giving her a wary look. “How did you know?”
Her mouth twitched. “It’s simple. I can mentally communicate with seals. But with you, I couldn’t.”
He winced. Why hadn’t he realized that? You didn’t want to. You didn’t want a reason to stop seeing her.
“And whenever you shifted into a river otter, you were far too large,” she continued with a grin. “You were as big as a sea otter—”
“All right,” he gritted out. So he hadn’t fooled her for a minute. All this time, he’d been the fool, dammit. “You should’ve told me months ago.”
Her smile vanished. “I couldn’t. I was afraid you would stop coming.”
He clenched his fists underwater. She was right. He would’ve stopped. He had never wanted her to know how much he cared.
She stepped toward him. “You’ve been missing for two months. Are you all right?”
“Yes.” He reminded himself to be firm. “You’re wasting my time for idle chitchat?”
Her expression flashed from concern to irritation. “Do you have any idea how worried everyone was? Where have you been?”
He shrugged. “I was doing my job. Everyone understands that.” He gave her a pointed look. “Except you.”
She huffed. “You came to see me every month for four years, then disappeared all of a sudden, and you didn’t expect me to be concerned?”
“No, I didn’t. I certainly didn’t expect you to come looking for me. Or bother the Seer because of me. I’m not your lost pet, Maeve. You want steady companionship, get a real dog.” He winced inwardly when she flinched, but forced himself to continue. “My welfare is none of your business. So go back to your own life—”
“Brody!” Her brow creased with exasperation. “I was worried sick about you.”
“Not my problem.”
Her mouth fell open. She glanced around for a moment as if searching for answers. “I was so excited about seeing you tonight. And when I did see you, I was so happy that I kissed you. But then I slapped you because you made me worry so much—”
“Not my problem,” he repeated firmly, even though the injured look on her face was ripping at his heart. He lifted his chin. “I have things I need to do, and you’re interfering. So go home—”
“Why are you acting like this?” When he merely shrugged, she huffed angrily. “Fine! I’ll go.” She dove underwater, headed for the shore, and he let out a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, she resurfaced and faced him. With a start, he realized the water only reached her waist now, and he could see the contours of her breasts, partially hidden beneath locks of long wet hair. Dammit! He spun around, putting his back to her. What the hell was she doing? Was she trying to seduce him?
“We could at least talk a little before I go.” Her siren voice softened his heart. And hardened his groin. He didn’t know which was more dangerous.
“I brought some food. And some clothes,” she continued. “Aren’t you hungry?”
Goddesses, yes. Just knowing that she was standing there, her breasts exposed, made him want to grab on to her and never let go. He tightened his fists. “You should get dressed.”
She made an impatient, dismissive noise. “We’re shifters. Occasional nudity is simply part of the process.”
Did she not realize how seductive she was? Don’t give in, he warned himself. “I didn’t come for conversation. I want you to go home. The Seer told me your future lies at Ebton Palace.”
“I don’t care what the Seer says. He’s rude and overbearing.”
Brody winced. Apparently, he’d overdone his autocratic Seer persona, and it had backfired. “But you clearly belong at Ebton. You have family there. You have suitors. You’ll have a happy life—”
“I don’t want those suitors. I have someone else in mind.”
A pang shot through his heart. No, Maeve, not me. “I have work to do. I don’t have time for this.”
“Ah.” Her voice sounded closer. “So you know I was referring to you.”
Yes! His heart celebrated. But as he turned toward her, his mind flailed with one last feeble attempt to reject her. She had moved toward him, deeper into the water, although he could still see the upper curves of her breasts. “Maeve, I’m not the one for you. I never will be.”
She halted, a pained look crossing her face. “We’ll discuss that later. Right now, I have something else I need to—”
“My thoughts will not change. Go home, where you will be safe.”
“I am not a child.”
“I know that.” All too well. He struggled to keep his gaze on her