Chapter 51

Communication was always welcome, but he had a sinking suspicion she didn't tell him everything. And that was okay, because he didn't either. But he sometimes wanted to pry out those secrets that had him first drawn to her.

Vanessa was feeling the aftermath of their rendezvous as she always did. She turned around and nuzzled in his chest, her ear right above where his heart beat a steady rhythm. His long sure fingers stroked her hair, the lull of it finally registering how tired she was.

But first.

"I have to tell you something." Vanessa murmured into his chest and he thought he already knew where this was going.

"I…. The pup from the other day? I sneaked him out. He is here."

She confessed it in one breath, not prolonging it. And the moment words were out, she wished she could take them back. Because Noah stiffened in her arms, and she had to stand a good distance away to discern what the arcs of his face held under lock and key.

He was stiff out of anger. Out of clear overriding