Cael (Were Zoo Book 11), R. Butler [best management books of all time txt] 📗

Her cheeks heated as she smiled up at him. “You’re pretty sexy yourself.”

“Then I’d say we’re perfectly matched.” He lowered his head, their lips nearly touching, and he whispered, “I fucking missed you, Novi.”

And then he kissed her.

Chapter Eight

Since they were in a public restaurant and not alone at the table that surrounded their talented chef, Cael couldn’t really talk to Novi about anything relating to what he was and what she might be, which made his elephant irritated. They’d already suffered without her for two nights, and the thought of a third night without her in their arms looming ahead was enough to make his beast want to riot.

But despite the fact that they kept their conversation light, talking about non-private subjects like work, hobbies, and favorite things, he felt like Novi’s attitude had shifted since their first meeting. Something had changed her feelings toward him. It wasn’t that he thought she didn’t like him in the beginning, because he was sure she did, but she’d seemed hesitant and confused by her attraction to him.

Not anymore, it seemed.

She flirted and teased him, giggled and blushed, and every time her fingers grazed his skin his whole body jolted with awareness.

Her eyes, the beautiful dark brown that he’d memorized at their first meeting, slipped frequently to ice blue. The crinkles at the corners of her eyes when that happened told him that she wasn’t fighting the change and was genuinely happy to be with him.

When they’d eaten their fill of steak and noodles, he paid the bill and took her hand.

“I notice we hold hands a lot,” she said as they left the restaurant.

He chuckled. “I guess we do. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I like it. It feels familiar and comfortable.”

He unlocked the park’s unmarked SUV and opened her door. “You haven’t had that before.”

She looked up at him, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. “No. It’s just been me and Mom for so long.”

“You don’t have to be alone anymore, sweetheart. I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good.”

She went onto her toes and kissed him. He wanted to chase her lips and devour her, but instead he smiled and shut her inside the SUV. “I’ve got another stop in mind,” he said as he turned on the engine.

“Oh?”

“How about some ice cream?”

“I’d love that.”

He texted Justus to let him know they were on the way to the ice cream shop. When they arrived, it was deserted save for the two workers behind the counter, and Cael was glad for that. He and Novi ordered sundaes—hers peanut butter and chocolate, and his caramel and pecans. They sat in a booth and were quiet for a few minutes as they dove into their desserts.

The door opened and Cael looked up, smiling as Justus and Trina walked in.

“Hey!” he said, lifting his hand and waving them over.

“What a nice surprise,” Trina said, smiling.

“Novi, this is Justus and Trina, they work at the park. This is Novi.”

“Nice to meet ya,” Justus said, sticking out his hand.

Novi stared at him, her mouth open and her eyes wide.

Her blue eyes.

Her chest started to heave as she gasped for breath, panting as if she’d just run a marathon.

“Sweetheart?” Cael asked, his voice pinging with worry. He slipped from the booth and scooted in next to her, putting his arm around her. He tilted her chin up until she was looking at him. She looked panicked. “It’s okay, they’re my friends. He’s my friend.”

“I...I don’t...” she gasped, her words coming out in harsh whispers.

“Don’t be afraid,” Cael said. “I told you I’m with you, I’ve got your back.”

“Maybe we should go?” Trina asked, hooking her arm through Justus’s and pulling him back a few steps.

“No, wait,” Novi said. Her voice was a little deeper, her eyes a pale blue that was almost white. “I’m...I’m okay.”

“If you’re sure?” Cael asked.

She nodded, pursing her lips.

“We’ll grab some ice cream and give you guys a chance to talk before we sit down,” Justus said. “It’s okay if you want us to leave, Novi, I promise.”

She didn’t take her eyes off Cael, her hands curling in his shirt.

When they were alone, Novi let out a breath and relaxed a fraction. She blinked rapidly, her eyes suddenly glittering with tears. “What’s happening to me?”

“Tell me what it feels like.”

“Like something’s inside me and trying to come out,” she whispered. Her voice was still low and deep, and he knew the humans behind the counter wouldn’t be able to hear their conversation.

“Because of Justus?”

“Yeah. Do you know what’s happening to me?”

“I believe so, but I don’t think we should talk here.”

She opened her mouth, closed it, and then her gaze darted from his toward the counter where Justus and Trina were paying for their ice cream.

She nodded in understanding.

Trina approached the table alone and Justus stayed back by the counter. “Would you like us to leave? Or we can sit at another table.”

Novi dropped her head to Cael’s chest and inhaled deeply. She relaxed another fraction and a soft growl reached his ears. “I don’t know.”

Cael chuckled and kissed the top of Novi’s head. “It’s okay, sweetheart, why don’t we take off instead? We’re done with our ice cream anyway.”

“Okay. I’m sorry.” She lifted her head and looked at Cael.

“Nothing to be sorry about.”

“Maybe we can meet you guys later at the park?” Trina asked. “When we’re not so exposed out in public.”

“I’ll text Justus and let you know,” Cael said. He disposed of their trash and took Novi’s hand, leading her out of the shop. When he shut her in the SUV, Justus met him on the sidewalk.

“Seems pretty obvious to me,” Justus said, taking a bite of ice cream from a sugar cone. Trina