Wolf Ways (The Madison Wolves Book 9) (38 page)

Portia was long gone before Harper arrived. I wore one of my few dresses and heels, then took my time with makeup and hair. She rang the bell right at six, and I hurried to the door to get my first look at my date for the night.

I should admit: I found all the wolves stunning, each in her own way. Perhaps that sounds trite, but it was entirely true. I opened the door, and this tall, striking woman stepped in.

Oh, she wasn’t as tall as the enforcers, and she didn’t have the same physical presence they did, but I was reminded by just how impressive they all were.

There were other differences. She wore her hair longer, not long, but longer, done in a loose braid. And her features were just a little bit softer than Portia’s or Elisabeth’s.

But — like them — she had bright eyes. And — like them — I couldn’t help but be awed in her presence.

Unlike Elisabeth, I discovered Harper had a quick smile, which she would lavish upon me throughout the evening.

I decided then and there several things. First, I was definitely attracted. And second, I wanted a very comfortable tone for this date. And so, once she was fully inside, I stepped into her and gave her a warm kiss on her cheek, then held her, standing on my toes so our faces were pressed against each other.

It was quite intentional, quite intentional indeed. I knew the wolves were sensitive to scent, and so I was both marking her and allowing her to mark me.

“Hello, Zoe,” she said.

I hadn’t really paid attention on Sunday, but she had a rich voice. I’m not an aural person; I cannot make sound effects or do impressions. And I couldn’t have compared her voice to someone more famous. But just those two words brushed over me, and I tingled to the gentle caress.

“Hello, Harper.”

“You look nice,” she said.

“You do, too.” I smiled at her.

She was wearing grey trousers and a white blouse; around her neck was a white gold pendant necklace. Her ears were bare, and she didn’t wear any rings.

“Can we sit for a few minutes?” She gestured to the living room. “I’d like to talk to you.”

“Of course.” I led the way. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, no. Just a few minutes, then we can go.” She took a place on the sofa, and I intentionally sat at the middle, near her, not quite touching, but close enough to invite touch from her, if she wanted.

She smiled again, and again, I returned it.

“We don’t have to do this,” she blurted.

“Do what?” I asked, puzzled. “Sit on the couch and talk?”

“No. Go on this date.”

“Are you dumping me before our first date?”

She laughed nervously. “I sort of coerced you.”

“Let me ask a question, and I want an honest answer. Do you want to go out with me or not?”

“Um.”

“Oh.” My features fell.

“No, wait!” she said. “I don’t want to go out if you’re still…”

I interrupted her. “Does it make you nervous that I’m human?”

“It doesn’t make me nervous, but it makes me worried I make you nervous.”

“Do I look nervous?”

She looked me up and down carefully. “No.”

“Do I smell nervous?”

She laughed. “No.”

“We’ve only met once. I was wearing ratty jeans, a ratty jacket, and a helmet hiding all my features. Are you disappointed now that you’ve gotten a closer look?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Do you think I know wolves well enough that I knew what I was doing when I brushed cheeks with you?”

That generated a real laugh. “Perhaps not entirely, but I suspect yes.”

“Harper, do you want to go out with me?”

“Yes.”

“So do I.”

She smiled again.

“But-”

Her smile froze.

“I don’t entirely understand wolves. I don’t know how to judge whether you like to be the one in control.”

“Does it matter?”

“It matters in that it helps me to know how to behave.”

“Why can’t you just be yourself?”

“Well, because I’ve been through some turmoil lately, and I’m not sure who I am right now.”

“Did you and Elisabeth break up because she is too dominant?”

“No.”

“So if I said that yes, I like being in control, that isn’t going to bother you?”

“That depends. Does my opinion count?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then no, I am quite happy with you in control.”

“Good.”

“But I have one more thing to say.”

“Oh dear. This sounds serious.”

“When I’m on a date, I like being touched.”

“Good. I like to touch.”

“We’re going to get along fabulously.”

And then, tentatively, she reached out a hand and brushed the backs of my fingers along my arm. It was a simple touch, a very simple touch, but I closed my eyes and enjoyed it.

My heart did a little jump. It was so strange, but it jumped just a little, just from her caress.

“I have to warn you,” she said. “I’ve never dated a human woman.”

I opened my eyes. “Have you dated human men?”

She nodded. “And wolf women, but not very many. I’m not a successful dater.”

“I find that hard to believe. You’re absolutely stunning, and Michaela tells me you’re one of the nicest people she knows.”

“I tend to pick bad boys. The only good that has ever come out of it is my daughter, Sophie.”

I smiled. “Perhaps I should impress you with my arrest record.”

Her eye grew wide. “Arrest record?”

I grinned. “You did know I’m an environmental activist, didn’t you. A tree hugger. We’re bad, bad people.”

She laughed. “Yes, I believe you should tell me about your arrest record. Perhaps I will swoon.”

I laughed. I was pretty sure if there was swooning to be done, it would be by me.

She stood up then reached forward and helped me to my feet. I could get used to chivalrous wolves. “Do you have a jacket? It will be chilly later.”

“Pashmina by the door,” I said.

* * * *

She took me at my word about the touch, and I felt the familiar touch of a guiding hand on my back. She led me to the door of the ubiquitous, at least for the pack, SUV.

“I know,” she said. “I bought it when Sophie was going on all of Michaela’s outings, and I wanted to be able to go and help out.”

