Chapter 6
Ella stared out at the crashing waves from her cozy balcony. A near full moon hung high, illuminating the glistening water farther than she could see. For most of her life she’d lived in northern Alabama, but getting used to this beach life was easier than she’d imagined. The sound and scent of the ocean was calming, as if she belonged right where she was.
Lauren had asked her over for dinner tonight with her and her mate, Max. Ella loved her cousin, but after the long day she’d had, relaxing by herself with a glass of wine was the only thing she’d wanted. Well, almost the only thing.
Asher had texted her earlier telling her that he couldn’t escort her home so Davis had instead. She didn’t think she needed an escort at all, but she appreciated the gesture even if she was disappointed Asher hadn’t been the one to take her home. She was also bummed they wouldn’t get to go running, but she understood him being busy with work.
At a knock on her front door, she set her mug of hot cocoa on the small table and pushed up from her lounge chair. The condos were well-insulated so she couldn’t scent who it was until she’d reached the front door.
Asher.
Her jaguar started going crazy, clawing at her, telling her to get over her stupid insecurities and jump the man. If only it was that easy.
It could be, the little voice in her head taunted.
She opened the door and fought to catch her breath at the sight of him. He still wore his work slacks, but no tie and his white button down shirt was opened at the top. No jacket either and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He looked exhausted.
Concern filled her. “Come in. Are you hungry?”
He shook his head as he stepped past her. “I ate before I left work. It’s just been a long day.”
She motioned down the hallway that led to her kitchen and living room area. “Come on. I’ve got fresh hot cocoa.”
His eyes lit up as he fell in step with her and headed to the kitchen.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, just work stuff. Before I saw you this morning we discovered a human employee stealing—a bartender. Then we discovered a waitress at a different restaurant was skimming too. She’s a single mom with three kids and…” He sighed, his expression tormented. “I just hate dealing with shit like that.”
“Did you call the cops?” Ella knew that for non-shifter crimes they contacted local law enforcement.
“For the bartender, but not for the waitress. She was actually sorry—ashamed. I could scent it on her and hell, she’s got kids. She was just trying to make ends meet.”
As they reached the end of the hallway, Ella asked, “What did you do?”
He shrugged, looking uncomfortable. Something told her he’d probably given the woman money and hopefully helped her figure something out. But it didn’t seem like Asher was going to answer, so Ella didn’t push as she stepped into the kitchen.
“Did you find out anything about my possible intruder?” she asked as she pulled a mug from one of her cabinets. Looking over her shoulder at him as she reached the stove, she saw that Asher had settled onto one of the stools on the other side of the counter. Her kitchen was open, connecting to the dining room and the big panel of windows overlooking the ocean. But she barely noticed the view behind Asher.
Not when he was watching her with such a raw hunger that it nearly froze her. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
Ella let her hand drop and turned to face him. Her nipples tightened under that intense stare and she knew her reaction was visible because of the way his gaze dropped to her chest. It was quick, but once his eyes met hers again, he appeared even more affected. His eyes looked more wolf.
She wanted nothing more than to give in to what they both wanted. But the more she learned about Asher, the more she realized she wanted to get to know him better first. Not just jump into bed with him again. Unfortunately that little voice in her head kept trying to convince her that once the newness wore off, Asher wouldn’t want her anymore.
God, she hated being this way. Having these stupid insecurities. Even though she tried to play off what her sister and ex had done, it still stung. Deeply. What if there was something wrong with her? What if Asher realized that after she’d completely fallen for him?
Hell, she was well on her way to already hitting that point. He was so likeable and charming and according to her cousin, not a player like she’d assumed. Damn it, Ella needed to make a decision.
“No,” he rumbled out, the word breaking through her convoluted thoughts.
She blinked. “No, what?”
“We didn’t find out anything about your possible intruder. If someone broke into your office from the outside, they were very careful about avoiding detection.” His jaw tightened, his frustration clear.