He glanced away, a tick forming in his cheek. When he looked back, he cleared his throat. “Let’s eat, and then I’ll explain a few things.”
She considered arguing with him but decided against it. She was hungry, for one thing. But she also wasn’t sure she wanted to hear whatever he was going to pile on her plate next.
Ignoring her nerves, she followed him back to his kitchen. Modern in the middle of the rustic décor. Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, like the master bathroom, dark wood cabinets that matched the floors. The large butcher-block table was already set for lunch.
Hunter had covered a tray with lunchmeat and cheeses. Condiments and bread were on the side. “I wasn’t sure what you liked so I figured I’d let you make your own sandwich.”
She lowered herself into the chair he pulled out, and smiled as he pushed her in. “Do you always think of everything?”
“No. Not even close. I’m working my ass off to impress you.” His voice was serious, and his expression matched as he sat at an angle from her.
She reached for two slices of bread. “It seems incongruent that we’ve been so intimate, emotionally and physically, and yet you don’t know what lunch meat I like.”
“It’s weird. We shifters do things out of order. I’m also hoping to get you in my bed before I know your wine and beer preferences.”
She chuckled. “Well, I drank beer with you Friday night.”
He shrugged. “How can I know if you weren’t just being polite?”
She reached for turkey, ham, and swiss cheese while watching him assemble his own sandwich out of pretty much everything on the table. After he took the first bite and swallowed, he said, “There, now we know one more thing about each other. Mayo for you. Mustard for me.”
She was famished, which wasn’t surprising. They had polished off a large portion of the lasagna last night, but she hadn’t eaten since then. While she devoured her sandwich, Hunter finished two of them, an apple, and some chips.
She helped him clean up and then let him lead her to his enormous, inviting sectional. She even let him take her hand, which might have been a mistake but one she couldn’t resist for another moment anyway.
She curled up in the corner, while he sat close to her, turned at an angle so he faced her. He set his elbow on the back of the sofa and leaned his chin on his palm. He held her gaze for a long time.
Eventually she adjusted her frame, wondering what serious information he was about to share. “Spit it out.”
He took a deep breath. “You’re half shifter.”
She stopped breathing, her mouth falling open. That was preposterous.
“Think about it. You have some abilities. Especially your senses. You can scent me the way I scent you. I bet you see and hear better too. Your instincts about people are usually spot on, aren’t they?”
She blinked at him, trying to process this information. “That’s ridiculous,” she muttered.
“Is it?”
She swallowed. “Why would you say that? My mother wasn’t a shifter. So, you’re saying my father was?” Her hands started to tremble. What if he was right? How had she gone twenty-four years without knowing this?
He nodded.
“How do you know?”
“Everyone knows, babe. They can scent it.”
She jerked back and rubbed her forehead. “Other shifters, you mean. Other people in Canyon Springs.” It wasn’t a question. She was just putting it together in her head.
“Yes.”
“There is no way my grandmother knew that.” She slapped her palms on her thighs. “Wait. I have no idea why I’m even accepting your word on this. You have an ulterior motive.”
He pulled in a slow breath. “My only motive is to inform you before we go another step forward in this relationship so that you don’t kick me in the balls when you find out.”
She glanced at his lap. “What makes you think I’m not considering that already?”
He reached out a hand and cupped her face before she had a chance to retreat. “I know this is difficult. I’d do anything to skip into the next week when you more fully grasp everything, but there’s nothing I can do but walk you through the steps and help you understand. Believe me, I’m freaking the hell out worrying.”
“You?” Her voice rose. “You’re worrying? What about me? I’m the one bombarded by information I never asked for.” She leaned out of his touch and jumped up from the couch, feeling a restless need to move. So she paced. “In the span of less than two days my crazy life has flipped upside down. I don’t even know who I am.”
He didn’t get up from the couch. Thank God.
“One minute, I was just a regular human meeting up with her sister to sell a house. The next minute, I’m in an alternate universe with a man I just met who can shift into a wolf. He’s got me under some sort of spell that keeps me from concentrating on anything except fucking and then fucking again.”
Layla didn’t look in Hunter’s direction. She just paced back and forth rapidly, trying to control her anxiety. And failing. “I haven’t seen my sister more than a few minutes since I arrived. She’s probably considering killing me.” Layla stopped pacing to tap her lips with one finger. “Except no. That’s not true because she’s trapped in the same Twilight Zone as me fighting the same force of nature and probably losing the battle as badly as I am.”
Finally, Layla jerked her gaze toward Hunter. “So no. I’m not really capable of swallowing whatever you’re feeding me next. I’m also a shifter?”
He licked his frustratingly sexy lips. “Half. And you must not have been born with the ability to actually shift, or you would have figured that out in puberty.”
A sardonic laugh escaped her lips, and she threw her hands up. “Great. Aren’t I lucky? Imagine what my grandmother would have done if Elena and I had started shifting at twelve years old. So, what? How does this fucking work? You’re saying my attraction to you is largely based on the fact that I’m actually part wolf? Or am I a different animal?”
He shook his head. “No. You’re part wolf. Fate doesn’t unite animals from different species. Bears mate bears. Wolves mate wolves.”
Another absurd laugh escaped her lips. “Great,” she drew out sarcastically. “I feel so much better.”
Suddenly Hunter jumped to his feet and stared at the front of the house. “Fuck.” He wiped his hands on his jeans and rushed past Layla toward the front door.
Her breath caught at his altered demeanor. The air changed around her too.
As he reached the front door, she knew instinctively everything in her world was about to take a new path.
Chapter 16
April 6, 2006
Dear Mabel,
I can’t believe the twins are ten years old today. It seems like just yesterday they were born. The worst part about losing Mom last year is that I don’t have anyone to send me pictures anymore.
I’m sure they are growing up fast. They’re probably several inches taller than last year. I miss getting updates from Mom. I bet they are a ray of sunshine in your life. I hope so. Maybe one day they will come visit me like their mother did. Maybe one day you will come visit me too.