“Positively joyous, I’m sure.” He downed his drink and waved away my offer of a refill. “I did warn you two that I intended to figure out the puzzle you present. This gives me the chance.”
Great. Not.
Better Ashworth than some unknown monkeyface from the council, Belle reasoned.
I somehow managed to avoid choking on my whiskey, and croaked out, “When you do figure us out, be sure to let us know.”
“Oh, I most certainly will.” He gave us both a nod, then spun and headed for the door.
As he left, Aiden walked in.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked. “You’re supposed to be home, resting.”
“I was. I got lonely, and then I got hungry. I figured I’d cure both by picking you up and taking you out to dinner.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are we talking about a date? A proper date?”
“It’s about time, isn’t it?”
“Hell, yeah,” Belle said. “And I just won fifty bucks.”
“So glad we could help boost your bank balance.” Aiden’s voice was dry. He glanced at me; the heat in his eyes had my pulse skipping a beat. “You ready to go?”
“Given I’ve been cleaning all day, and have grime from one end of me to the other, no, I’m not.” I crossed my arms and gave him a mock glare. “Remember that whole conversation we had about giving a girl a little warning?”
“I do, and my reply is much the same.” He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Come along—I have a cab waiting.”
I shook my head but nevertheless placed my hand in his. “Where are we going?”
“There’s an evening jazz concert in the park. I have a blanket, a picnic basket, and champagne waiting—the latter being yours since I’m not allowed alcohol at the moment.” He tugged me close and dropped a kiss on my lips. “I’d much rather go somewhere secluded, but that’s probably not a good idea given the concussion and the orders not to exert myself.”
“And I do want exertion,” I murmured. “When the time comes.”
“Hopefully, time won’t be the only thing coming.”
I laughed, kissed him, and then stepped back. “Let’s go get some culture.”
“Have fun,” Belle called after us. “Don’t do anything I would do. Not for a couple more days, anyway.”
It was safe to say we didn’t. But fun was nevertheless had.
This wolf not only made me feel more alive than any other man I’d ever met, but also infinitely safer.
And that was dangerous. Very dangerous.
But right now, on a glorious summer night, wrapped in the warmth of his arms as we listened to the mellow strains of jazz, I couldn’t have given a damn.