Chapter 12
AUDRA
Why does my entire life suddenly feel like a movie speeding through on fast-forward? Everything has been happening with Thane so quickly that I haven't had time to process what's going on.
Before I came to this quaint town and met him, I would have been irritated by a man insisting on paying for something for me. It's too old-fashioned. Not exactly smothering, but kind of in the same part of the forest.
But everything is different with Thane. He’s not doing it because he’s controlling but because he wants to care for me. Sure, there's a bit of a "big man look after his woman" caveman vibe. But it’s rooted in a place of sweetness.
After spending all morning working while my mind spins with worry, I decide that I’ve earned a break. I brush my hair, throw on one of my comfortable, loose dresses, then head out the door. I've barely made it across the parking lot when I get a text.
Thane: You up for lunch today? It's beautiful weather for a snack on a patio. Or maybe a picnic? I’m in town, so I’ll cruise by. But if you’re busy just text me so I don’t interrupt.
I grin from ear to ear. There's that wholesome vibe that I'm falling for.
Wow. I really am falling in love with him, aren’t I?
It feels incredible to think that. Sure, it might take some time before I felt able to say that out loud, but the idea of real love with Thane…at least, the potential for it…rings through my mind like a quiet bell.
Before I can respond to his text, my phone rings. My smile drops like a stone. "Hi, Mom."
“Audra, darling. How are you?"
Just then, Thane’s truck pulls into the parking lot. The window is down so he can see I’m on the phone, and he nods when I hold up a finger to indicate I'll be a minute.
"I'm fine. How are you, Mom?"
"Well, I haven't heard from you about that event. Why didn't you tell me when you got to New York?"
Thane’s head jerks toward me. Crap, he must be able to hear her shrill voice through the phone. It's fine. There's no point in hiding anymore.
"Because I'm not in New York. I told you, I'm in the mountains doing some recording. The event completely slipped my mind, sorry."
"Darling – your father expects you to be there."
"I told you weeks ago that I wasn't going to be able to make it." A bit of steel enters my voice. "I can't just drop everything I'm doing whenever you two want me to prance around in a ball gown."
"Audra." Her voice sharpens. "This is the night your father gets his big award. It's the one truly important event this year. How could you not come?"
My eyes close as I turn toward the sun, letting its warmth on my eyelids bring me a moment of calm. "Mother, unless you have a spaceship to pick me up and a magician to whip me up a dress, I'm not going to make it. End of story. Please tell Dad congratulations, and I'm very proud of him."
I start when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder. I whirl around to meet the gorgeous dark eyes that are burning into mine. "You have to be in New York tonight?"
"My father is getting some special award at the IFTA event tonight."
He nods. "The innovation and financial technology awards? My cousins have been to that." He leans in, taking my elbow. "Be honest, angel. Will you regret it if you’re not there?"
He's so earnest, even though Mom is listening in. “I…guess so? Honestly, I kind of forgot about it. But—"
“If money, time and space were no object, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you want to be there tonight?"
I take a slow breath. "Like…nine?"
He leans close, his lips brushing across my forehead. Then he speaks into my phone. "Audra and a date will arrive shortly before the awards begin."
"I'll have two tickets ready!" Mom says brightly. "Oh, Audra, your father is going to be so delighted—"
"Gotta go, Mom. See you soon." I disconnect, then stare at Thane. "How the heck are we going to get to New York that fast?”
I nearly drop my phone when he pulls me to him, kissing me roughly, deeply, with a fiery blast of raw desire that makes my knees quiver and my thighs press together firmly.
When he releases me, the world around me shimmers. He’s so amped up. The light in his dark eyes is almost manic.
“Angel, you're about to find out what it means to be a Wolfe.”