Free Microsoft Word - The_Howling_Heart_AB_forPDF by Princess Page B

recovered, how's that?" Riley looked as if he was going to object so I said, "I have an amazing job waiting for me in New York. I was just
    promoted."
    His face fell instantly. " Please ." I wasn't expecting him to beg.
    I held his gaze, but he looked away first. "Why do you want me to stay so badly? Do you
    like me?" It was already too late by the time I heard myself ask the juvenile question.
    He finally settled his pale emerald eyes on me. When he nodded, my eyes widened before
    I looked up at the ceiling. Then I thought about the fact he seemed to be keeping something from
    me. I wasn't one to manipulate others, but he had me very curious.
    I turned to him with a sweet smile and tried to make my voice sound tender. "Then I need
    you to be honest with me." Now he looked frustrated. "You want us to be friends, right?"
    His blond brows knit in confusion. "Just friends?"
    I couldn't fathom the thought of being more than that. I couldn't let myself get
    romantically involved with a small-town guy I'd never see.
    "Yes, we can get to know each other and be friends ."
    He looked deflated. He turned his head away and didn't speak for a couple seconds, but
    then I heard his quiet response. "Okay."
    "Tell me what's going on. I know you know something, Riley. I can see it in your eyes.
    What's going on with this white wolf?"
    Riley’s lips twitched as if he wanted to say something.
    This time I was the one begging. " Please tell me. I have to know."
    My eyes pleaded with him to ease my sanity. Unfortunately, Quinn interrupted my
    chance of possibly finding out the truth when she walked into the room wearing royal blue
    nursing scrubs. I knew she was a nurse !
    She stood in front of her brother. "Dad wants to see you at the station."
    Riley scoffed in irritation. "What does he want?"
    Quinn shrugged. "I don't know. He didn't tell me. He just said to get you."
    "He can't ring the house?"
    She rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation. "Oh bloody hell, Riley. Just go and see
    what he wants."
    Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

    T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T
    A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e | 51

    Riley turned to look at me and this time I read the message behind his eyes: We'll talk
    later . He leaned over my body and his scent washed over me. A prickly heat burned within me
    when I felt his soft lips press against my forehead.
    When our gazes met, his gentle words stole my breath away. "Promise you'll be here
    when I get back?"
    All I could do was nod. He smiled brilliantly. I watched him go to the dresser and put on
    a pair of blue jeans and a white tank. It clung to his torso in all the right places and showed off
    his sculpted arms. He didn't give me a second glance when he walked out of the room, but my
    gaze followed him.
    I felt the mattress dip and looked over to see Quinn make a spot for herself next to me.
    She put her hand on my forehead.
    "Oh good! Your fever broke." She looked joyous. Her eyes darted toward the nightstand.
    "I see Riley fed you. How are you feeling? Did you see the wolf again?" There was worry in her eyes now.
    "No, I didn't see it today."
    She smiled. "I told you there's nothing to worry about."
    "Oh yes there is! Quinn, I wasn't having a nightmare! I really saw a wolf! How do you
    explain the white hairs on the carpet?"
    "I'm sorry, Paige. I didn't mean to upset you." Her face was the one looking upset. "Riley and I were talking, and I agree with him that you should stay with us."
    "I told him I'd stay here until I felt better."
    "No, I mean...stay with us permanently ."
    I gaped at her. "What? I can't stay here."
    "Why not?"
    "Because I have a life in New York. Besides, I don't think I could survive out here. I'm a
    city girl." I smiled, but Quinn wasn't amused. "Why do you want me to stay?" I asked quietly.
    She spoke softly. "You're different, Paige. There's no one around here like you. It's good
    to have new people in town." She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "And...I think
    you're