Romance Rules for Werewolves (Charming Cove, #3)(18)
Connect, protect.
The instinct surged through me, one I’d never felt before.
She stopped by the table, grinning widely as she put the beer down in front of me. Her golden hair gleamed in the light, shorter than it had been last night. The soft curls made my fingertips itch to touch, and I clenched my fist.
“What’s that for?” I looked between the beer and her, careful to keep the scowl on my face. It wasn’t as easy as it normally was.
“For you.” She smiled, a damned ray of sunshine. And like a ray of sunshine, she warmed me. Which was irritating.
“Why?”
“Because you look grumpy, and I want to turn that frown upside down.”
I groaned. “Too much.”
She grinned. “I know. It was over the top, but I thought it would annoy you, and I couldn’t help but try.”
“Try to annoy me?”
“Yep.” She laughed lightly. “You’re just so grumpy. I could try to cheer you up, but…nah. So I’ll go with annoying you.” She took the seat next to me, her lovely lavender and honeysuckle scent washing over me.
“Well, it’s working.”
“Good.” She sipped her beer. “Why are you sitting over here by yourself, just glowering?”
“I’m not glowering.” I took a drink of the beer she’d brought me.
“Oh, you definitely are. You’re the grumpiest werewolf I’ve ever met.”
“You’ve met a lot of werewolves?”
“No, actually. I suppose I can revise that statement to say you’re the grumpiest man. It’s an even broader category.”
“Then you should avoid me.”
“Can’t, unfortunately, since we live together.”
“We live near each other, not together.”
“Very near.” She grinned. “But that would change more quickly if you’d help me fix up my house. I’d be out of your hair much sooner.”
“No.”
“Oh, come on. Take a break from your boat hobby and help a girl out.”
“It’s not a hobby.” Her words shouldn’t have annoyed me, but they did. “It’s a business.” Albeit one that I didn’t need the money from. But my reputation as a reliable craftsman who delivered on time was important to me, and that was more than a hobby.
“Sorry.” She seemed genuinely contrite. “The bartender said it was a hobby. I misunderstood.”
“It’s fine.” I sighed. “So, you’re not having a lot of luck finding help with the house?”
“No. The locals want nothing to do with it. Aren’t you local?”
“No. Moved here a year ago.”
“A newcomer like me.” She smiled, her luminous gray eyes twinkling. “All the more reason to help me.”
“Why didn’t you ask the plumbers for help?”
“How do you know I didn’t?”
I tapped my ear. “Wolf hearing.”
“Damn. Were you listening to everything I said?”
“Can’t help it. I try to filter it out.” I found that I wanted to annoy her as much as she annoyed me. “Didn’t bother, though.”
Although I should have. It had been irritating to hear the flirting going on while they’d played darts, and I shouldn’t have been irritated by that. She could do whatever she wanted. Hell, it would be better if she got a boyfriend and moved out of my house.
The idea of it made my wolf growl, and I told the beast to settle down. He listened, but barely.
“For your information, I was trying to make them like me before I ask for the help,” she said. “No one in town wants to work on the place, so I’m going to need favors instead of just hiring people.”
“Good plan. A bit mercenary, though.”
“Maybe, but it’s a mild form of mercenariness.”
“Mercenariness? Is that a word?” Oh hell, was I flirting with her? I never flirted.
She smiled at me. “It is now. I suppose I could say Machiavellian, but I prefer my version.”
I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips, and it irritated the hell out of me.
Time to go. I drained the last of the beer, then stood. “Thanks for the drink, but it’s past my bedtime.”
I turned and left the pub, feeling her gaze follow me the entire way out.
Chapter
Nine
Isobel
The next morning, I awoke to the same lovely breeze and sound of the waves as the morning before. The bed was so comfortable that I could have snuggled there for hours, but that wasn’t on the agenda.
Today, I was going to figure out what was wrong with the house so that I could get to work on it. With any luck, I’d fix it and be able to convince some local contractors to take on the job.
I sat up and climbed out of bed, disturbing Poa, who lay at the foot. She gave me an annoyed meow, then settled back and began snoring again.
“I’m going to meet Emma today at the house. She might have a familiar for you to meet.”
Poa perked up, interest on her face.
“We leave in thirty,” I said, heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I had a feeling I’d be getting dirty today, so I’d save my shower for tonight.