Chapter 15
As it turned out, I was wrong. The trip to the hardware store didn’t turn into an endless discussion of what dowels would best fit the holes Dom needed stuffed. When this handyman werewolf set out to buy handyman things, he knew exactly what he wanted.
He basically gave Evan his shopping list. Evan threw in a suggestion here and there, but that was it. There wasn’t any kind of shmoozing where I was left to stand around, not knowing what to do with myself.
When I tried taking a step toward a display of crown molding samples that I thought looked pretty, I quickly discovered that Dom’s arm around my waist became a hold I couldn’t slip.
Not that the crown molding really did it for me, but still.
I eyed the ginger wolf as Evan typed an order into his computer for some kind of light socket you could put in the ground.
“Excuse me,” I said.
“You’re excused, Little Red. But no wandering around, hmm? You tell me what you want to look at, and I’ll come with you.”
I had no idea why the fuck my face pinked from that, but it did, and of course Evan had to look up from his computer at that moment, his expression a mix of surprise and longing.
Or maybe not longing, but wanting what I had: an overbearing ginger werewolf at my side who wouldn’t let me get my crown molding fix.
Yeah, that’d make all the gay guys so jealous.
“I just want my latte.” I sounded contrary, but when Dom’s warm hand moved in slow circles over my back, it made me relax instead.
He looked very pleased with himself while he confirmed the model for Evan, and he pulled me against him when he leaned over the counter to get a look at Evan’s screen, or pretend to look at Evan’s screen. Huh.
I frowned and contemplated throwing a small- to medium-sized tantrum, but I was too exhausted to do that.
I was still feeling feverish, and the stupid fall had really taken it out of me.
In addition, his over-the-top treatment made me feel like the center of attention.
Yes, the topic of conversation was how wide the socket for the light fixtures should be, but Dom was clearly paying more attention to me.
His touch was too nice for my brain to really get into tantrum mode though. Maybe later.
With the order finally placed, Evan walked us out of the hardware store carrying a large box of stuff he put in the bed of the truck while Dom put me in the passenger seat.
“You do know you don’t have to fucking hold the door for me like I’m some old lady?” I crossed my arms in front of me. The stupidly bulky jacket made the gesture fall flat. I likely looked like an old lady who needed all the layers to stay warm in summer.
I heard Evan cough to hide a laugh, and Dom grinned at me. “You’ll get used to it, Little Red. Don’t forget that seat belt, okay?”
“Oh, fucking hell.” I pulled the seat belt across my chest until it clicked home. The twinkle in Dom’s eyes suited him, but I wasn’t going to keep doing what he told me just because of that. That charm of his would fade.
“Do you want me to drive the delivery up to your place once it gets here?” Evan asked from the other end of the truck.
Dom tore his eyes away from me. “I do appreciate the offer, but we all don’t care for visitors right now. Just send an email or text me, and I’ll come get it. Likely as not, I’ll be owing Marcus here a few more chai lattes before long.”
My mouth fell open, but I wasn’t able to make words.
Evan nodded sagely and gave me a final look. “You’re lucky. I mean it. They’re good guys. Get Lincoln to learn how to make those latte drinks for you. From what I hear he’s the one who pays the most attention to detail.”
Dom huffed. “Really, Ev? Turning on me?” He shook his head. “After everything we’ve been through with finding the right solar panels for the house.”
Evan chuckled. “As I recall, Lincoln insisted you get those when you said you had to have under-floor heating.”
Dom turned to me. “Marcus, honey, I can’t bring you here ever again. That mouth of his is too loose.”
I leaned forward so I could face Evan properly. “If this whole town has decided to pull my leg… If you’re all LARPers—”
Dom broke into bellowing laughter and placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch soft despite his reaction.
“Oh, Little Red!”
Evan looked confused. “What’s a LARP?”
“A LARPer. Live action role-playing,” Dom said. “Lincoln’s buddies from university were into that, and while I never saw photographic evidence, I hear he was an Elven mage.”
Evan cocked his head. “Elven… Wait, does he mean do we dress up? When we…you know.”
Dom looked at me with the fondest of expressions, like I could imagine he might look at his favorite screwdriver.
“He’s all new to it, but he’s coping so well. I was the first of our kind he ever saw.”
That got me flustered, and I fidgeted in my loaned jacket. “I thought you were a dog, okay? Plus, you just talk about…that? Out in the open?”
Dom indicated the empty sidewalk in front of the hardware store. “No one around, Little Red. But I appreciate you being concerned. Ready to go, or anything else you want to ask Evan about us?”
I glanced back at Evan where he stood, next to the rear of the truck, expectant but not wanting or daring to come any closer. He smiled at me encouragingly.
Still, I shook my head. “I’m good.”
“Okay then. Watch that pretty head.”
Before I had a chance to tell him that pretty wasn’t the right adjective, Dom had already closed my door for me. I watched him walk around the back of the jeep, saying his goodbyes to Evan, who headed back into his store but paused to wave at me. Odd guy, but nicer than a lot of Steven’s friends.
I hated myself for even thinking about Steven’s friends, for how that jerk’s poison stinger was still stuck in my mind.
With a frown, I huddled into my oversized jacket, glad for the protection.
And yes, also the comfort. It smelled nice too—Linc’s man smell, presumably. It wasn’t a bad smell at all.
The driver-side door opened, and Dom slid into the seat. “We’re getting you that chai latte and a brownie or something, because you’re looking hella pale. I don’t like it. Then we’ll get you your shoes and a proper jacket. You okay with that?”
“I have a jacket. And I’m not pale. I also have shoes, just for the record. I don’t need you to buy me hiking equipment.”
Dom just kept smiling at me as he brushed his fingers over my forehead and cheeks as if he were checking my temperature, then started the engine.
“Okay, okay. You look lovely. Just tell yourself it’s every werewolf’s darkest desire to see their mate dressed up as a sexy hiker. You’ll be doing us a favor.”
I snorted, but I didn’t complain. Complaining took effort I didn’t have in me. Also, Dom was really difficult to stop from doing whatever he wanted. The only person I’d seen him listen to so far was Linc, and Linc was the idiot who’d started with the shoes in the first place.
Resigned to my fate, I let my head sag back, was reminded of the stitches when I made contact with the headrest, and sat up straight again. Dom reached over to give my shoulder a quick squeeze. Well, I had promised him I would keep an open mind, and if he wanted to buy me a jacket, so be it.