heard the howl and ran inside, but I felt the need to go to him and help.
Breaking into my inner rambling Maddy says, “Well you’re definitely braver than me.”
“Maybe,” I reply clearly distracted. Can it be that simple? Did I not question it because I’m braver? It seems like something more yet I can’t quite put my finger on it. I look down at Pike and his eyes are on mine. Those ocean blue eyes that are so breath-taking and seem to have way more knowledge behind them than a dog should have.
“Blu, don’t look now but Trace just arrived,” Bonnie whispers in my ear at the same time Pike breaks eye contact and turns his attention towards the parking lot.
“He isn’t coming this way is he?” I ask turning to look at her instead of searching out Trace. I need to make sure he’s a safe distance from me. When she doesn’t answer right away I ask again, “He isn’t coming over here is he, Bonnie?”
Hearing me use her full first name instead of the abbreviation I’ve used ever since we were kids or maybe it’s the shaky way my voice is coming out, she finally brings her attention back to me. “No, he’s not coming over … yet. But he hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he noticed your truck in the parking lot.”
“Crap! I really hope he isn’t moronic enough to make a scene with everyone here.”
“He has that oh so perfect reputation to uphold so I doubt he will.”
“That’s true, he likes everyone to think he’s the good guy.”
I keep my distance from Trace and keep Pike and Bonnie by my side until it starts getting darker. Most of the people are gravitating towards the now roaring bonfire or sneaking off into the woods for some alone time. Bon just happens to be in that last group. She found herself the attention of her high school crush and is now having a nice “talk” behind some trees. So I’m sitting here on the bank with Pike trying to keep my distance from the rowdy group by the fire, which just so happens to include Trace. Every time tonight I’ve taken the chance to make sure he’s a safe distance away I find his eyes watching me and a wicked grin spread across his face. How I ever fell for that good guy act I don’t know. Seeing him now there’s no question that he’s bad, and not in that bad boy you want to save way either. More like the bad guy you’ll find on the evening news after bodies are found in his back yard kind of way.
I make sure he isn’t paying attention as I sneak off into the dark to do some fishing. The moon isn’t out so the lake’s covered in darkness so I know he can’t see me from his position by the fire. Taking comfort in that knowledge I settle down in the grass with Pike by my side.
Running my fingers through Pike’s coat I feel him tense under my hand. Is he actually growling at me? No, he wouldn’t. Looking around I feel like growling myself when I see who Pike has his gaze locked on.
Walking right towards us with that cocky grin on his face is Trace.
I snap back to reality when I feel Pike stand and growl with his ears pinned back. Dang, dogs really can sense the bad guys. Keeping my hand grazing over his fur and trying to show no emotion I look up and ask Trace, “What do you want?”
“We have some unfinished business Bloom, so I thought I’d come keep you company and we can finish what we started.” There’s a wicked gleam in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine.
Not wanting to look weak I stand and look him dead in the eye and ask, “How can you be this thick headed? What from our last encounter would make you think I wanted to spend time with you ever again? Let alone finish what you unsuccessfully tried to start.” Moving to stand in between Trace and myself, Pike dips low ready to pounce with a growl rumbling low in his throat.
“Now come on Blu you know I was just playing. Just call off your mutt and we can talk this out.” He’s actually brave enough to take a step forward. But Pike’s right there to cut him off from coming any closer snapping his jaws at him. Gosh, I’d miss him if someone comes to claim him.
Anger seeping into my voice. “One, only my family and friends calls me Blu and you are neither. Two, Pike is not a mutt. Three, stay the hell away from me, Trace. I’m not interested!” To send the point home Pike lets out a ferocious growl. Trace puts his hands up in defeat and starts backing away. He’s pissed and it shows clearly on his face that he isn’t giving up, but I’m not going to worry about that right now. Pike’s won me this battle.
As soon as Trace’s a safe distance away and clearly not coming back Pike relaxes and comes back over and rubs up against my side. I slide back down onto the bank and rest my head against his side. I can’t help but think that if I can find a guy half as loyal and caring as this dog I’d marry him in a heartbeat. I chuckle at myself. Did I really just wish I could find a guy that acted like a dog? That has to be a first; usually we want them to stop acting like dogs.
Chapter 17 – Pike
~ How? ~
I can see in her mind and feel her emotions. I was listening when she told Bonnie what happened but seeing what that jerk tried to do to her, through our mate bond, has made my wolf crave his blood. Thankfully I also saw what she did to him; it was smart of her carrying that spray. She wasn’t frightened though most women in that situation would’ve been, she was mad and not even at him. She was mad at herself for being such a fool. She’s way too hard on herself. I want to hurt this guy for making her question herself. If she hadn’t been right there watching me I would have ripped him apart, but the last thing I want to do is scare her. I’m already worried how she’s going to react when I reveal my true self to her.
I’ve lain beside her every night for a week. I’ve watched her sleep and breathed in that sweet scent of hers; strawberries and cedar. Even now surrounded by the smells of this lake and the fish living in it, I can smell her strawberry and cedar scent strongest. I could smell her from miles away. I did, that’s how I found her and how I got caught in that damn trap. I was consumed with finding where that heavenly scent originated and wasn’t paying attention. I haven’t been able to be far from her side since the moment I found her. My heart aches for her closeness and my wolf’s protective of her. My pack would laugh at me now if they saw me playing “pet,” but I have to get to know her and find away to reveal mine and now Billy’s secrets without scaring her away.
I can hear her thoughts seeping into my mind, they are washed in exhaustion. She hates arguments; they seem to drain her as much as I seem to relax her. She’s glad I’m here to protect her and she’s hoping she doesn’t see this guy again, but she knows it’s not over. I wish I could shift and pull her into my arms to comfort her, but that would just cause her more stress. Instead I just rub up against her side, knowing that’s the best I can do at this time.
She’s leaning against me now and is knotting her hands in my fur. I can’t wait to have her hands in my hair that way, and mine in hers. I’m brought back out of my fantasy by more of her thoughts. Wait did she just say she’ll marry me? No, she’s just wishing she could find a man who was like me and said she’ll marry him if she does. I have to chuckle at that though. She already has and doesn’t even know it. Though I wish she’ll quit calling me a dog. I can’t really blame her for that; I’ve been the one playing the good “dog.” I need to work up the courage I know I have and show her she already has me.
How do you break it to the woman you love that the “dog” she has come to care for isn’t a dog at all, but a man who can change into a wolf? I could shift right in front of her so she won’t be able to accuse me of being insane, but she’ll probably think she’s lost it instead.
Chapter 18 – Bloom
~ She’ll burn you faster than the Florida sun in July ~
By the time Bonnie comes back from her “talk” and finds me it’s after midnight. I’m drained from the confrontation with Trace, but I don’t want to worry her so I don’t bring it up. She’s clearly having a good time. Her lips are bruised pink from being freshly kissed and the smile hasn’t left her face since she sat down beside me. Knowing she’s ready to relay what’s happened to me but not wanting to brag I go ahead and ask, “So on a scale of 1 to 10, how good of a kisser is he?”
Reviving Bloom (Bloom Daniels Series) Page 6