The idea was tempting. Bas's lodge was a far cry from Oakwood. It was serene, peaceful beauty. But, it wasn't home. I couldn't let my romantic fantasy cloud my reality. I had to job to do. I had school. Without it, I'd never get out on my own for good.
"I have to go back. I've got class in a few hours. I have to study. Exams are next week. And, I have my internship." The second I mentioned that last part, I regretted it. Bas's shoulders stiffened and the easy air between us seemed to thicken.
Dale Thorp and Congressman Foster. I had a stack of research sitting on my desk and Dale's hidden agenda against the man standing in front of me. Knowing what I knew felt like a betrayal. Though I didn't understand the means he would use, I knew Foster meant to take something away from Bas. Even being here was a major conflict of interest. And then there was the other piece of it. Everything Cal said last night and Thorp insinuated settled over my shoulders like a yoke.
Ice raced through my veins and sent tingling fear down my spine. Was this all a lie? Had I played straight into Dale Thorp's plans?
Bas turned, his face went white as he came to me and gripped my shoulders. He leaned in close, his forehead just an inch from mine. "What I feel for you, what I want from you has nothing to do with Dale Thorp. It's real, it's pure, and it's the truth."
Still, I tried to pull away. "Can you read my mind even?"
Bas didn't drop his hands from my shoulders. "No. But I feel your heart. And it means you can feel mine. Listen close and tell me if you think I'm using you."
The air around me grew still. It was as if the world shrank to nothing but Bas's eyes as they stared into mine. I felt it. Just a flutter at first. Then, sure and strong, beating in time with mine. Bas's heart. Bas's soul. He bared it for me, and I knew the truth. My knees went weak from the power of it. Still, it scared me.
"I need to breathe," I said, gasping. Bas let me go. The pulse in my ears receded.
"I know," he said. "It's okay. I told you, all of this is a lot. You're not ready for it."
And I wasn't. Though the pull of him was so strong, I needed to be cautious. I couldn't be like my mother. This was different, I knew. And yet, parts of it felt the same. She tried to hitch her wagon to whatever guy paid attention to her time and again. I couldn't be that girl. Bas knew to give me time and space. He grabbed my purse from one of the couches near the hearth and gently looped it over my shoulder as I stood there trying to catch my breath.
"I've got to head out of town for a couple of days," he said. "But, I'd very much like to see you when I get back."
I nodded, open mouthed. Then, Bas held the door for me like a perfect gentleman. I liked this side of him too. And yet, my body still called for the wolf inside of him.
Chapter Twelve
For the first few days after I left Bas, he was all I could think about. When I slept, I woke trembling with need. I dreamed he watched me, his pale blue wolf eyes hovering just out of my reach. I checked my phone more times than I wanted to admit, but he didn't call or text. I busied myself with the mountain of schoolwork I had ahead of exams. Kendra and Darby asked me a thousand questions; Bas's dramatic alley rescue outside the Stacks drew witnesses. Cal steered clear, and that was a blessing. But, I wasn't ready to explain anything about what happened to my friends. Hell, I wasn't sure I could explain it to myself.
And then there was Congressman Foster. Things stayed calm throughout the week with him and Thorp still in D.C. for an important vote. But, about six days after I last saw Bas, they came back. While they'd been away, Dale sent me a slew of new projects that had nothing to do with eminent domain or Wild Lake lands. I had started to think maybe Foster had moved on to other projects. The morning after their return, Dale called me into his office, and everything started to fall apart.
I gave him what I had so far. He had me sit in his office while he read my ten-page memo. He thumbed through the pages, a permanent scowl on his face as he inhaled sharply as if he were going to say something, then licked his thumb to turn another page and settled back into his chair.
"You're pulling punches," he finally said. "That's not what I hired you to do."
"I'm what? You asked for a memo. Not an advocacy piece. Or am I mistaken?" I probably should have tried that softer. But, something felt different now that I was alone in a room with him again. Though he'd done nothing overt to bring it on, every cell in my body felt hostile toward him.
Dale was smooth. Sometimes, it was hard to remember he was a werewolf too. He couldn't be more physically different from Bas. Where Bas was hard lines and chiseled strength, Dale was thick and lumbering. But as he moved out from behind his desk and sat on the edge of it, hovering over me, the hairs rose on the back of my neck, sensing primal threat and coiled power.
"You've been with him."
It was a statement, not a question. I tried to take deep, measured breaths. Six days. It had been six days since I'd seen Bas. Surely, Thorp couldn't still sense him on me. I wanted to tell him I didn't know what he was talking about. But, it would be a lie. Instead, I stayed silent and stared straight ahead.
"That's good. I like that. Mr. Lanier is very important to the senator. Networking will only help you. I know you're interested in furthering your career. That's smart, Miss Winslow. Well done."
Sweat began to bead at the base of my neck. Dale's breath blew hot against my temple as he leaned even closer.
"Would you like me to go over my research again? See if there's any angle I've missed?"
"Do you think you've missed any angles?"
I looked at him, keeping my gaze just as hard as his, refusing to blink. "No. I haven't. But, you seem to think so."
He laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You know what I am, Abby. I've never tried to hide or pretend. And you know what Lanier is. Or, if you didn't before you definitely know now. He's a big deal around here. No denying that. Powerful. Persuasive. I can see why you're drawn to him."
Still, I kept my gaze locked with his in an unspoken battle of wills.
"And I like you, Abby. A lot more than I thought I would. You've surprised me. So, in light of that, I'm going to do you a favor. I'm going to give you some advice that you'd be smart to take. Remember what I said. Sebastian Lanier is a big deal around here. Do you understand? Just here. But, his influence outside of Wild Lake is tenuous at best. There's a bigger world out there. Wild Lake is the backwoods as far as real power players are concerned. Like one big trailer park."
When he emphasized the last two words, heat speared through me. I wanted to scratch his eyes out or slap him to wipe the smirk off his face. It was a dig. Dale knew who I was and what I came from. He couldn't hurt me with it in the way he wanted. But, it didn't mean I had to like someone trying to throw it in my face.
"So. Have your fun with Lanier. You wouldn't be the first. You won't be the last. Take what you can from him. But, be smart and don't forget where your bread is buttered. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"You like toast?" I raised a brow.
"Cute. Cute is good. But don't be too cute. You know exactly what I'm saying. But, in case you don't, let me make it simple. Your loyalties better stay with me."
I let out a breath. "You mean the congressman."
His touch burned like acid when he placed a finger under my chin. "The congressman is where he is because I want him there. And you are where you are because I want you there. You and Bas both need to remember that. I can help you. Or I can ruin you. If you don't believe me, think about what happened to the last intern who sat in that chair. Mr. Morris, I think his name was. Lud? How's he doing in school these days?"
He knew full well the answer to that question. This was not the second time someone insinuated that Lud's breakdown and departure from school had something to do with this office. A smug half-smile settled on Dale's face. "That's right. You don't need to know the why of it, but let Mr. Morris be a lesson to you about what happens when things don't go according to my plans. Mr. Morris tried to take sensitive knowledge away from this office. It didn't work out well for him. Then he realized he wasn't cut out for a career in the legal field. He's managing a gas station last I heard. So remember, Bas can't protect you from everything."