“You are comparing your hair to a scar?”
I sighed and ran my finger over the grooves of the braid. “Maybe you should confess what happened to me. Why am I really here?”
The brown leather chair creaked when he rose to his feet, and Lorenzo silently walked barefoot across the room until he met with the bed. “You should eat before it gets cold.”
“I’ll agree to eat if you tell me how I got injured.”
He tipped his head to the side, a strand of hair slipping in front of his face. “I’ll agree to that bargain.”
I nibbled on another strawberry and Lorenzo hastily swiped the plate from my lap. “I refuse to trade information for berries.”
He shoved a plate of meat in front of me and I gawked at it.
“I can’t eat that.”
“You can’t eat a brick, but I’m confident you can eat a plate of ribs.”
I looked around, wide-eyed. “Do you have a napkin before I slather up your bed? Who is the cook on duty? They should be fired.”
He tossed me a cloth napkin. “Begin.”
I quirked a brow. “Begin? Chewing on meat isn’t a symphony. Have a seat in the chair and maybe you should begin.”
He clasped his hands behind his back and when he turned around, I stole a glance at his broad shoulders and V-shaped torso. Lorenzo was fit and strong in stature. Everything about his swagger exuded authority and confidence. When he turned to sit, I quickly lifted the rib and tore off a strip of meat.
While the rub was more dry than wet, it still made a mess of my fingers. But my mouth watered the instant the delicious flavors awakened my taste buds. My wolf was famished and greedily urged me on.
“Is there something special I can bring you?” he asked curiously.
Lorenzo wanted to know my craving.
All Shifters have a specific craving when they change back to human form. Some craved pickles, others gobbled up strange meats like elk or snake. Lexi had a thing for chocolate pudding, Reno stashed bacon in the freezer, and the popcorn in the house was off-limits to everyone but Izzy.
“What I have here is plenty,” I said.
“My house is well-stocked. I’m sure I can accommodate any request.”
I chewed off another piece of meat. “Cream cheese.”
“Do you prefer it on toast or crackers?”
“Just a spoon is fine.” When his face soured, I giggled quietly. “Tell me, Lorenzo, what is it you crave after a shift?”
“Sex.”
I set down my rib and wiped my fingers on the napkin. “No need to be vulgar, unless that’s your attempt at dry humor.”
His eyes glittered with mischief. “I crave honey. Incorporating that with sex fulfills two needs.”
“I would rather not talk about sex while lying in your bed.”
A dark smile crossed his face and he leaned forward. “That’s the first time a woman has said that to me. Tell me a little about yourself. Where do you come from? What is your father like?”
Why did he want to know so much? “You promised to tell me how I got here. I think we should stick to our agreement, don’t you?”
He stood up and lifted the fire iron from the stand, prodding at the log and causing the flames to intensify.
“Why did you build a fire when you have central heating?”
He set the poker down and watched the fire for a moment. “The windows are floor to ceiling; they aren’t well insulated.”
“So why not block them off with heavy drapes?”
He turned to face me and folded his arms. “I prefer the view. Do you have a problem with my windows?”
“Spirit demons can find me,” I said in a quiet voice.
He laughed softly. “Such superstitions. Our folklore differs from that of human Native Americans for a reason. They are bedtime stories meant to frighten children and keep them at home at night so the Chitahs don’t get them.”
“I sleep better without windows.”
“Maybe your fear keeps you awake. Tell me, what is it you fear?”
“Not ever finding out what happened to my leg,” I said impatiently.
Lorenzo nodded like a stubborn man and took a seat in his chair again. “One of my men struck you with his car.”
My stomach turned. “Your packmate? Where?”
His face grew dark and serious. “What was your wolf doing running miles away from your property in the middle of a busy road? Our wolves know to stay out of sight; what drew her out of the woods? Or do you have a disobedient wolf who—”
“Wait just a moment.” I slammed my plate on the cart. “Don’t turn this around and put the blame on me. It’s not as if I threw myself in front of oncoming traffic.”
His face twitched and he slid his jaw to the side. “Did you?”
The way he looked at me—I knew. I just knew. “How did you find out about my mother? I assume you must have known about her death because you’re an intrusive man, but no one outside my father’s pack knows the details. And don’t tell me that news travels fast, because we both know that’s a lie.”