Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
KOR
Vivienne was quiet on the way home. I hoped I hadn’t upset her by punching that asshole, Murdoch, in the face.
But I couldn’t just stand there and let him insult her like that—or to imply that we were sleeping together when that was very clearly against Pack Law.
If the people of the Wolverton Pack got that idea in their heads, there was going to be trouble for sure.
“I’m sorry if I caused a scene back there,” I said to her, when we were pulling up at the front door of the Manor. “I guess I shouldn’t have gone for him like that, but I just couldn’t stand there and let him talk to you that way.”
“Oh, I’m not upset,” she said quickly. “In fact, thank you for defending me. For defending my honor, I mean.”
“I had to—that fucking Murdoch seems to have a dirty mind,” I said. “I mean to imply that you and I are, you know, sleeping together—”
“Oh, I know!” she exclaimed, and her cheeks went pink. “I mean, we would never—”
“No, of course not,” I said. “I mean, not that I don’t find you attractive, because I really do. But by Pack Law, we’re related. I mean if it wasn’t for that, I’d…”
“You’d what?” She looked at me, her eyes wide and one hand pressed to her heart. I couldn’t help noticing that her scent had intensified again—it drew me to her like a magnet.
“Fuck, what wouldn’t I do?” I growled, leaning towards her. “I mean, only if you wanted me to, but, you know.”
“No, I don’t know. Tell me,” she murmured.
“Well, first I’d—” I began but just then there was a muffled ringing from somewhere.
“Oh, excuse me!” She pulled back—we had both been leaning towards each other—and dug in her purse. She looked at the phone. “I’d better take this.”
“Yes, you probably should,” I agreed.
It was a good thing the phone had chosen just that moment to ring. I couldn’t believe how close I’d come to kissing her—which probably would have been a disaster with my split lip.
It would have been a disaster even if you didn’t have a split lip—be careful—remember the Unbreakable Laws, a stern little voice in my head lectured me.
Vivienne wasn’t on the phone for long but when she got off, I think we both had the sense that a crisis had been averted.
“That was Carter’s lawyer,” she said, keeping her eyes on the phone. “He just wanted to let me know everything is finalized—all of his assets have been transferred to my account.”
“Oh. Well, that’s a good thing,” I remarked.
“Yes, it is.” She looked away from me. “Kor, I think we should…be more careful.”
“Yes, you’re right,” I said quickly. “I’m sorry, Vivienne. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just…I’ve never felt so drawn to anyone before.”
She glanced up at me.
“I feel the same way. But we can’t act on it—you know we can’t.”
“I know.” I nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not all your fault—it’s mine too,” she murmured. “Carter never called me beautiful or looked at me except to criticize what I was wearing or tell me how awful I looked. I’m not used to getting so many compliments and hearing that I’m pretty.”
“You’re not just pretty—you’re fucking gorgeous,” I said firmly. “Uncle Carter was a fool not to tell you every day of his life. If I had a wife like you, I’d let her know it.”
“You’re so sweet.” She gave me a tentative smile, and I saw how starved she was for compliments—how much she needed to hear that she was beautiful.
“I’m only telling the truth,” I said honestly. “But I can try to stop…if you want me to.”
“No, I don’t mind.” Her blush was back. “In fact…I like it. We just have to be careful, that’s all.”
“Got it. We will be,” I promised. “We would never do anything about this, uh, attraction between us. I mean, we’re both adults. We can keep our hands to ourselves.”
“Absolutely.” She nodded firmly. “Look, let’s get inside and I’ll put some ointment on that lip of yours.”
“Thank you.” I thought about telling her not to bother—my inner wolf was a fast healer, and my split lip would be whole again in no time. But Goddess help me, I wanted her hands on me. Even if it was only to put a little ointment on my lip, I wanted to feel her touch.
So I said nothing—only gathered the packages and groceries and followed her into the Manor.