Wolf Born by Ann Gimpel

keep his distance, but he was so drawn to her, the plan went up like so much fairy dust. “I live in an arboretum. Maybe tomorrow after work you could come home with me and take a look. I keep greenhouses as well as outside plants, so something’s always blooming.”
    He heard her suck in a breath. “Oh, I’d love to…but it’s not a good idea.”
    “Why not?” Max chided himself the minute the words were out. He didn’t want her to feel boxed into a corner. “Um, sorry. Shouldn’t have asked you that. I respect your decision.”
    They exited the garage, and Audrey turned the car over to its nav system. She repositioned herself so she could look at him. “No, maybe we do need to talk about it. I’m much too attracted to you for my own good. I’ll be leaving the area soon, and it’s probably better if we don’t spend too much time together.” The expression on her face made his heart ache. Bittersweet, resigned, and fatalistic, she looked like an ancient warrior preparing to engage in a hopeless battle but determined to see the thing through to its conclusion.
    “I know I promised not to talk about your resignation. And I’m not, not exactly. I understand why you’d want to quit your job, but why do you have to leave Sacramento? If you weren’t working for me—” He bit back the next words. She’d obviously been sobbing her heart out in Loren’s arms. Not good to overload her with how much he wanted and needed her.
    “I have something important I have to do. It’s why I quit.”
    “What? Maybe I could help.”
    She shook her head. In the muted glow from the car’s interior lights, her eyes looked haunted. “You wouldn’t want to.”
    “Try me.”
    “Look. Could we let this drop please? We’re nearly at my house. What we should be talking about is how you want me to structure the time I have left before I leave.”
    Yes, but that’s not what I want to talk about. While he was working on what to say next, she pulled into a small parking lot adjacent to her building. With a mind of its own, Max’s hand covered one of hers. “Audrey.” His voice was raspy with denied need.
    She turned to face him. Her full lips trembled. He drew her toward him in the small confines of the car and covered her mouth with his. She tasted sweet, like summer wine. Her arms twined around his neck, and she opened her mouth beneath his. Max’s heart rate accelerated. He held her as close as he could, given the console between them. The musk of their combined arousal was fragrant in his nose. He could have held her for hours, reveling in her taste and smell.
    The lights from Max’s car lit the night when Johannes pulled up beside them. Audrey wrenched herself away and opened her door. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m going inside now, and you’re getting into your car and going home. If you follow me into my house, we both know what will happen.” A catch in her voice contradicted the resolve in her words; she exited the car and latched her door.
    If it weren’t for that damned meeting, I’d— Max unfolded his long legs and got out of the car. He caught up to her. “I’m not sorry, Audrey. You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever known. Not only that, you’re bright and inventive and—”
    “Stop. It will go to my head, and I’ll become insufferable. See you in the morning…boss.” She lengthened her stride and disappeared through a side door.
    “Are you going to just stand there all night?” Johannes called.
    Max sighed, walked toward his waiting car, and got in. “No, but I’d like to.”
    “Did you ask her about—?”
    “No. Tonight wasn’t the time. It’s only a ten minute drive from the office to her house, and I knew we needed to hustle home for the meeting you scheduled.”
    “You’ll have more opportunities to talk with her.”
    “Not all that many. One of the things she told me is she’s leaving town.”
    Johannes’ forehead creased as he ferried the car back onto