Captivated By The She-Wolf. Kristal Hollis

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СКАЧАТЬ it to her. “This should help you shake that chill.”

      If only it could.

      “Mmm.” She inhaled the fresh, robust aroma before taking a drink. Her body warmed, but it had more to do with the heat Bodie radiated as he scooted close enough for their hips and legs to touch. She shouldn’t allow him the liberty, but strangely she found his closeness comforting.

      “Is the home team any good?” he asked.

      “I suppose. I don’t really follow football.”

      “What do you follow?”

      “My instincts.”

      “Yeah?” Humor sparkled in his eyes. “What do your instincts say about me?”

      She swallowed another mouthful of coffee. “That you’re trouble.”

      “Me?” Bodie’s deep, rich laugh rolled through her body like the rumble of distant thunder. “I’m a boy scout.”

      “I have serious doubts about that.”

      “I like your smile.” His gaze turned molten like liquid gold. “You should wear it more often.”

      She looked away. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

      “Oh, no.” He playfully bumped her. “Don’t try to hide it from me now. I’ll consider it a challenge to find it again.”

      Ronni doubted it would be much of one. She found his playfulness more charming than she should, considering the trouble she could soon be facing.

      The crowd roared around them.

      “First touchdown of the night for the home team.” Bodie playfully bumped her shoulder. “We’re off to a great start.”

      “Don’t get cocky,” Ronni said. “The night is young.”

      “And chilly.” Bodie unrolled his sleeves.

      Ronni gulped the last of her coffee and handed him the empty cup so he could have a hot drink.

      “Your blanket looks toasty. Do you mind?”

      “Tit for tat, huh?”

      “Something like that.” Smiling, he took the blanket from her lap and wrapped it around their shoulders.

      The simple comfort of a warm male body caused her heart to ache. This was so not the time to explore the possibilities.

      Dammit, Jeb.

      He hadn’t shown up yet and already he was screwing up her life.

      * * *

      Laughter rose above the comfortable buzz of patrons inside Dino’s Pizzeria. Willow’s soft, lilting tone was among them. Bodie couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her so happy, carefree. Maybe never.

      “They are good kids, right?” he said.

      Ronni’s gaze landed on him, only the third time since they’d arrived. “Of course they are.” She gave him a questioning look.

      “Willow has had a rough time with mean ones. I don’t want her getting hurt.”

      “Alex and Lucas will look after her.”

      “She seems to be having a good time.”

      “Hmm.” The opening door pulled Ronni’s attention again.

      “Are you having a good time?” During the football game, he’d sensed Ronni’s tension and assumed she was nervous because of his attention. Now he was sure it was something else.

      “Yes.” She smiled, a perfectly pleasant plastic smile.

      “What’s wrong?” Bodie decided to tackle the problem head-on.

      “I told you earlier, I wouldn’t be good company.”

      “Your company is fine, Ronni. But you jump every time the door opens. Who are you afraid of?”

      The warmth drained from her eyes and her smile turned into a brittle frown. “It’s nothing.”

      Bodie didn’t push. He wanted Ronni to confide in him but not at the risk of alienating her. He placed his hand over her fingers worrying the paper napkin beside her plate. “If you need someone to talk to...” He shrugged.

      “Thanks, but—”

      “Ah, don’t shoot me down. I’m hoping to strike a bargain.” He offered her a smile.

      Her reddish-blonde brows arched.

      “My wife died in childbirth, so it’s always been me and Willow, and my mom.” A dull ache rose in his chest. Though he hadn’t loved Layla, he had planned a future with her and sometimes he missed what could’ve been.

      “My mother has helped me raise Willow, but some of her ideas are a bit old-fashioned. It would be nice to have someone to talk to.” Bodie looked over at Willow, her head bent toward Lucas as he showed her something on his phone. When his gaze returned to Ronni, her eyes had warmed and her expression softened.

      Just the response he was aiming for.

      “It’s hard being a single parent.” She blinked away the water in her eyes, then squeezed his fingers. “I lost my husband over a year ago.”

      “Is this your first date since his death?”

      Surprise registered in her expression. “This isn’t a date.”

      “What is it?” Bodie leaned forward, arms resting on the table. He couldn’t stop the smile wavering on his lips as a myriad of emotions flickered across Ronni’s face.

      “We’re chaperoning them,” she said, more confidently than the doubt that flashed in her eyes suggested.

      “Maybe. Willow isn’t sixteen yet. And considering the rough time she’s had with fake friends, I intend to keep a close eye on her. But Alex—” Bodie glanced at the tall, blond young man with an easy smile and manner. There was a subtle prowess that suggested when he entered adulthood, he would be a force to be reckoned with—if he wasn’t already.

      “Has been through a lot,” Ronni said defensively.

      The fierce look in her eyes said she was in protective mama mode and would likely use those pretty white teeth to shred someone to pieces if she felt her son was threatened.

      Unbidden affection rushed through Bodie. He could really use an ally as strong as Ronni. All he needed to do was earn her trust and the best way to do that was help her deal with whatever had her so worried. But she was too defensive tonight. He’d have to broach it another time.

      “I was nineteen when I lost my father.” A bitter lump grew in Bodie’s throat. He sucked down his entire glass of water, trying to dilute it.

      “Losing СКАЧАТЬ