Brink Of Passion (Alpine Woods Shifters) by Sondrae Bennett Page A

any money, but that was only because of the whole fire hazard liability thing. As an invention, it had been brilliant. “Bacon is the greatest food that was ever invented. Everyone loves bacon.” At least, she’d always believed so.
    “I’m pretty sure bacon wasn’t invented. Besides, it’s just another breakfast food. There’s meat here.” Max turned his head left and right, gazing at other diners’ plates, before returning to her with a shrug.
    “Blaspheme.”
    Max laughed. “Blaspheme? About bacon?”
    “I think you need to leave.”
    She was kidding. Really. Had said it in jest.
    So when he stood, frowned in her direction, and walked out of the room, she was not just surprised, but upset. And she would have told him to stay, had opened her mouth to do just that, if he hadn’t moved so damn fast.
    As soon as he left, regret surged through her.
    “Way to chase away your mate,” Danny said, digging into his eggs.
    “Shut up.”
    Could he not pretend to be sympathetic? Or at least not rub her face in the fact she’d chased her mate away. Not like he’d been a perfect Romeo when he’d met his mate. All her brothers had screwed up in one way or another.
    Her wolf pulled at the bonds containing it which allowed her to be human. Begged her to chase after him. To bring him back. But Laurie chased after no man. When she saw him later, she’d apologize.
    If she saw him later.
    A surge of panic hit her in the gut. Her wolf howled, and Laurie bit her lip to keep the sound from escaping. The man had tracked her to the dining room. Of course she’d see him later. Besides, the convention started today. He wasn’t going to come all the way here and leave before the whole thing started. She knew where he was staying. Was sure she could pick out his room again. He couldn’t hide for long.
    Laurie picked up a sausage link, but frowned at it. Suddenly, she wasn’t as interested in food as she had been moments ago. Crap. She dropped the food back on her plate.
    Who would’ve thought they would have their first argument over bacon, of all things. Bacon was great. She loved it. But she wasn’t delusional. She knew it was just a breakfast food. Between the lobby yesterday and the bacon today, one thing was for sure. She was not on her A-game this weekend. Hell, even she’d recommend her foot start looking for real estate in her mouth if it was going to live there anyway.
    A Styrofoam take-out container landed in the middle of the table, jarring her out of her thoughts. She tilted her head up and looked up at Max standing behind her. He didn’t say anything, but raised his eyebrows and nodded at the container.
    Thank God she hadn’t scared him away permanently. Laurie could be brash at times, and sarcastic. Okay, she could be a real pain in the ass. But if he wanted to be her mate, he had to learn when she was kidding and could be poked back, and when to stay out of her way.
    She was reaching for the container when the smell hit her. Amazing it had taken so long. Usually, her nose would have picked it up the moment it entered the room. Maybe her thoughts had been in too great a turmoil, or maybe her brain had been unable to process the kitchen’s lack of bacon with the smell of it. Her gaze jumped to Max, before turning back and grabbing the container.
    There wasn’t just some bacon, or a serving of bacon. Inside, there was a whole heap of it.
    Laurie grabbed a piece and bit in, groaning as the fried meaty goodness exploded on her taste buds.
    “How?” she asked, reaching for a second piece. The cheetah at the next table eyed the container with interest. Laurie pulled it into her chest and growled at the man in warning.
    “There’s a diner a few doors down. I called it in on my way, and they had it ready by the time I got there.”
    “You got me bacon.” Laurie closed her eyes, savoring her fourth piece. So much better than flowers. She sensed Max move and heard his chair scrape against the floor as he sat back