“I suggest you both get back to work.” Turning, the cop walked back to his car. Neither said a word until he got in and drove away.
“What was that about?” Baker asked Reno. “He came into the bakery this morning, eyeing me like I was stealing something.”
“I’m not sure,” Reno said, still staring in the direction the cop had driven away. “But I don’t trust him.” The man turned, glancing down at Baker. “But let me know if he comes back around you.”
Baker numbly nodded. “I really am sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
Reno gave him a half-cocked smile as he bent down and placed a quick kiss on Baker’s lips. “I’m not out to hurt you, Baker. You are my mate. I would rather die than lay a hand on you in anger or insanity. It’s the mating dance that is driving me to act like this.”
“Okay, I’ll try and understand.”
“But I’m still going to stalk you until my coyote is ready to claim you,” he warned before handing Baker his helmet.
Baker swallowed, unsure how to feel right now. Reno was growing on him. He still didn’t like the whole stalker thing, but he understood more now than he did before. He frowned, breathing rapidly as he felt fluttering in his stomach. “And I’m still going to run.”
Reno winked at him as he moved a little closer. “I’m counting on that.”
* * * *
Reno was in the bay washing down one of the engines. He was flustered at the progress of the mating dance. It didn’t seem like he was getting anywhere with Baker. From seeing the dance firsthand in his past, Reno knew what was supposed to be happening, but what he was experiencing was totally different.
Instead of being the coyote on the prowl, he found himself wanting to ask Baker over for dinner just so he could get to know the man a little better. He scratched at his cheek as he thought about what Baker had said to him at lunch. His mate was overwhelmed by the way Reno was acting and that bothered him.
“Are you going to finish the rest of the truck or just polish that one spot all day?”
Reno’s thoughts froze when he heard Chief Callahan behind him. He bit his lip and turned around, facing his boss. “I’m a little distracted.” Crossing his left arm over his right, Reno stood there wondering if Bear was going to press the issue. He liked his boss. He really did. But Reno was not going to be put through the third degree.
Bear leaned on the frame of the door and hitched his thumbs into his pants pockets, his legs slightly bent, at a semi-wide stance. He looked relaxed. “Anything I should be worried about?”
Reno wasn’t sure why he had been worried in the first place. Bear was one of those men who didn’t like to talk about feelings and all that other crap—straight to the point. What needed to be done and what he could do to help, that was all he wanted to know.
“Nothing yet,” he answered honestly. Not only was Reno puzzled over his behavior and deviation from the mating dance, the pesky cop was on his mind as well. “But I’ll send you a memo if things change.”
Bear gave Reno one of his deep laughs. “You do that. Until then, try getting the rest of the truck finished.”
Reno gave a nod as he turned back around. He noticed the one shiny area he had been meticulously wiping. Gah, his mind was not into this right now. It was scattered all over the place.
“Hey,” Travis said as he stuck his head into the bay. “Someone’s here to see you.”
Reno frowned as he tossed his cleaning rag aside and headed for the door. Before he could reach it, Baker appeared. His hands were clasped in front of him as he gazed everywhere but at Reno. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”
Yes he did. The man may be standing there biting his beautiful lip, looking uncertain, but he had intentionally sought Reno out. His coyote was confused, but Reno just smiled. “No intrusion.”
Baker stepped into the bay and Reno watched his mate closely, glad he was here, but wondering what made him come. He didn’t say a word, waiting to see what Baker was going to say.
“I’ve never been in a fire station before.”
“Care for a tour?”
Baker bounced forward on his toes as his eyes seemed to glow. “You can do that?”
Reno wasn’t sure what had gotten into the man. Baker was usually surly and always had a smart-ass comeback. He didn’t trust this new side he was seeing. “Yeah,” he answered slowly. “I can do that.”
Leading the way out of the bay, Reno showed him around. They visited the kitchen, the media area—which was in the same room with just a small divider—then led him down the hallway lined with red metal lockers. “This is the shower room,” he said as he opened the door and showed him where the men took their showers.