Oh shoot! Now she felt like a terrible person. “Thank you for this.” She held up her fish. It looked delicious. It smelled even better. It didn’t need herbs or butter or anything.
“It’s a pleasure.”
He was so sweet. “Thank you for the food and the nice things you said.”
“No need to thank me for that. I shouldn’t have teased you in the first place.”
She kind of liked that he had teased her. After hearing the explanation, she kind of liked the nickname too. “You can tease me. You can even call me Curls if you want. I don’t mind.” She pulled a piece of the fish off the bone and blew on it. “I guess I’m a little touchy about my hair. It’s the reason I blow dry it straight. I’ve even had it chemically straightened a good couple of times.”
He frowned but didn’t say anything.
“Kids used to tease me at school. They called me Frizzy Lizzy all through junior high.”
“Kids can be cruel,” Gage said simply. She noticed he wasn’t touching his food.
“It got worse, I became Kinky Edith in college. That’s when I started straightening my hair. I don’t mind a light curl, but this,” she ran a hand through her tight curls, “this I hate.”
Gage shrugged. “You look like you, whether you have curly hair or straight hair. You’re an attractive female, I already told you that. I meant the nickname as a compliment … not in a weird kind of a way though. As friends. I meant it in the best possible way.”
“I know.” She pushed out a breath. “You don’t have to explain. I overreacted. I wanted you to know why I’m a little sensitive. Thank you for saying all that and for making me feel better about something that’s bugged me for so long.”
“I said it because I meant it.”
“I know you did.” She licked her lips. “You can call me Curls if you want to.”
Gage grinned. “I was going to call you Curls whether you liked it or not.”
Somehow, she doubted that.
He winked at her, finally taking a bite of his fish. So, Gage thought she was adorable and sexy, and he was attracted to her. She shouldn't feel happy about this, but she did. She felt all warm inside, and it wasn't just the food that was finally going into her belly. The problem was that Edith would end up being just another hook-up to Gage. Once they got back to reality, it would be over. She knew it as plainly as she knew her own name. Gage had said he wasn't ready for a relationship. That he had commitment problems. His name wasn't even on that stupid shifter list. Edith wanted more. So much more. More than he had to give.
She took another bite, forcing herself to smile. “This is delicious.”
12
The next day …
The embers of the fire crackled as a piece of skin or fat fell onto them. She could smell the fish roasting. “Are you sure it isn’t done yet?”
Gage smiled. “Very sure, unless you want half-cooked food?” He lifted a brow.
“I’ll wait.” She sighed. “This ‘two meals a day’ thing is not for me.” Then she laughed. “I’m more of a ‘six meals a day’ girl. Three square ones with a couple of snacks thrown in-between.”
Gage bit back a grin. “I’m sorry I’m not providing enough for you,” he teased. “If it weren’t for the griffins on our tail …”
Her gaze instantly darkened. “You know I don’t mean it like that. I know—”
"No need to get so testy, I'm joking." He turned the fish, and it sizzled. "Two more minutes and you'll get your food, Curls."
"Sorry. You probably noticed already, but I'm prone to getting hangry."
“Don’t you mean hungry?” He frowned.
She shook her head. “No, I mean hangry, it’s a mix between hungry and angry.”
"Oh, I see." He laughed. "Yep, that's a perfect description of you when you're hungry."
She pretended to scowl. “Under the circumstances, I think I’ve been okay. You haven’t seen me really hangry yet. I work with a guy named Jeff, and he knows only too well. If I’m in a mood, he orders food, or pops into the coffee shop around the corner for fresh cinnamon rolls.” She groaned, making his dick harden. “What I wouldn’t give for a cinnamon roll.”
“Can’t help you there. I’m afraid it’s fish on the menu again. Sorry to disappoint.”
She made the cutest little snort. “What I wouldn’t give for a pastry.” She looked wistful for a moment. “Good news is that fish might be my new favorite food.” She eyed their meal greedily.
