Mr Damon’s grin only widened.
Not wanting to stay trapped with this intimidating group for long, I cleared my throat again and covertly glanced about as I handed over my credit card to purchase the incredibly cute purse. I saw only one outlet of escape close by.
Dammit, not exactly ideal.
But with Mrs Damon’s eyes scanning my person again and her lips trembling like she was dying to start quizzing me, I quickly grabbed my credit card and receipt from the vendor and turned my eyes to the left—and stared pointedly into an amber gaze. I grasped the sack from the vendor, mumbling, “Thank you.”
With perfect timing, just as I stuffed my purse inside the plastic sack and Mrs Damon’s mouth opened, Brann’s deep rumble erupted from my left. “Caro, do you have a second? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
I inhaled casually, ignoring the three spirit Elementals standing next to me, and peered up into sparkling amber eyes. His loose black curls dangled around his tanned, striking face. “Sure. I want to hit that vendor up there.” I pointed ahead, not having a clue where I was really indicating. “We can talk along the way.”
He nodded securely in the face of my blatant lie. “That’s fine.” He dipped his head at the spirit Elementals. “If you’ll excuse us.” He lifted a hand and gestured for us to move forward, not giving the Elementals a moment to speak. I slipped outside of their group and began walking silently beside Brann. When we were a decent distance from them, Brann broke the quiet tension between us, whispering, “It must have been a real emergency for you to resort to asking me for help.”
I chuckled at his truth. “Being cornered by them does constitute an emergency.”
He snickered right along with me, steering us in the direction of a booth with homemade scarves. We ducked under the hanging silk, cotton, and cashmere into the small tent so that we were somewhat hidden by the hanging colorful bits and pieces. He spoke with soft humor. “We had been doing so well at ignoring each other, too.”
With a sardonic curve of my lips, I glanced up at him. He stood close by my side in the hidden alcove. I allowed myself the moment to stall and stare at his features as the merchant stepped outside her tent to help a customer. I hadn’t permitted myself this luxury in so long.
Deep amber eyes roamed my face just as gradually. Like my own, his gaze wasn’t as heated as before. Too much had happened, too much had changed us.
Air slowly rushed past my lips and I whispered softly, “Friends it is.”
A black, thin eyebrow lifted. “Friends is enough.” His lips twitched. “Besides, I believe you have your hands full.”
I rolled my eyes. “That I do.”
He placed his hands in his pockets. “So…we can stop avoiding each other now.”
“Thank God,” I gushed, grinning from ear to ear. “It was a little awkward.”
“We should have talked sooner.” And his gaze was that of a Prodigy’s.
I nodded swiftly. “No more of this shit.”
“Agreed.” His lips curved up on one side. His mouth opened, but he slammed it shut.
Our attention snapped to the front of the tent.
We instantly took a step back from each other.
Elder Merrick had slipped through the hanging scarves. Silent.
His eyes narrowed on Brann.
The Elder jerked a thumb over his shoulder, toward the exit.
Brann groaned, “We were just—”
“Now, Mr Johnson,” Elder Merrick growled, a bit of wolf in his tone.
It was an alpha’s command.
Brann ground his teeth together but nodded respectfully. He peered directly at me, stating coolly, “Maybe we can have a beer sometime. Just hang out.” As friends.
I nodded. “I like that idea.”
He actually shoved Elder Merrick’s shoulder as he passed by him, not appreciating the direct order to leave.
The Elder didn’t notice the angry blow. The more experienced Shifter didn’t even glance back at him. His navy, complex eyes stared directly into mine. He said not a word, but his silent regard was enough. Intimidating and gorgeous, he managed to get his point across without opening his lush mouth.
His stare stated: Stay the fuck away from the Prodigy Shifter.
I nibbled on my bottom lip and feigned dry humor that I wasn’t feeling. “Our conversations are so stimulating, don’t you think?”
Without one syllable spoken, he turned and slipped outside the tent.
I waved my purse where he used to stand, pretending he was still there. “It’s always a pleasure, Elder Merrick.” I whacked the air once for good measure.
Chapter Eight