BAYOU NOËL by Laura Wright

Author:Laura Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, paranormal romance, shapeshifters, alpha hero

CHAPTER 7

“You’re a fool, Loriot.”

The statement brought Garrick’s head around. He frowned. Raphael was headed his way, following the path of moonlight leading to the water’s edge.

Garrick snorted and turned back to face the bayou, and all the barges moving lazily down it with the current. “Tell me something I don’t know, brother.”

“All right.” Raphael came to stand beside him. “You’re scared.”

With a half-assed snarl, Garrick turned and gave his mentor a curious glare. “How the hell do you know about my fight with Molly?”

“I don’t,” Raphael said with a small grin. “But if you’re out here, staring into space—”

“I’m not staring into space,” Garrick corrected, gesturing toward the throng of barges in the water, and the yards of spruce trees bracketing the bayou on either side.

“Right,” Raphael amended. “It’s actually worse than that. Staring at all the Pantera heading down the bayou in their barges, huddling close together, the spirit of the season in their eyes and their smiles—waiting for the moment when they get to light the candles on their family tree. Yes. Staring at them instead of being with Molly, taking her in your arms, showing her just how goddamn much you want to claim her—”

“Enough, Raphael,” Garrick nearly growled. He didn’t want more images of his and Molly’s highly erotic time together sifting through his mind.

But they came anyway.

Christ, he could still taste her.

“Is the truth too painful to hear?” Raphael asked.

“That’s not my truth,” he grumbled.

“Bullshit. I’ve known you a long time, brother. And ever since Molly came to work for you, you’ve made it a priority to both stay away from her, and to know everything she’s doing or who she might be seeing when you’re not around.” His brow drifted up. “If that isn’t wanting, needing, loving, I don’t know what is.”

Garrick’s gut twisted. He hated his mentor’s words, but despised the truth in them more. At first when he’d hired Molly, things had been so easy. He’d come home for a day or two, then leave again. No problem. But as they’d started to get to know each other better, and their letters had started taking on a flirtatious edge, things had changed. Whenever he was home, whenever he was around her, in the same room, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

He wanted to touch her.

Kiss her.

Claim her.

It was then that he’d decided it was better to stay away. He’d known what he didn’t have to offer. And god, what she did.

“Do you want to be with her, Garrick?” Raphael asked, cutting through his thoughts.

“More than I’ve ever wanted anything,” he said without hesitation.

The male cursed. “Then why stay away?”

Garrick turned to him, grimaced. “Like you said, brother, I’m a scared fool.”

Raphael nodded his understanding. “Glad you can admit it. And shit, welcome to the club.”

Garrick arched a brow. “What do you know about it?”

“I’m sure someday down the line I too will be faced with my fear. Giving myself to a female who holds my once-caged heart in her hands.” Raphael inhaled deeply, thoughtfully.

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