“What do you do for work? And who’s Jeff?” There was an edge to his voice he didn’t like.
“Jeff is an asshole,” she muttered. Why did he enjoy hearing her call him that?
Then she sighed. "That's not entirely true. He's been trying to steal some of my business lately. Sure, he's driven and wants to make money. I should be proud since I trained him." Then she looked him head-on. "I'm a real estate agent." She obviously caught the blank look in his eyes because she went on. "I sell houses for a living."
“Oh, that sounds interesting.”
“I enjoy it. Sweetwater is very up and coming. It’s becoming a desirable place to live. The real estate business is booming. I just managed to pick up one of the prime lake-front properties and man oh man is it a beauty. The first show day is on Sunday.” Her eyes widened. “We will be back before then, won’t we?”
Gage nodded, he removed her fish from the heat, placing it on a leaf. “Yes, we will be back before then.” He handed her the food.
“Thank you. This looks so good.” Edith blew on the fish. Then she glanced up. “I’ll tell you a secret …” She looked serious for a moment. “I don’t particularly want to sell this property.”
“Why not? It’s your job isn’t it?”
She peeled a small piece of fish off and popped it into her mouth. Edith closed her eyes and groaned. He was fucked if he didn't feel it in his groin, which tightened uncomfortably. He looked down, trying to concentrate on his own meal and not on the look of rapture on her face as she chewed. Gage was glad he'd brought her that pleasure, only he could think of better ways to do it.
“The Jones property is something special.”
Human females tended to like material things. He waited for her to tell him how big it was and about the gleaming marble floors.
"I love the feel of the place. The view of the lake is second to none. Then there's the porch. I could picture sitting out on that porch, the sun setting over the lake. Kids playing on the lawn."
“I’m sure it’s big and airy.”
She giggled. “Who’s the estate agent. Me or you? Actually, it’s an older property. Not very big. I would knock down a few walls and put in a couple of bigger windows. It has promise and old charm. I’m so afraid someone with big money will come along and level the place. It’s got an old fireplace complete with mantle. The Oregon pine doors are just beautiful.” She shrugged. “I’d change a few things for sure, but I’d keep most of it the way it is.”
That was a surprise. Then again, Curls was a surprising female. He found that aside from wanting to do dirty things to her, he liked her. Liked her very much. “Why don’t you buy the place?”
Edith burst out laughing, slapping a hand over her mouth so that she didn’t spray her food. When she was able, she swallowed. “Yeah right. It’s prime real estate. I don’t have that kind of money. I hope someone who appreciates it will buy it and improve on what’s there instead of taking the whole place to the ground.”
“I’m sure you’ll find the right buyer.”
“It’s my job to get the right price for the sellers. It’s my duty. The Joneses are an old couple. Mister Jones recently retired. They need the money.”
Sexy as hell and sweet too. This female was the whole package. She was going to make someone very happy. “You’re a good person, Curls.”
She smiled at him, the light from the fire brightening her eyes.
Three days later …
There was a crack of a twig. “It’s me, Curls,” Ga
ge warned. “Don’t hit me, please.” He chuckled.
Edith smiled and rolled her eyes, putting the stick down. “I told you not to sneak up on me. It’s not my fault you didn’t listen yesterday.”
“I’m still bruised.”
“You talk shit,” she snickered.
Gage chuckled. It had become a ritual. He would wake her when he left to go foraging, and she would sit outside whatever makeshift shelter they'd built for the night with a stick firmly in her hands until he came back. Gage had told her over and over that no predators would come anywhere near them, but her whole philosophy was rather safe than sorry. She was sticking to it, thank you very much. Hence the noisy approach this evening. She'd cracked him on the shin yesterday. Served him right for sneaking up on her and for his slow reflexes.
“I’ve got a treat for you,” Gage said as he approached.
“Oh! Something I can eat I hope.”
