Then they'd definitely be getting there by nine. "So, basically, we're bait."
She nodded. "If they're worrying about us, they're not stealing little kids."
"Won't that just force them to run again?"
"Gran doesn't think so. She thinks it'll all end in Rogue River, one way or another."
"You put a damn lot of faith in your grandmother's visions, don't you?"
Her gaze flicked to his. "I have no reason not to."
And therein lay the cause of her remoteness. Trust. Or more precisely, his lack of it. "I'm a cop," he said softly. "We tend not to trust anyone."
She leaned back and studied him for several moments. "That's just an excuse."
Yes, and she was reading him better than anyone ever had. "It's nothing personal."
Her look suggested it was very personal. She took another sip of her wine, then said, "Why?"
He shrugged. "The nature of the beast, I think." And an easy scapegoat in situations like this.
"The beast being the werewolf rather than the cop?"
"Yeah." He hesitated, but knew he owed her at least some honesty. "I can't help the way I am. I don't need or want any complications in my life. All I'm after is a good time while the moon is full. After that, it's thanks for the sex, but bye-bye, sister."
"So there's never been anyone you've felt the slightest bit emotional about?"
"No." The lie slipped easily off his tongue. "And there won't ever be. As I said, it's the nature of the beast."
"So what lies between you and me — "
"Could be mind-blowing. But I won't allow it be anything more."
She studied him for a moment, eyes bright and judgmental. Then she nodded. He wondered if that meant she accepted his terms. He hoped so, because he had nothing else he was willing to offer. The waitress approached with their meals, and silence fell as they began to eat.
When she'd finished, Kat leaned back in the chair. Her legs brushed his, charging his skin with electricity and sending a flash-flood of heat to his groin.
"That was wonderful. All I need now is chocolate and my life would be complete."
Hopefully not too complete. He drew out the chocolate bar he'd bought earlier and offered it to her.
Her cheeks dimpled. "You're just trying to get back into my good graces."
"Most definitely." They still had half an hour of free time left, and he needed her so fiercely it was becoming painful.
She put the chocolate on the table then picked up her purse and stood. "I'll be back in a moment."
His gaze slid down her back to her honey-colored legs as she walked away. He fervently hoped she kept wearing overly tight tops and short, swirly skirts while he was around. A figure as good as hers shouldn't be hidden under layers of clothing. He glanced up as the waitress approached.
"Coffee?" she asked.
He nodded, and she filled both their cups. When Kat came back, she wrapped her hands around the cup and looked out the window. "Do you mind if we go for a quick walk after this? I need to get some fresh air before we start driving again."
He needed to get her alone, and if walking did that, then it was fine by him. He glanced out the window. "Would you like me to go get your coat from the car?
That wind can be pretty brisk around these parts, and it will be worse down near the waves."
A smile touched her full lips. "I'll be fine. Thanks."