Tom growled as he threw down the oil-covered rag, muttering darkly to himself.
“Everything okay?”
“No,” he bit out. “Not that it’s your business.”
Nick said nothing but gave his brother a sly grin.
"Don't start," Tom warned. "Let's just get this job finished, okay?" The oil change was taking longer than they'd thought since they'd found a leak as well as a badly clogged filter, but Tom was glad for the extra work. It kept his mind of Savannah.
His bear wasn’t happy last night, walking away from Savannah like he had. It had kept trying to turn him back to the water so that he could jump in beside her and enjoy the coolness. The bear had become so aggressive that eventually, Tom had shifted back into his human skin. The bear had made the change more painful than normal, almost as though it were punishing Tom for leaving Savannah alone. He wished his bear would just leave Savannah alone, but it was hankering for her already. He didn't want to admit it, but there was something about her that was drawing him in too.
She’d been more confident this morning, that was for sure. She was trying hard to be friendly and approachable, instead of the slightly terrified little thing he’d seen yesterday, and that had surprised him. Was it because she saw him in his bear form? Had that made her calmer? Whatever the reason, Tom wasn’t sure he liked this slightly sassy, confident Savannah. It made his bear growl happily, and that wasn’t exactly the response he’d been hoping for. In fact, he wanted to stay away from Savannah, but there was no chance of that happening now. She worked for them, didn’t she? That meant Tom was going to see her pretty much every day, and Jo, he was sure, was going to keep trying to push them together.
Tom had hoped that Jo might have forgotten about him taking Savanah to the store, but that idea had died the moment he saw her face. On top of that, he’d noticed the way Savannah had shifted uncomfortably in that old rickety chair, and he’d been embarrassed. He didn’t want her to have to use that old thing. He would order a new one right away. He remembered the way her bottom had wriggled against the seat, and, for just a moment, Tom was filled with a sudden rush of heat. It passed quickly, but Tom couldn't let go of the image immediately. She was attractive, he could admit that, with curves in all the right places. But he wasn't going to trust her, just because he found her beautiful.
“Hello?” Nick called, a hearty grin on his face. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Sorry,” Tom mumbled, giving himself a talking to. “I was just getting distracted.”
“With?”
“None of your business,” Tom growled, his bear growing restless over his brother’s ribbing. “Quit bugging me about her, Nick.”
Nick didn’t say anything, but Tom could hear the slight rumble of his chest as he laughed. He hated that Nick could see through him so easily but, then again, he was just as worried about Nick’s attraction to Jo when it had first started. It was like he’d known it before Nick had. Was this the same thing?
Pushing his thoughts away, Tom focused on getting the job done. He’d have time to worry about Savannah later.
Walking back from the store, Tom shot Savannah a glance. She looked happy and he’d been surprised at just how well things had gone between them. He ordered a new chair for her the minute they’d got in, before showing here where they got their supplies, what brands they used and where to get the order forms from, if they were going to buy in bulk. She’d done nothing but listen and nod, watching his every move with careful eyes. She was certainly keen to learn, that was for sure.
“So, that chair will be here by the end of the week,” he said, interrupting the silence. “I’m sorry you have to sit on that old thing until then.”
“That’s okay,” she replied, glancing up at him with a light smile. “I don’t much mind.” Turning her face back to the path, she carried on walking slowly, as though taking everything in.
“Oh,” she exclaimed, after a moment. “Thank you for showing me all that. I appreciate it. It’ll help me to actually do my job, and I know how much you didn’t want to do it.”
He frowned. “I didn’t mind, Savannah.”
She looked at him again, with a slight frown on her face and Tom found himself wanting to smooth away the crease in her forehead with his fingers.
“I know you don’t trust me, Tom. I know you didn’t want to come out here with me today. So I really appreciate that you did.”
He swallowed hard, wishing he could honestly tell her that what she’d obviously heard wasn’t true, but knowing he couldn’t. Scuffing his foot in the dirt, he shook his head to himself. “I don’t trust easy, Savannah, not after what’s happened.”
“What happened?” she asked, quickly, remembering that she wasn’t meant to know anything about the feud between his pack and the Northern Wind pack.
Quickly, he gave her the details, surprised that she didn’t seem as horrified as he’d expected her to be. He left the part about Dan out, thinking that she’d find out about him soon enough. Dan’s leg was doing so well that Tom expected him to be up walking really soon. He’d introduce him to Savannah then. One thing at a time.
"That sounds awful," Savannah said, once he finished speaking. "I'm not surprised that you don't trust me, then. I would be the same if I were you."
“Glad you understand,” he replied, gruffly.
The heady scent of pine and water caught his nose, and his bear roared immediately. Being with Savannah made the bear want to be with her bear, despite the circumstances.
“You feel it too,” Savannah whispered, taking a few steps to the edge of the forest. Her human skin was almost beginning to itch, since she’d been in it for so long, and her bear wanted out to run.
Tom paused for a moment, wondering if he should take the first step into developing his relationship with Savannah. He couldn’t exactly trust her yet, but the only way to do that was to spend more time with her, wasn’t it? “Want to go for a run?” he asked, with a quick grin.
Savannah’s eyes widened, surprised at both his question and the smile on his face. He looked so different when he smiled, more open and certainly more handsome. Battling down her attraction, she tilted her head. “Won’t Jo and Nick worry? I don’t want to give a bad impression, especially not on my first day.”
He grinned even wider. “No, they won’t notice. We won’t be long.”
Savannah watched as he shifted, knowing that no-one else was around. He was majestic in his alpha skin and her bear practically tore from her skin in an instant. Together, they ran into the woods, just enjoying the feeling of being free.