“A good reason for such a vehicle,” I said. “I don’t begrudge a modest SUV. It’s not a Hummer, and you have a good reason for it.”

She handed me in, although I intentionally brushed along her as I climbed in. I felt quite shameful being so physically forward. But it felt nice; I couldn’t explain why. And I wanted to let her know I was comfortable with her.

But then I realized I might be giving a bad impression, and so I grew quiet as she climbed in. We drove quietly, and then she asked, “Is something wrong?”

“I suddenly realized I was being a little trampy.”

“I wouldn’t put it that way. I would say you were telling me in no uncertain terms you are comfortable with me. I’m flattered. Please don’t stop. You’re very good for my ego.”

I laughed.

And so I turned in my seat so I was angled towards her, then reached out, setting my hand on her arm.

We drove like that. She was a careful driver, rarely glancing over at me, but instead keeping her eyes on the road.

“I need to talk to you about the restaurant.”

“Is it a steak house?”

She laughed. “No. Well, maybe. We actually don’t have reservations anywhere. I called around a few places I know. Everywhere has vegetarian dishes, but I’m told that doesn’t mean vegan.”

“Harper, I can find something to eat most places, as long as it’s a full menu. They’ll have a salad.”

“I wanted to take you somewhere nice,” she said. “I try to stick to the pack restaurants, and they tend to be steak houses. But there’s a pack Thai restaurant. It’s not much, but they have an entire section labeled Vegetarian on the menu. Will it be vegan?”

“Yes, probably. Harper, please don’t stress about this. I don’t expect the world to bend to my ways.”

“But…”

“Harper, as long as it has a full menu, I’ll find something. Take me where you most want to go. Really, it’s fine. I’m not worried about the food, anyway. I want to get to know you. Take me where we can talk.”

“All right,” she said.

After that, we made small talk, just growing more comfortable with each other. I enjoyed her voice so much, I could listen to her for hours.

Eventually we came to a stop in front of a small, Thai restaurant.

“It’s not fancy,” she said. “But it’s quiet and the food is good.”

“It’s perfect, Harper.”

We climbed from her car, and then her guiding hand was on my back again. I walked as close to her as I could and tried to match her gait, but her legs were so much longer than mine that I couldn’t.

But then she changed her steps to match mine.

Neither of us said a thing, but I leaned against her. She was warm and felt good.

“This is kind of fast,” she said.

“Do I need to back off?”

“I hope you don’t,” she replied. “But I’m left wondering who was in charge of your relationship with Elisabeth.”

I laughed. “She was. And you are. I’m just going with your hand on my back.”

Inside, we were readily seated. She was right. The restaurant was small and not fancy, but it was cozy and quiet. We were led to a square table with places for four, and we sat at adjacent sides with Harper on my right. I set my hand on the table where she could take it if she wanted to.

She didn’t, but she did edge her chair closer to mine, and then she caressed my arm while we reviewed the menu.

That was okay, too.

A server came by and took drink orders; we each ordered tea. When the tea arrived, we ordered our dinners. And then we were alone.

“Did you know? You’re quite the talk of the pack.”

“Oh?”

“New members aren’t common. Human members are very uncommon, especially unmated humans.”

“I was dating Elisabeth.”

“Barely unless it was clandestine. No one knows why she told you about us so quickly.”

“Oh. She didn’t.” I paused, not sure what was safe to say. “I sort of assumed everyone knew, but I have discovered that’s not the case.”

“If it’s not common knowledge, then it’s because no one who knows is talking. And that probably means you’re not supposed to tell, either.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. But you’re still the talk. A human vegan with the werewolves.”

“I imagine that’s quite a joke.”

“Yes. Not that you’re a joke, but the combination is.”

“I’ve noticed the irony. What else do you hear about me?”

“Well, I guess I knew you were some sort of tree hugger. But we’re all tree huggers in our own way so that’s not as noteworthy.”

“I suppose not.”

“I didn’t know what you meant when you mentioned your sentence.”

“You played it cool.”

“I asked Michaela later.”

“How much did she tell you?”

“She said you were a complete reprobate, so I knew you were the woman for me.” I laughed. “Seriously she told me you were amazing, but if I wanted to know, I had to ask you.”

“So she didn’t tell you I was serving a sentence for multiple counts of insubordination and one count of reckless driving?”

Harper’s eyes grew wide. “No.”

“Suddenly afraid?”

“Not yet.”

“I suppose she didn’t tell you I slugged Elisabeth?”

“You what?” she blurted.

“That’s probably not as bad as running Monique Simpson over with my car.”

“Oh my god.”

“She didn’t tell you I threatened her life, either, I suppose.”

“You didn’t!”

I smiled. “You’re right. I didn’t. That’s probably why she didn’t accuse me of it.”

Harper looked at me carefully. “Now I don’t know what to believe.”

“I didn’t run Monique over, either.”

“Wait,” she said. “Don’t tell me. You didn’t slug Elisabeth, either.” I shook my head. “And your sentence — it’s really for littering.”

“Oh no,” I said. “The sentence is for insubordination and reckless driving.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“I wanted to see if you were gullible.” I grinned. “Apparently you are.”

“She didn’t tell me you had an evil sense of humor, either.”

“Oh, she should have warned you about that.” I sighed. “The real story is fairly dull. You wouldn’t be interested.”