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wrong?” he asked.
    “My dad was the chair of the Russian Lit department at Tarker’s Hollow.”
    His eyebrows lifted.
    “Michael Connor? He was a legend in the field,” he said. “He was the whole reason I came to study here. You probably know more about this book than I do. I’m Julian Magie.”
    Ainsley smiled. It was gratifying to think that someone could admire her dad for something other than being the president of the furry monsters.
    “Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand. “Ainsley Connor.”
    “His passing was sad news for us all.”
    He took her hand and looked into her eyes. She waited for something weird to happen, for her senses to heighten, for a haze to appear around him, for the roof of the coffee shop to cave in.
    Nothing.
    Except for his gorgeous blue eyes, which were doing a very straightforward kind of magic on her, and one corner of his mouth, delicate and sensual, which was curving upward.
    Julian. The Russian Lit professor from New York.
    That was more her style.

Chapter 10
    E rik watched until Ainsley’s small form disappeared. When she was gone from his sight, he let out a long breath.
    Erik had always been popular with human women, who seemed drawn to his latent power. He found them intriguingly delicate, but it was like going through the motions compared to being with a wolf.
    And of course there were plenty of female wolves in his life. As a high-ranking young male he pretty much had his pick of willing partners in town. There was even interest from nearby packs, looking to forge alliances in these troubling times.
    But there was no one like Ainsley. She had the charms of a woman and the lure of a wolf, all at the same time. It was an intriguing combination.
    And they had a history. Though you wouldn’t have guessed it from the way their conversation began. Or the way it ended. He wasn’t sure why she was so mad at him, but he was sorry, whatever it was.
    The sweet smell of her scented lotions still hung in his nose along with the more alluring musky scent of Ainsley herself. His heart pounded as he remembered how she had drawn his alpha. Her plump lips had parted and the air vibrated with his lust. If that fence hadn’t been there he might have taken her before either of them changed their minds.
    He imagined what her soft little body might feel like in his arms. He would pin her down and latch onto her neck, burying himself in her exciting smell. Would she submit to him willingly like a human? Or would she give him a little fight like a wolf?
    She was a wolf, after all, even though she pretended not to be. Erik had never seen something so strange. Why would anyone not want to be a wolf?
    Erik nosed the air, his own wolf searching for a last whiff.
    With a sigh, he reined himself in. Ainsley was a childhood friend, and a pack VIP. And he wasn’t the kind of guy to lose his focus. Especially over a woman whose job was to choose the next alpha.
    He wondered idly what it would be like to be the alpha. The business was really taking off and work required most of his time. Erik knew he should hire a site manager, but he liked to be on the job himself – making sure the work was done to his standards. Plus, his wolf felt happiest outside in the fresh air. He would never have enough time to devote to pack business.
    On the other hand, having a hand in the inn and highway, he was in a unique position to help the town through some complicated transitions. They were set in their ways, but he knew the changes could be good for them. And they were a smart group – they would understand if he presented it properly.
    And to do it all with delicious, high-strung, Ainsley Connor warm and waiting in his bed? He would have to be crazy to not find that part appealing.
    He was sure she would choose an academic like her dad. And that was just fine.
    But there was no reason he couldn’t spend some time with her. They’d been good friends as children – until middle school when she’d gotten