Head Above Water (Gemini: A Black Dog #2) Read Online Free Page B

into the kitchen, he dropped off groceries from the list I’d texted him. He froze, one hand in the paper bag. “What the hell?”
    A bone-chilling snarl peppered the air.
    “Graeson.” Hand gripping the back of the bench seat, I scowled at him as he leapt off the bed and prowled closer. “Knock it off.”
    Armed with the first thing his hand closed over, a carrot, Isaac pointed its tapered orange tip at the slavering wolf. “ That’s Cord Graeson?”
    Scooting on my butt, I slid off the booth and between my cousin and my wolf. Not my wolf. No one tamed a warg. Graeson. He was just Graeson, and I would do well to remember that.
    “This is my favorite cousin, Isaac Cahill.” I disarmed him and took a bite out of the raw vegetable. “Isaac, this poodle really is Cord Graeson.”
    “I’ve never met a fanged-out warg,” Isaac said near my ear. “Is it safe to keep him in the house like this? Should you prop open the door or something in case he wants to go out?”
    Twirling the carrot in a whoop-de-do motion, I crossed to the entryway and pushed open the screen. With a snort, the wolf sat on his haunches. I cracked the door then returned to Isaac’s side in case Graeson got any ideas. He didn’t dart for the opening like Isaac appeared to hope he would. In fact, Graeson seemed more than content to sit in the middle of the trailer and block me from being able to put up my groceries.
    “He acts so…tame.” Isaac placed a hand on my shoulder. “Is this normal?”
    The wolf didn’t growl, but he did peel his black lips away from his teeth.
    Isaac removed his hand, and Graeson pretended the implied threat had been an innocent twitch of his muzzle.
    “I’m not sure what’s normal for wargs,” I admitted. “I’m giving him until bedtime, then I’m unpacking Grandmom’s sterling silverware and forking him until he takes the hint and leaves.”
    The wolf’s furry ears perked, but to a new sound or my bluff I wasn’t sure.
    “Pumpkin, did you get my rhubarb by mistake?” a breezy voice intruded.
    “Mom—” Isaac moved to intercept Aunt Dot.
    “Don’t manhandle me, Izzy.” Aunt Dot strolled into the living room, digging bony elbows into our sides as she headed for the kitchen. “I can take care of myself.” Seeing the bitten carrot gripped in my fist, she plucked it from my hand and dropped it into my favorite mug where it sat on the counter. “Slice these things first or you’ll break your teeth. Next time buy the baby ones or matchsticks for snacking.” After patting my cheek, she began sorting the contents of the bag. “Ah. Found it. I’ll buy your carrots next time to square the debt, okay, pumpkin?”
    The most pathetic whine in the history of wargdom had her pulling out her glasses and slipping them on her nose.
    Waiting for her full attention, Graeson sprawled out and then rolled over, exposing his white downy belly to my aunt.
    “He’s good,” Isaac murmured, newfound respect in his tone. At the same time Aunt Dot flung her rhubarb down and hit the floor on her knees, cooing, “What an absolute darling.”
    “Aunt Dot, this is Cord Graeson.” Whose tongue lolled from one side of his mouth. “Graeson, this is my Aunt Dot. Bite her, and you will regret it.” Isaac harrumphed. “Bite any member of my family, and you will regret it.”
    “Camille Annalise Ellis.” Aunt Dot glanced up from her vigorous belly-rubbing. “Cord is the first boyfriend you’ve ever brought home to meet the family—or brought the family to meet him. Don’t run him off with your sass.”
    “Me?” I spluttered. “He’s putting on an act.”
    “Wolves are animals,” Aunt Dot chided. “Their emotions and reactions are honest.”
    “He’s not a real wolf.” I felt a headache blossoming. “He’s a man wearing a fur suit.”
    “Give it up.” Isaac hooked an arm around my waist. “She’s already picturing what beautiful grandpups you guys will make together.”
    I stomped his instep. His groan,