here for that kind of date, Caleb.”
“I know.” His smile dimmed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you leaving angry.”
“I’m still leaving.”
“Then let me walk you to your car.”
In control of her traitorous feelings once again, she glared up at him. “Are you going to tell me it’s not safe? That I should be afraid of something…like the wolf I saw before.”
The blood drained from his face. “What?”
His shock was disquieting, but she’d known men to play games when backed into a corner. She wouldn’t put it past him to feign alarm.
“I suppose you’re going to tell me you didn’t know anything about it. Some wolf-like creature outside my window? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you and Lucas Drake were cohorts. He shows up the next morning talking about a rabid dog and I–”
“Annie.” In the amber glow of the porch lights, Caleb’s face was drawn, damp with sweat over the cheekbones. “Did you see him–it,” he corrected with an irritated shake of his head. “The night you were here? Did you see it?”
Her animosity wavered. She wasn’t certain what she’d seen, but there was no doubt his interest was genuine. He seemed unnerved by her revelation.
“I saw a dog. Outside of my window, silhouetted against the sky. Just for a second.”
Caleb swore and turned away.
“I should have probably told Lucas the next morning,” she continued. “But–”
“It wasn’t a dog.”
His certainty disturbed her. “You know that for a fact?”
“I do.”
Arianna let her mind revert to that night. The animal had been far too large and bulky for a dog, but was distinctly canine. “So if it wasn’t a dog, what was it?” An unexplainable chill swept over her. The whole thing was silly. Of course it had been a dog.
Caleb frowned. “It doesn’t matter.” He compressed his mouth in a tight line and lifted a bitter glance to the moon. Silver flared on the surface of his eyes. “I wouldn’t mention the animal to your boyfriend. It would only send him on a false trail.”
“Excuse me? Lucas is not my boyfriend.”
“Good. Then perhaps you’d allow me to see you again.” Taking her arm, Caleb guided her into the house and through the rear hallway. “I could accompany you and your students when you visit Gettysburg.”
The suggestion caught her off guard. Inside, away from the jeweled glow of amber-tinted porch lights, it was easy to detect the flush of fever on his cheeks. “I don’t know, Caleb.” She should have pointed out the obvious. That he was sick, that she couldn’t afford for him to be incapacitated by a headache or any other ailment with her students along.
“I promise to behave.” He grinned faintly, misinterpreting her hesitation. “You couldn’t ask for a safer date than to be chaperoned by a group of twelve-year-olds.” They’d reached the front door, and he held it open.
She was silent, digesting the idea as they walked toward her car. She did want to see him again, but was afraid where the attraction might lead. The memory of his kiss sent a tingle of excitement down her spine. Could she afford to become involved with such a complex man? He’d volunteered little of himself and his background over dinner, dodging the subject whenever she’d asked anything remotely personal.
“We’ll see.” When they reached her car, she thanked him for dinner, then moved to open the door. He gripped the handle before she could touch it, holding it locked firmly in place.
“I’m serious, Arianna. I want to see you again.”
“Maybe.” She knew she’d lost the battle. A man who kissed the way he did had already won the war.
* * * *
Seth Reilly watched from the shadows as she drove away. If Caleb hadn’t been incapacitated from last night’s transformation, the bastard would have sensed him. It was nearly impossible for a beta wolf not to sense the presence of his alpha, but the fool had gotten tangled up with the girl–something he hadn’t expected of DeCardian. Seth had been ready to ditch Daphne Hart, the clingy bitch he’d gotten involved with, but now saw enormous benefit in the chance connection. He watched as the taillights of Arianna’s car veered down the driveway with Caleb staring after it, his blond hair silver in the moonlight.
Like a damn Scandinavian prince.
Seth’s lips drew back in a soundless snarl. Maybe he wasn’t some fucking pious officer, but he had power beyond anything a menial dog like DeCardian could imagine. In time–when he willed it–he’d crush Caleb and the woman.
Aroused by the thought, he inched deeper into the shadows and watched as Arianna’s car vanished from sight.
Chapter 9
Arianna didn’t see Caleb again for another week. She kept busy by helping Lauren with party preparations, and squeezed in a lunch date with Daphne. Her sister talked of little except Seth Reilly, and how well connected he was. It made Arianna realize that although Caleb was given to moments of male ego, he was far from pretentious. She decided Gettysburg was her safest bet for seeing him again, and invited him on the field trip.
When the day arrived, she met him at the school parking lot, the same rendezvous point for parents who were dropping off their children. The group was small, three girls and five boys. She’d made arrangements for a school-sized van and had lined up her regular driver. Caleb was already there when she arrived, waiting with Wyn, chatting with a handful of parents and students.
“Good morning.” She hoped her voice masked the tingle she felt. It was difficult remaining neutral when her last memory of Caleb involved being held in his arms, his lips crushed to hers. Recalling how easily she’d melted into his embrace brought a heated flush to her cheeks, but thankfully, no one noticed.
Caleb met her eyes, then glanced down, fixating on her outfit. She’d dressed in belted white shorts, a turquoise tank top and sneakers. The temperature was predicted to climb into the low eighties and she intended to be comfortable. There was nothing out of place with her attire, but the heat in his gaze made her feel like she’d chosen something risque.
“I thought I’d play chauffeur,” Wyn explained, breaking the awkward moment. “I was headed this way, and–”
“Caleb doesn’t drive,” Arianna finished, remembering his preference for horses. It was hard to overlook, considering she’d almost run him down on Ranger the night they’d met.
Wyn hedged and cleared his throat, uncertain if she was teasing or being sarcastic. Deciding to put him out of his misery, she smiled. She couldn’t continue to fault him for what he’d done to her tire, when she’d made amends with Caleb.
Some of the boys had broken off, chasing each other through the parking lot, anxious to be on their way. Arianna exchanged a few pleasantries with several of the parents, and then with Caleb’s aid, ushered everyone into the van.
