Holy crap. She almost threw up in her mouth. “Umm, the band is starting, we should go.”
Her neighbor turned her attention back to Gen. “While you were gone, I had a tree service analyze that pine and they agreed it was rotten. I’ll be sending you the report.”
She tamped down on her impatience. “The tree is healthy, and on my property. I’m sorry, but I won’t be cutting it down.”
Mrs. Blackfire pointed one bony finger toward her and shook with mad glee. “You’ve brought scandal on our town, you know. Reporters crawling around, asking a bunch of questions. You running out on that nice doctor. Heard you quit the hospital, too, and are working at that ridiculous matchmaking agency. In my day, we did what needed to be done. Lived with our choices. You’re weak, girl. You quit on everything that mattered.”
The words sliced and shredded tender flesh. Deep down, wasn’t that what she was afraid of? She’d tried so hard to do everything right, but instead made a mess of things. She destroyed everything she touched and turned her back on her careful choices. “Maybe you’re right,” she whispered.
“I disagree.”
The woman’s head whipped around at Wolfe’s voice. “What did you say?”
Wolfe stepped between them. “I said I disagree. People who don’t make a change in their life, who are too afraid of the unknown, are cowards. They watch life pass them by, getting meaner by the day because everyone seems to be happier than they are. You think it’s easy to walk away on your wedding day when you know you’re making a huge mistake? How about going to medical school for years and having the balls to take a break in order to be sure it’s what you want?”
Mrs. Blackfire’s mouth gaped.
Wolfe leaned in real close.
“I bet you would’ve stayed and been miserable. Does that make you strong? Smart? Or just unhappy?”
The elderly woman made a low squeak of rage. Her cheeks were mottled a dull red. “How dare you? You’re a guttersnipe. I’ll be watching every move you make, young man.”
Wolfe grinned and stepped back. “I’ll be looking forward to it. Have a pleasant evening, Mrs. Blackfire.”
He turned and led Gen across the lawn. Shadows fell, and the lead singer stepped up to the microphone to introduce their first song. Wolfe kept walking until he was at the back of the field near the fence, away from the crowd. Leaning against a gnarled pine tree, he crossed his ankles and snagged her fingers within his. She propped her back against the rough bark next to him, enjoying the warm strength of his grip.
“You didn’t have to say those things,” she finally said. Man, he smelled good. Like freshly washed laundry and sunshine. “She’s just a cranky, mean old lady.”
“I kinda liked her.”
“What? No one likes her! She’s evil. Wicked-witch evil. She’d probably steal Toto and take him to be destroyed. Probably right about me though.”
“She’s been hurt badly and never recovered.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugged. “I can tell. But she’s wrong about you. And I meant every word I said.” He turned his head and snagged her gaze. “Every. Damn. Word. You are the bravest woman I know. It’s the people who think they know the answers you need to be wary of.”
His eyes were so wickedly blue and deep she could lose herself. “You mean like I used to be?” Gen joked. “I used to be so sure of myself.”
“So did I.”
Something fierce and primal shook through her. Electricity pulsed between them, and suddenly Gen wanted his mouth over hers, all lips and tongue and teeth, until he possessed and claimed every part of her. She ached to open her thighs and take him deep. Dig her nails into his skin. Mark him. Surrender. Fuck. What was happening to her? Her heart hammered. “Wolfe.”
His name broke from her lips just as the drummer onstage went into a loud solo. People cheered him on and whistled, and the spell was broken. The tension eased, and she let out a shaky breath. Their relationship was changing, and she didn’t know what to do. A strange sexual chemistry buzzed and grew stronger. Maybe sharing intimate space was messing up her head. After all, seeing someone every day for meals, for TV, and in their sleepwear forced a certain closeness. Add a life crisis and general sexual frustration and—boom!—a cocktail of a mess.
Gen swore she’d keep it together. No way was she going to ruin her friendship because her body was weak.
No. Way.
Her upcoming date couldn’t come fast enough.
HE NEEDED TO GET laid.
Bad.
Wolfe dropped her hand and eased away. Her body was so soft and womanly. She’d finally put weight back on and lost the sharp edges stress had lent her. Those killer curves were back, and his fingers itched to grab and stroke and pleasure.