He paused and then cleared his throat. “Yep! Something you can eat.” His voice was all deep and rough. “Hold out your hand.”
She did as he said, and he dropped a handful of something into them. Small, soft and knobby. She sniffed at them, but they didn’t give off much of a scent.
“Try one,” he insisted.
“What are they?”
“Trust me already and try one.” He sounded excited.
She did as he said and moaned as the flavors burst in her mouth. They were juicy and delicious ‒ both tart and sweet at the same time. “That’s so good,” she smiled, talking around her food. She swallowed and threw a couple more into her mouth.
“What did I tell you? They’re wild raspberries.”
“I could eat a truckload of these,” she gushed.
"That would be a terrible idea."
“Why?” she groaned. “I’m sure they’re good for you.”
“Take it from someone who knows.” She could hear he was smiling. “I ate a ton of those things as a young boy and really regretted it. They gave me severe stomach cramps followed by … you don’t want to know … it was ugly.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh at your expense, but I can’t help it.”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t want you to suffer the same fate. I’m sure we’ll find another bush or two en route, just don’t eat too many in one sitting. Besides,” he breathed out through his nose, “I caught us a nice, fat rabbit.”
She clapped her hands. “Sounds delicious.” They’d been living on fish for the last few days. Not that she was complaining.
“Rabbit is one of my favorites,” Gage said.
“I’m sure I’ll be right on board in an hour or two.” It was weird how life changed things. Edith had always been a major animal lover. She donated money to several charities and walked dogs at the local shelter on Monday mornings. If her job wasn’t so demanding, she’d adopt one or two of her own. If you had told her a week ago that she’d be salivating over a sweet, little bunny she’d have laughed and laughed. Possibly even given you a really dirty look. Right now though, it was the complete opposite. “Do you need some help cleaning it or making the fire?”
“Nah, I’ll manage fine. I take it you want to wash up?” he asked, from somewhere to the right of her. She couldn’t see much. Just the odd flit of movement in the darkness.
“Yeah, that would be good. I hate the way the mud feels once it’s dried and flaking off.”
“Itchy?”
“Very,” she huffed.
“Let me get the fire going and I’ll take you to the river.”
“Sounds good.”
Gage did as he said. Then he carried her to the water. Like she said earlier, they had a routine going. She waded in and did what she needed to do. Only, unlike that first time, he didn’t watch. Didn’t eyeball her ass. Or become aroused in any way. He just stayed close, keeping her in his peripheral vision in case anything happened. They’d fallen into something of a friendship. Yet, the sexual tension was still there. Not so much on the surface but simmering just beneath. At least, it was for her. She was doing her best to ignore it, but it wasn’t easy. Especially since he was naked all the time. You would think she would become used to his state of undress, but she hadn’t. He was that gorgeous. That ripped. That sexy.
“These clothes are disgusting,” she said as she dressed.
“What if you washed them and wore the fur?”
“I’m starting to stink, aren’t I?” They had no toiletries. They used ash to brush their teeth. Ash. Argh! No wonder Gage wasn’t looking at her in that way anymore.
“I’m not sure that would work. My thighs might chafe if I rode you in just a fur and my undies.” Rode him. Rode. Now there was a thought.
“We’ll wash your things tomorrow morning when we stop to rest up for the day. Your clothing will, hopefully, dry while we sleep.”
That would mean that both of them would be in close confines, naked, or close to naked in her case. Oh! She liked the sound of that. She shouldn’t. She really shouldn’t, but she did. All cozy, pressed up against one another. Maybe Gage would kiss her. Maybe they would do more than just kiss. She pressed her thighs together. Another casual fling was not what she was looking for.
His nostrils flared and he got this strange look in his eyes. His jaw clenched. Gage looked angry for a second. Not that she could see all that well. She was probably misreading whatever vibe was coming off of him. “Or not,” Gage practically growled. He sounded angry. “Maybe it’s not such a good—”
“Yes! Please can we do that? Wash my stuff?” She brushed a hand over the disgusting material of her shirt. “Otherwise, mud or no mud, those griffins might be able to smell me. My clothes are that ripe.” She giggled.
