Chapter 20

I toldmy secretary I would finish the day at five. I wanted time to unwind before dinner.

Sig had accompanied Talia to California, leaving only Sage and I in our wing.

I wanted the opportunity to spend time with the woman. I'd explained to Anton that I would keep an eye on her. Allowing humans too much time unsupervised could lead to problems. Hopefully, we could spend a few nights without interruptions.

His first response was that she should be locked in her room. After some discussion, he agreed to my plan, although he wasn't happy.

I dressed casually after my shower. I knew I had thirty minutes before we dined. My wolf wanted to find Sage. I headed to the hallway and sniffed the air.

She was working in the storage room.

I knocked on the open door twice. "Good evening."

She looked up, and it seemed to take her a moment to focus. "Bredon, hey."

I stepped further into the room. "I was hoping you would join me for a drink before dinner?"

She glanced at her wrist. "I didn't realize it was so late."

"What has you so engrossed?" I approached her worktable.

She looked sheepish. "Well, I dug around in a couple of the boxes in the back."

"That sounds…dusty." I smiled.

"It wasn't too dirty." She returned my smile. "I love looking at her early work."

"What do you see in it that interests you so much?" I was curious and wanted to learn more about my mate.

She motioned with her right hand for me to join her on the other side of the table. Then, she began turning the pages of the giant book where she stored the prints. "She has a clear idea of framing. You don't have to search to find what is the primary focus. She's straightforward. I think that makes her work accessible to everyone. You never wonder what is in a photo."

I liked how her voice was filled with warmth as she spoke of Talia's work. Sage loved talking about art.

"As time goes on, she experiments more with shadow." She took out a few prints for me to see. "Although, I love her photos that are stark the most." She selected the photo of the full moon on a snowy night. The other was of a bare tree.

I swore that I could see the brittle branches move in a slight breeze. "It feels like it is alive, not frozen in time."

"Exactly." She gave me a warm smile.

"Tell me more," I urged.

"Most view art with their eyes. I use my gut. I want to respond. I need to feel." She chewed on her bottom lip.

"I understand. Art holds much beauty, but a true masterpiece needs to be more."

"We could debate for days what beauty means." She took the photo from my hand and put it away.

"That sounds fun." I wanted to spend more time with her.

"Something tells me you're too busy for such things." She stood and returned the book to a nearby shelf.

"For a long time, I only had my work," I explained slowly. My wolf did not like admitting to any shortcomings.

She paused and stayed by the shelves, not returning to her chair. "You know what they say about all work and no play, right?"

"I probably do seem dull to you." My wolf and I waited for her response.

"I don't know you well enough to have an opinion." She glanced away nervously.

"Come have a drink with me." I stood and waited for her response.

"Will you tell me entertaining stories about yourself and your friends?"

"I will."

"Okay. Then we can eat. I skipped lunch." She followed me from the room.

I led her to the bar close to our dining room's entrance. "We have several bottles of wine. What do you desire?"

"Honestly, I'm not a fan of wine." She wrinkled her nose.

"Something else, perhaps?" I had a full bar.

"I'd like a whisky and soda."

"Coming right up." I chose the same. After serving her and giving her time to take a sip. I asked, "With Talia away, do you plan on working every day?"

"What else would I do?"

"We could take out a sleigh. It will be chilly, but you should be fine if the wind isn't too high."

Her eyes widened. "I'd like to see what's out there." She flicked her hand toward the windows. "If you have time, I'd love to."

"I will make time."

"Otherwise, I'll work. I mean, that's what I'm getting paid to do." She looked down at her drink.

"Talia would not begrudge you for taking time off," I told her. "You have accomplished much."

"I'd like to believe you." She still was uneasy.

"You can," I encouraged.

She studied me for a moment. "You could be dangerous." She pushed her glass away from her. "Handsome and smart; I will need my wits around you."

"You will be fine." I covered her hand with mine. "When I'm with you, I cannot think straight. I only want to be with you, listening to your voice, learning your thoughts, and admiring your beauty."

Her gaze searched my face as if trying to read my mind. "Wow." She grinned mischievously. "And I thought you didn't have any game."

"What game? I do not understand," I bristled.

She let out a sigh. "It means…uh." She again chewed on her lower lip. "Game refers to flirting. If you've got game, then you're good at flirting."

"Ahh." I grinned. "You enjoy my flirting." My wolf wanted to preen.

She was smiling, and her cheeks were pink. "Maybe I do."