“Yes.”
“And you could identify that from me jogging past you on the other side of the street?”
“Yes.” He smiled indulgently. “Without a doubt. Everyone puts off their own pheromones. Yours are imbedded permanently in my mind.”
“I was sweaty and gross,” she pointed out.
He continued to smile as if his expression was permanently affixed on his face, and he was beyond certain she was a sure thing. “You couldn’t be gross if you ran a marathon in the mud.”
She scrunched up her face. “Trust me. I can be gross.”
He shrugged. “Looking forward to seeing this side of you then.”
She lifted a brow. “Who says I’m going to be interested in seeing you again?”
“Me.”
“So cocky.”
“Can’t deny it.” He pulled her torso closer to his, allowing her to feel his erection against her belly. His expression turned serious. “I would never pressure you though. Never. I promise. You’ll come to my bed on your own.”
She shivered. Yikes. He was so confident. In addition, her damn pussy was wet, and since she wasn’t wearing panties, her arousal was gathering between her legs. “Damn. You don’t mince words.”
“Nope. Why bother? You’re into me. I’m into you. So, we’ll enjoy the dance, literally and figuratively. When you’re ready, I’m going to rock your world.”
“Why don’t I doubt that,” she murmured. She wasn’t even opposed to his suggestion. Half of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and leave this bar with him right this second.
She remembered Elena and jerked her gaze back toward her sister. Hunter’s friend Caleb was sitting on a stool, and he was leaning into Elena, her hand clasped in his. “Wow.”
“What?” Hunter asked.
“I don’t think Elena has ever let a man she just met get that fresh with her.”
He chuckled. “You really don’t know much about shifters do you?”
She shook her head. “Only the nonsense my grandmother filled my brain with.”
“Your grandmother?”
“Yes. Her name was Mabel. She raised us. She also took every opportunity to grumble about shifters.” Layla winced. “Don’t worry. Elena and I aren’t prejudice against anyone on the planet, but we were subjected to her bigotry often.”
“Sorry to hear that. Did she have an uncomfortable experience with a shifter or something?”
“No. She was pissed because her sister married one. Her sister lived here in Canyon Springs. Marge Keller. That’s why Elena and I are in town. She left her house to us.”
His eyes widened. “Ahhh. You’re Marge’s great nieces.”
“Yes. We came here to sell her house and wrap up her affairs.”
He frowned. “You plan to sell it? Why?”
She cocked her head to one side. “Why wouldn’t we? We never knew Aunt Marge. Never met her. She and her sister never spoke after Marge met her husband and stayed in Canyon Springs. Elena and I don’t know a single person here. Marge’s house and her belongings are foreign to us.”
“You know me,” he pointed out.
She giggled. “Okay. That’s kind of a stretch. I mean you’re a great dancer and sexy and intriguing and interesting, but I’m thinking a few dances and twenty minutes of conversation doesn’t quite constitute a sufficient reason to stay in town,” she teased. Her brain fogged a bit while she spoke, though, making her wonder why the hell not? Craziness.
“I’m sexy?” He gave her that half grin again.
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t act like you didn’t know it.” She glanced around the room again. “I’d guess that’s why everyone is staring at us. They’re actually pissed at me for stealing your attention, aren’t they? I bet you usually dance with all these women.” She stopped herself just short of suggesting he’d probably slept with several of them too.
His chest vibrated against her again. Apparently he found her humorous. “No one is pissed. Do they look pissed? Look closer.”
She stared at him for a few moments before taking on his challenge and letting her gaze wander slowly around the room. He was right. Many people were watching her watch them, but most of them were either smiling or smirking. It was kinda strange. As if they were slapping him figuratively on the back for making this conquest.
Layla started to pull away. The entire situation suddenly overwhelmed her.
Just then, the music changed to a slow song, and Hunter slid his hands to hers and lifted them to rest on his shoulders, misreading her retreat. “Don’t let them intimidate you, Layla.” God, she loved the sound of her name on his lips. “Ignore them.”
His hands both caressed her back, one of them smoothing up to her neck, his fingers tangling in her curls. He slid his fingers through her hair once and settled his hand at the base of her neck again. “Your hair is so soft,” he whispered. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen hair quite this color before. It’s so light, like spun gold.”
She didn’t respond. Mostly she just enjoyed the timbre of his voice. It was mesmerizing. Almost hypnotizing.
About ten red flags came up at that thought and she stiffened, pulling back from his heat.
“You okay?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I need some air. Some space.”
“Okay. Let’s go outside.” Before she could respond, he had her hand in his and was leading her through the crowd toward the entrance. More red flags. No matter how intrigued she was, she knew this was a bad idea. She didn’t know this man well enough to put herself in a compromised situation. Leaving the building would definitely do that.
Besides, Elena was still at the table. Layla twisted her neck and rose onto her toes to spot her sister. She was still in the same spot. Still leaning into Caleb. She had a drink in front of her. Probably Sprite, knowing Elena.
Layla felt a bit of panic and tugged her hand free before they reached the entrance. Hunter spun around, his expression concerned.
“Maybe we should get a drink instead,” she suggested.
“Okay. If that’s what you want.” He took a deep breath and rocked back on his heels, tucking his fingers in his front jeans pockets.
She felt drawn to him like a magnet, the loss of his touch messing with her mind. She couldn’t resist reaching up and cupping his face. The fear she’d conjured in her mind moments ago disappeared. Hunter had no ill intentions. He was a smoking hot good guy. She needed to chill. Get a drink. Maybe even step outside with him.
His eyes closed, and he tipped his face into her palm and sighed. If she wasn’t mistaken, he’d been just as lost from their disconnection. It made no sense. But then again, nothing that had happened since she’d arrived in Canyon Springs had made sense. “Come on,” she murmured.
Her stomach grumbled as she led the way this time, reminding her they hadn’t eaten dinner. Hunter and Caleb had approached them the moment they’d taken their seats. Food had been forgotten.
When she reached the crowded bar, Hunter flattened his body against her back, set his hands on her shoulders, and leaned down to speak in her ear again. Every time he did that, she melted a little more. “You’re hungry.”