“I think you’re fine but if it will make you feel more comfortable, we’ll wash them later.”
“Yes, please.”
“Come on, Curls. Let’s get you back and fed. We need to hit the road. We have another long night ahead.”
Edith nodded, warming at his nickname for her. Gage bent down over his knees and she hopped aboard. She was getting good at this too. Riding him. She shook her head at her own stupid joke. Riding him, yeah right, like that was ever going to happen.
13
Later that day …
Someone clamped a hand over her mouth and a strong arm banded firmly around her. Edith was unable to move. She had to let Gage know she was in trouble. Had to do it now! Her eyes were wide. She tried to suck in air through her nose to attempt a scream when she realized it was Gage who held her so tightly. It was Gage with his hand over her mouth. It was his big brown eyes that held hers.
“Shhhh,” he mouthed as he slowly released her.
She nodded once, trying to catch her breath. Her heart raced. His eyes lifted to the branches above their heads. He was clearly listening to something she couldn’t hear, even though she strained her ears. It wasn’t right though. Something was off. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was exactly.
His jaw tensed and his whole body hardened. His eyes narrowed.
“Come.” Again, he mouthed the word instead of actually saying it out loud. They carefully crawled from the shelter. Gage pulled her to her feet. Her still damp clothing was suspended on one of the lower hanging boughs in the clearing, just to the right of the shelter. She wore her underwear. The fur was still on the floor in the shelter. She contemplated fetching it. Edith was practically naked. Wearing just sheer lace underwear, she may as well be.
Gage gave a sharp shake of the head when she tried to pick up her shirt. He gestured to his back, going down on his haunches. It was still daylight. Dapples of sun shone through the trees. Why had Gage woken them up? What was going on?
He had always insisted that predators would stay away. Gage wouldn’t act this way for a predator though. It was them. It had to be. Then she realized what was wrong, the blood drained from her body. It was quiet. Completely silent. No birds singing, no crickets chirping, no squirrels scratching. It was
like all the creatures of the forest had gone into hiding. Her hairs stood on edge.
A shadow darted over them. Quick. There one second, gone the next. If she hadn’t been looking up, she would have missed it. The canopy was so thick and whoever had made that shadow, moved that quickly. Her heart caught in her throat and her skin felt instantly clammy. Edith gripped his shoulders and jumped onto his back. Gage was running before he secured his arms around her thighs. She gripped tighter to ensure she didn’t fall off. The crazy thing was, she was becoming good at this. Surely he should shift? Edith didn’t dare ask. He must know what he was doing.
They moved fast and she held on for dear life. Gage seemed to know exactly where he was going, which was weird considering they’d never been there before. At least, she didn’t think he’d been to this part of the woods. He hadn’t mentioned that they were nearing his village but maybe she had this all wrong.
She glanced up every now and then. Mostly though, she focused on hanging onto Gage. A more apt description was trying not to fall off. Every so often, he would stop, his gaze fixed up ahead. His senses alert. Nostrils flaring. If his ears could twitch they would. Then he would take off running, his focus unwavering. His arms holding her tight. He darted between the trees and the brush, leaping over a boulder or log from time to time.
At one point, he stopped dead, pushing them up against the bark of a large tree. Although his chest heaved, he didn’t make a sound. There it was again, that shadow. Slower this time. It was searching for them. Had picked up on something. Their scent maybe? Footprints perhaps?
Shit!
What would happen to Gage if they were captured? They needed her, but they didn’t have any use for him. He’d be killed, she knew it as surely as she knew her own name. Probably would’ve murdered him if they hadn’t escaped when they did. She shuddered at the thought. Gage rubbed a hand up and down her thigh a couple of times to reassure her.
Unchained (Shifter Night Book 3) Page 10