She was so gonna win.
He chewed on the edge of the pencil, gaze focused on the board. “Hmm, space is getting tight. This is going to be tough.” She drank her wine, waiting happily for the little word she expected, and swore she wouldn’t be a bad winner. Well, at least she’d try. All he had to work with was an open A, and it wouldn’t give him much.
“Got it.” He began laying letters down one by one across the board.
Anestrus.
Huh? Gen leaned over and tried to focus. Wait, had he gotten rid of all his letters? She blinked in astonishment at the empty tile holder. He just scored an extra fifty points for the bonus.
“Hold off. What the heck is anestrus? That’s not a word. And how did you manage to keep two S’s hidden from me?”
He shrugged as if it meant nothing. “Don’t know. Wanted to save them for a good one. You don’t know what that means? It’s a word.”
“I challenge!”
He cocked his head. “You’re a doctor and know biology. You’re telling me you never heard of it?”
“Of course I haven’t, because it’s not a word. What does it mean, smarty pants?”
“Anestrus is the period of sexual inactivity in mammals.”
She blinked. “You’re kidding me, dude.”
“Nope. Look it up. You challenge and lose, it’s my game.”
“Fine. I still challenge.” She grumbled in irritation as she flipped through the dictionary and came across . . . anestrus. The period of sexual inactivity in mammals.
Bastard.
She shut the book with a snap. His delighted grin stole all her thunder. “Believe me now, Doc?”
Oh, she so wanted to scream “Cheater,” but she couldn’t. He was just smarter than her right now, and it burned her bad. Another trait she had gained from her sister. A penchant to win all board games.
She studied him, relaxed, a tiny grin still on his face while he cleaned up the board and allowed her to pout. He’d changed into running shorts and a tank top that showed off his carved arms and cut shoulders. His skin was a lovely golden brown from the sun. Funny, any woman would be going nuts right now to be alone with him, in front of a roaring fire, in a deserted cabin. He was a walking, talking sex god, and here she was, playing Scrabble in her Walmart clothes, with no makeup and crazy hair.
It was pretty awesome.
Sleepiness began to claim her again. She leaned her head against the side of the couch and yawned. “I hate losing.”
“I know.”
“You won fair and square. I’m yours for the taking.” His brow shot up. “For a secret, I mean. Mind out of the gutter, please.”
“Was just concerned you wanted to end your anestrous state.”
She couldn’t help it. Gen threw her head back and laughed. “One day. Not tonight.”
“Good to know.” She waited for his question, knowing it would be about David. How sad it was that she’d begun shutting Wolfe out under her fiancé’s demands. Soon she’d need to admit her wrong and hope Wolfe could forgive her. Now, at least, she could offer the truth for anything he wanted. “What was the thought that crossed your mind right before you decided to jump out the window?”
The question threw her off. Wringing her hands, she thought back to the one critical moment before she ran. Before she blew up her controlled, perfect, orderly life. And told the truth.
“I used to have this inner voice that would talk to me. Tell me things. Either my subconscious or gut, not sure. I got used to trusting it. But after a few months with David, it started to become quiet. At first I thought it was because I didn’t need it anymore. I had the man I loved. But then I realized the loss was dangerous, because I was just afraid to listen to it anymore. The voice died.” She sucked in a breath, trembling. “Right before the wedding, I heard it again. The voice kept telling me one thing over and over.”
“What?”
“Run,” she said simply. “So I ran.”
The emotion hit her hard. Wrung out, sad, confused, she slumped on the couch, not able to keep up her defenses any longer. Quietly, Wolfe got up and disappeared. Came back with a pillow. He laid it gently under her head, tucked the covers around her, and smoothed her hair back. The tenderness of his touch made a purr sound deep in her throat. She closed her eyes and welcomed the darkness, where nothing else mattered and no thoughts were needed.
“The voice was right, sweetheart. It always is. And thank God you listened.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, but she was already sinking into sleep.
Seven
WHERE ARE WE going?”
After she’d moped around a bit, Wolfe declared they were going on a road trip to keep her mind occupied. After more cereal, and some grumbling, she agreed and climbed into the car.
“A place where dreams come true.”
“In a tiny hidden upstate town? Wait—is it the spa? I’d love that! We can do dual massages and mud body baths to release toxins. Arilyn has been begging me to do one but I haven’t had the time.”
“Not the spa. You couldn’t pay me enough to put mud on my body and release anything. I happen to like my toxins.”
“Oh.” She buckled her seat belt and thought hard. “Shopping? Women love shopping when they’re depressed. Not that I’m a big shopper, but I’d be willing to try it. I do love shoes.”
“I don’t. I want to have fun, too, not be slowly tortured by girly shit. This place will cover both of our needs.”