Troy said it brought out the blue in her eyes.
She blinked back moisture and opened one bag. “I’ll go swim in the creek and wash off. What did you buy?”
“Vegetables.”
Jenny stared. “No steak? Chicken or even a pork chop?”
“We’ve been eating enough meat. You need vegetables to build up your immune system.”
Lupines had an excellent immune system. They didn’t need…
“You mean my Skin immune system.”
Avoiding her gaze, he unpacked the parcels and set them out on the ground. “Fresh raw vegetables and fruit from an organic shop in town.”
Disbelief filled her. “Are you reverting back to your hippie origins? What’s next, flashing peace signs and driving a Volkswagen Beetle?”
Or at least what he said were his hippie origins. Again, she wondered about his past.
Troy grinned at her, displaying even white teeth. Such an engaging smile, boyish and filled with mirth. One reason she fell for him and his charms…
“No darling, I was filling your needs. Only the best.”
The sudden glint in his gaze indicated another need he’d be happy to fill.
That particular need was not one she had filled since they met. Sex with Troy seemed too intimate, too lasting…
She suspected he would not be happy with a one-night booty call. Only several nights, or a lifetime. Commitment wasn’t in her vocabulary now.
Or ever. She’d seen what commitment to a mate and pack did to you when everyone followed the alpha.
Commitment got you killed by Skin-fired bullets.
“I need to wash up,” she muttered.
He followed, of course. Her shadow, always protecting her. Jenny jumped into the creek, not bothering to strip, relishing the cold bite of water. It reminded her of life, sharp and filled with spikes if you weren’t looking. When she emerged, he had a towel ready.
When they returned to the campsite, Troy sat on the ground next to her, leaning back against a tree. His manner looked casual, but she knew him by now. Tension threaded through him. Gaze sharp, not focused on her, but their surroundings.
She changed her clothing in a hurry and hung the wet clothing on a tree limb to dry. Troy keep scanning the woods.
She knew he’d picked up the scent of the other Lupines, especially the alpha. But unlike other times when he’d hustle them out of the area, Troy didn’t seem alarmed, only watchful.
Waiting.
“How many of them?” he asked as she finally sat down.
“Relax, big boy. I could handle them. I know how to hide and take care of myself. There were two of them. Males. Older than you, not by much. Healthy. One’s an alpha.” Jenny bit into an apple, figuring the fruit wouldn’t hurt. The sweet taste flooded her mouth. The fruit smelled like an orchard, fresh and clean.
“Alpha huh? Must be the one they call Aiden. This is his turf. Probably scented strangers trespassing on his land. Or someone else did, and he checked it out.”
The apple tasted even better than she’d imagined. Jenny paused before taking another bite. “They found your SUV early this morning, decided to check it out. You didn’t hide it so well, Troy. You’re slacking.”
Troy pulled the hood over his head. “I meant for them to find it.”
Made sense now. Her friend had been far too careful up until now. “Why? I don’t know if this is a safe place for us to stay. I mean, you wanted to visit, but why not knock on the front door, visit and we can take off for the next town?”
“Don’t know if the next town will be any better.”
True enough. Before arriving here, they’d slept on a farmer’s land in wolf form. The farmer had shot at them. Thanks to Troy, they’d escaped unharmed.
She understood this nomad life couldn’t last. Not for Troy. But she felt desperate about losing him.
“Then why not tell this Aiden Mitchell you’re here?”
Troy looked around. “Needed to check out the place first for the potential. See how much game there is to support a pack, because not enough game and Lupines can get mean when they hunt. Not enough space and territory and Lupines get restless. Mitchell’s ranch and land is large enough, plenty of space to move around. Yet they have provisions as Skins as well. I liked that cabin. Rustic, outdoor shower.”
She bit off another piece of apple, chewed and swallowed, worried he wanted more than a day’s visit. “It needs fixing. Kind of rundown.”
Troy laughed, a deep sound that send a shiver of pleasure down her spine. He gave her braid a playful tug.
“Sweetheart, remember that seedy hotel room I found for us back in Utah? This cabin is a mansion in comparison. The ranch looks good, too, Jenny. I checked it out while making my way to town to buy groceries.”
Jenny paused in chewing her apple. Troy had never stated that about any of the places they stayed. Especially not land obviously owned, and patrolled, by other Lupines. He liked what he had seen.
Liked it and wants to settle here?
Troy rolled a shoulder and winced. Jenny set the apple inside the sack and moved behind him, massaging his thick shoulders. Troy threw back his head on a blissful moan. Her fingers dug into the hard muscles, feeling the familiar thrill at touching him, as she worked. She directed healing currents rippling into his body, easing the tension in his strong body.
So much had ridden on him these last two months. It was the least she could do.
He pulled away. “Thanks sweetheart, but you keep that up and something else in me is gonna be aching.”
His smoldering gaze burned into her as he turned. Troy kissed her fingers and gave them a slow lick, indicating exactly what need he had.
Then he drew in a deep breath, stood and shook his hands. “Getting harder and harder to restrain myself around you, Jenny. But like I told you from the first night we met, you set
