Baker felt guilty, just like when the cops had questioned Reno. He wanted to make things better between them. He was also questioning his sanity. As Baker stole glances at Reno, he would swear the man looked hurt and just a tad pissed off.
Baker pushed his food around on his plate, no longer hungry. Reno was his damn stalker, and Baker felt bad for hurting the man’s feelings. It didn’t make one lick of sense to him, but that was how he was feeling.
Like crap.
Reno got up from the table and walked over to the counter. It looked like he was paying their bill. Glancing at the table, Baker could see that Reno hadn’t even finished his lunch. It was barely touched.
“Ready?” Reno asked when he walked back over, his expression inscrutable.
Baker pushed from the booth and followed him out to the parking lot. He felt compelled to say something, anything to stop Reno from being mad at him. “I’m sorry.” The two words would cover anything he might have said to offend Reno.
The shifter gave a tight nod, but still wouldn’t say anything. Baker grabbed him by the arm and pulled until Reno turned. “I was embarrassed. I felt like my dad was chastising me when that guy said something to us about going hot and heavy in his restaurant. What do you want me to say?”
Baker took a step back when Reno balled his hands into fists. The guy looked mad enough to punch something—namely Baker.
“We’re mates. What we do is no one’s concern but ours.”
“It is if we are in their place of business,” Baker said.
Reno spun around, letting lose a litany of curse words. “I am a coyote, Baker. The subspecies I belong to goes through something sacred called the mating dance. You might think me an ass, but I’m only acting on what nature made me. I’m sorry if it embarrasses or frightens you, but that’s who I am.”
Baker felt the lashes of Reno’s words like a whip. They cut deep as he stood there gazing up into espresso eyes. “And I’m human, Reno. Did you expect me to just say, ‘Hey, okay, you need to stalk me and publicly molest me? That’s fine.’ I’ve never had anyone act this way toward me and it’s a little overwhelming.” Baker shook his head. “No, it’s a lot overwhelming.”
Reno opened his mouth, but no words came out. Not when they both noticed the cop car pulling into the lot and stopping right in front of them.
There was only one cop, and it was the same one that had been in front of Baker’s apartment, and at Sweet Delight. What was this guy’s problem?
“Causing trouble?”
Baker wasn’t sure who he was talking to. The cop was looking between them both.
“No,” Reno answered, moving a step closer to Baker. He wasn’t sure why Reno was doing that, but admittedly, it made Baker feel better knowing Reno was right next to him.
“No problems,” Baker answered nervously. Reno took another small step and Baker realized he was now standing slightly behind the coyote.
“It seems like a dispute to me,” the cop said, walking closer, his eyes narrowed at Reno.
“We’re not fighting,” Baker said quickly. “We just had lunch and were headed back to work.”
The cop raked his eyes from Reno’s head, down to his booted feet. He looked like he was itching to bust Reno with something. Baker could feel his palms getting wet as he stood there, wondering what the cop was going to do.
“I suggest you both get back to work.” Turning, the cop walked back to his car. Neither said a word until he got in and drove away.
“What was that about?” Baker asked Reno. “He came into the bakery this morning, eyeing me like I was stealing something.”
“I’m not sure,” Reno said, still staring in the direction the cop had driven away. “But I don’t trust him.” The man turned, glancing down at Baker. “But let me know if he comes back around you.”
Baker numbly nodded. “I really am sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
Reno gave him a half-cocked smile as he bent down and placed a quick kiss on Baker’s lips. “I’m not out to hurt you, Baker. You are my mate. I would rather die than lay a hand on you in anger or insanity. It’s the mating dance that is driving me to act like this.”
“Okay, I’ll try and understand.”
“But I’m still going to stalk you until my coyote is ready to claim you,” he warned before handing Baker his helmet.
Baker swallowed, unsure how to feel right now. Reno was growing on him. He still didn’t like the whole stalker thing, but he understood more now than he did before. He frowned, breathing rapidly as he felt fluttering in his stomach. “And I’m still going to run.”
Reno winked at him as he moved a little closer. “I’m counting on that.”
* * * *
Reno was in the bay washing down one of the engines. He was flustered at the progress of the mating dance. It didn’t seem like he was getting anywhere with Baker. From seeing the dance firsthand in his past, Reno knew what was supposed to be happening, but what he was experiencing was totally different.
Instead of being the coyote on the prowl, he found himself wanting to ask Baker over for dinner just so he could get to know the man a little better. He scratched at his cheek as he thought about what Baker had said to him at lunch. His mate was overwhelmed by the way Reno was acting and that bothered him.
“Are you going to finish the rest of the truck or just polish that one spot all day?”
Reno’s thoughts froze when he heard Chief Callahan behind him. He bit his lip and turned around, facing his boss.
