Free Wolf’s Honor: Caedmon Wolves Book Six by Ambrielle Kirk, Amber Ella Monroe Page A

check, if you’ve got a phone,” she offered.
    He came back over to meet her near the foyer, closing the distance between them. Only about an inch separated them as he slid his hands up the outside of her arms. “Not now. Come morning, I’ll have more details on the situation. If the local cops haven’t already, it’ll only be a matter of time before they gain a positive ID on both you and me. Truth be told, I would like to clear both of our names before that happens.”
    “But the reports said we were just wanted for questioning.”
    “That’s what they told the public. Besides, do you want to turn yourself in? People do hard time in prison for aiding organized crime rings.”
    She swallowed. “Maybe that’s what I deserve.”
    “No…” His opposition was spoken so quietly, she’d barely heard it.
    “You barely know me, Connor Maxim. If you did, I’m willing to bet anything that you’d never even want to be standing in the same room with me.”
    “What are you willing to bet?” He leaned in closer, his warm breath fanning her neck.
    “Maybe…” Her back stiffened as heat and attraction flowed through her veins. “I don’t have anything you want.”
    “You gave your word. You wanna bet? What have you got?”
    “I don’t own expensive material things. Just myself.”
    “I’ll take it. If I prove you wrong, you’ll give yourself to me.”
    “That’s not what I meant.”
    “What did you mean? Just a moment ago you said you were willing to bet anything. Now you hesitate to put your money where your mouth is.” He caught her gaze and grinned.
    “You’re a little ballsy, aren’t you?” she countered.
    He chuckled under his breath. “There ain’t nothing little about my balls.”
    “The proof is always in the pudding.”
    His warm mouth stroked the delicate left side of her neck and under her jaw. Something cold, like his canines, brushed against the underside of her chin. She swallowed, involuntarily pushing her throbbing vein against his mouth.
    “When you lose your bet, and you will, I will show you my proof in the flesh.”
    Her lips parted on a gasp.
    And just like that he tore away from her, the chilly air taking up the empty space between them.
    Connor moved toward the door. “We have electricity for now, but I need to get the backup generator ready just in case.”
    “Are you leaving me alone?”
    “You’re safe on this land. Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I’ll only be gone a few minutes.”
    He walked out the door, leaving her in the ranch alone.
    She shivered against the chilly air and wrapped her arms around her. As she plopped down on the sofa, she realized that she’d just unconsciously made a deal with Connor.
    A deal that would open up her past to his scrutiny.

CHAPTER TWELVE
    A ntonia’s sweet lilac scent drawing nearer alerted him to her presence before he’d even seen her. Daybreak had emerged a few hours before, and he’d heard her moving about in the little bedroom so he figured she was awake. Thinking she would be too uneasy to come out, he’d prepared a little tray with the breakfast he’d managed to pull together. She’d proven him wrong by coming out of the room.
    The lilac scent was so strong now that he knew she had to be standing in the kitchen or damn near close to it. She also smelled of soap and mouthwash, which told him she’d accepted the bag of supplies he’d left for her in the bathroom.
    Connor's wolf jerked excitedly under his skin, eager for him to be in the presence of Antonia once again.
    He tried his best to rein in his composure and turned around.
    She was so exquisitely gorgeous that her beauty knocked the breath right out of him. The daylight shone into the ranch, offering him a fair view of her in all of her glory. The first thing he noticed was her delicate facial structure and high cheekbones. Her skin was the color of nutmeg, and her lips were the shade of red licorice. She must have washed her hair, too. Some water