CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Talon saw the color creep up Bianca’s neck to her face. She was blushing but she kept her eyes on him.
Was she testing him, challenging him?
Talon smirked and leaned forward. He liked the fire in her eyes. “You should let me fill you up,” he said, holding her gaze. “Satisfy that hunger of yours.”
Bianca’s blush deepened and she swallowed a whimper. Talon could scent her sudden arousal, and he tamped down a growl. This little female was playing with fire, but she wasn’t the only one who was going to get burned.
His wolf was already howling inside of him, clawing and ramming furiously at his shields. Bianca had no idea what she was doing to him. She was driving him and his beast wild.
Finally, she looked down and took a quick bite of her toast. She licked the crumbs from her lips and Talon almost groaned. It took all his willpower not to lean across the table and kiss her senseless. He wanted to taste those soft, plump lips, delve into her hot little mouth and feel her melt against him.
“Thank you...for everything,” Bianca said at last. “You saved me from the wolves last night.”
Talon canted his head at her. Did she know that he was that gray wolf?
“I had no right to be in your house,” she went on. “But you didn’t throw me out. You offered me refuge and gave me a safe place to spend the night. Thank you, Talon.”
“Anyone would have done the same,” he answered. “It’s natural to help someone in need.”
Bianca shook her head and gave him a sad smile. “You’re wrong,” she said softly.
Talon frowned. Had Bianca been denied help when she needed it? She had suffered, of that he was sure. He could see the pain in her eyes, and the resignation and sorrow in her smile.
Bianca kept her eyes down and focused on her food. Talon sensed that she didn’t really want to talk about her past. He ate his breakfast in silence, giving her space to breathe and gather herself.
Bianca finished everything on her plate and cradled her mug of coffee in both hands.
She burped and laughed in embarrassment. “Excuse me. But this is the best meal that I’ve had in a long time. I feel better, stronger already,” she said, surprising him with a grin.
“Eat more,” Talon said. “You need to replenish your strength and energy.”
“I can’t take another bite!” Bianca exclaimed, tugging at the waistband of her jeans. She straightened her blouse and said, “Oh, I wanted to ask, where did you get the clothes? They’re lovely and they fit me great. But I didn’t think any shops would be open at this time. It’s still morning...”
“I drove into town last night,” Talon replied tersely.
“Oh.” Bianca’s eyes rounded, but she saw that he didn’t want to elaborate so she left it at that.
Talon didn’t feel like telling Bianca that he had driven himself away from the house and straight to town in order to save her from himself. He would have broken down the bedroom door and mounted her if he had stayed in the house a second longer.
Once he reached Wolves Hollow, he had pounded on the door of a small clothes shop until he saw a light come on in the apartment above the shop. The shop owner, Imelda, lived in the apartment just above her shop, and Talon knew her since she started her business ten years ago. He’d made the shelves and furniture for her shop.
Imelda had been peeved at having being so rudely interrupted from her book. She had been reading in bed when she heard that infernal pounding downstairs. But she did open the door for Talon and allowed him to pick the items he needed from her shop. He had stuffed a wad of cash into Imelda’s hands and said gruffly, “Thanks.”
Talon was already in his truck before Imelda could turn around to get his change. He saw the woman peer out the window in bewilderment as he sped away.
He hated leaving Bianca alone in the house, yet he couldn’t trust his wolf to be near her. In the end, Talon had placed the clothes outside the bedroom door and forced himself to sit outside on the front steps.
Talon guarded the house and his mate the whole night until the first rays of the sun chased the darkness away.
Only then did he let himself back into the house. He knew what he had to do. He had to feed his mate when she woke up. So he went straight to the kitchen and got busy.
Bianca finished her coffee and leaned back in her chair with a contemplative look on her face. “The town...” she began, clearing her throat. “Do you think I can find a job in town?”