Call of the Wolf Read Online Free PDF Page A

made the last comment.
    Actually, it was a little more than just flirtatious. It looked downright openly sexual as it paused on Seth significantly for several moments and then switched to Cameron before she finally settled her gaze speculatively on Abby. “What brings you here if you didn't come for the festival?"
    Aside from the fact that the woman's tone set her back up, Abby wasn't particularly thrilled to be in Ajax at all. She smiled with an effort. “A job. I'll be teaching K-5 at Ajax Elementary."
    Julie's blond brows rose almost to her hairline. “You're a teacher?” She paused. “I don't suppose there's much teaching involved with pre-schoolers, though, is there?"
    Abby would've been willing to agree with her right up until that moment. “It's certainly a challenge trying to teach young children, but then that's what I've always loved about teaching—helping to mold young minds,” she lied, smiling through her teeth. “You must find your own career so much more rewarding. Convincing women to part with their hard earned money for over-priced clothes and unnecessary accessories can't be easy.” She batted her eyelashes at the woman.
    Julie flushed but maintained her smile. “It is rewarding—particularly when I have someone like you to work with. For instance—don't take offense—but neither the color nor the lines of that ... dress are particularly flattering. You're too short to carry something like that off. It just makes you look dumpier ... uh ... shorter."
    It was hard to think of a retort to that, particularly when she completely agreed. “Oh, well style and teaching don't really go together. Parents like to feel that the teacher's focused on teaching, not the fathers of their students. I did notice your ensemble was very flattering to your figure, though. I'd always heard that it was best to stick to solid colors unless you have a particularly nice feature you want to draw attention to and, of course, the flowing lines can hide a multitude of defects in the figure. The wide belt is a nice touch. It actually makes your waist look small ... uh ... er,” Abby replied, smiling sweetly at the other woman.
    "I see you're a woman who enjoys living dangerously, chère ,” Cameron said in an audible whisper near her ear, his voice shaking with suppressed laughter. “You doan, by chance, have a partner for the dance Friday? ‘Cause if you doan, I might be available."
    Abby couldn't help but laugh. “You're an outrageous flirt. You know that, of course?"
    He tried to look wounded but amusement danced in his eyes.
    "She only arrived this afternoon,” Seth said in a sardonic drawl. “I doubt she's had time to field many invitations, but I'd intended to offer to escort her myself."
    Abby sent him a quick look of surprise, feeling her face heat uncomfortably. Dragging her gaze from him after a moment, she glanced around at the other diners, trying to decide how to respond. Everyone at the table, it appeared, sensed the hostility wafting between the two men on either side of her—for everyone had tensed.
    "Actually,” Adrian drawled. “I thought I'd ask her myself."
    When had she become the belle of the ball, Abby wondered uneasily? “Actually,” she managed to say finally, “as much as she appreciates the invitations, she didn't know anything about the dance and she probably won't be going at all."
    "Good thinking,” Beth said approvingly. “Don't let them corner you into choosing now. You can do that at the dance."
    The comment, thankfully, earned the older woman several unfriendly glances—to which she seemed completely oblivious—but it effectively drew the men's attention away from her. She considered reaffirming her decision not to go to the dance at all, but she didn't particularly want to draw the men's attention back to her. “The food was wonderful!” she said instead. “I can't thank you enough for inviting me. Can I help you with clean up?"
    Beth waved a hand at her. “Don't be