The doc’s brows drew together. “What?”
Aric ignored the woman, keeping his attention on Rowan. “Come on. I’ll walk you to the infirmary so you can see Micah and I can put up with the doc poking on me.”
Realizing she was still gaping at him like a landed trout, and that his friends were glancing between them trying to figure out the private exchange, she schooled her expression and gave Aric a polite response.
“That would be nice, thanks.”
The party filed out of Aric’s quarters. Nick and Jax promised to visit Micah later, and left to attend to other business. Dr. Mallory issued firm orders for Aric not to waste time and get to the infirmary stat, and then stalked ahead at a rapid clip, leaving them alone.
“I can’t decide whether I like that woman or not,” Rowan said, mostly to herself.
“Melina’s a good person,” Aric said thoughtfully as they walked together. “But she was changed by the massacre as much as the rest of us. Our leader, Terry Noble, was her mate.”
A wave of sympathy washed over her. “Now I feel horrible.”
“Don’t. Melina wouldn’t thank you for showing an ounce of pity, so it’s best to be real around her.”
“Like it’s best with you?”
That visibly took him aback for a second, but then he agreed. “Yeah. She and I are a lot alike in that respect. I don’t do pity. We’re both prickly, too.”
“You might make a good couple.” The idea of Aric making up half of a good couple with anyone made her want to hurt someone. Weird.
He snorted. “Hell, no. I’m not interested in a woman who has bigger balls than me.”
“What, you have a problem with strong, career-minded women who don’t take shit off anybody? Who could maybe kick your ass?” She heard the defensive tone in her voice, and he must’ve as well.
“Hey, back up. I see where you’re going with that and you’re wrong,” he said earnestly. “I’m not one of those guys who gets his fragile ego wounded when he runs up against a female who can hold her own with any man. That’s not it at all. I’m talking about chemistry, and I’m not attracted to anyone—man or woman—who struts around acting like they’re the shit. Does that make sense?”
She thought a second. “Okay, I can buy that.”
“Gee, thanks.”
She smiled at his affronted tone. “Seriously, I’m with you there. I work with people like that, and while it doesn’t mean they’re bad, I just don’t relate to them. But I try to remember there are reasons people present themselves a certain way, and sometimes they’re covering deep hurt.”
“So could you kick my ass?” His lips quirked.
“Definitely, as long as it’s a fair fight.”
“Really? Criminals fight fair?” he teased.
“You know what I mean. You couldn’t let your wolf loose or turn me into ash.”
“Or toss you across the room without touching you. I’m a Telekinetic, too.”
“Good grief, anything else?”
“Nope, that’s all.”
“Well, thank God for small favors.”
She found herself enjoying this interplay between them. He seemed to be, too.
“So let me get this straight,” he said with mock seriousness. “You can go a round or three with me and win, as long as I don’t use my full abilities. I have to hold back. Hmm, hardly seems fair to me.”
“I prefer to think of it as choosing our weapons. I choose the ones we were born with—unless you’d like for me to even the odds by using a gun loaded with silver bullets.”
He laughed and slung an arm around her shoulders. “Okay, you win. Name the time and place.”
“Do you guys have someplace where you work out?” The heat from his side seared into her, and his male scent tantalized. Lord, being held against him felt damned good.
“We have a gym where we train, basically keep our skills in shape. It’s across the building not far from our rec room.”
“That’ll work. It’s a date, after the doctor clears you for strenuous activity.”
“There’s not a thing wrong with my stamina, as you know.” His smirk shot warmth straight to her toes.
And with no little discomfort, something she wasn’t used to. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on. Playing dumb doesn’t become you, officer.” Moving suddenly, he pushed her back against the nearest wall and trapped her with his arms, noses almost touching. “A blackjack table? Really? Naughty, naughty Rowan.”
“Rein it in, caveman,” she said, glancing up and down the hallway. “Someone might see.”
“That’s not what you told me a little while ago.” Leaning so close his breath fanned against the shell of her ear, he affected a falsetto. “Oooh, fuck me harder, wolf-man.”
“That is not what I said! Well, not exactly.”
“Yes, you beast, do me down and dirty!” His Rowan impression was punctuated by a laugh.
“Stop it!” But the order didn’t sound very convincing. Especially when she dissolved into a fit of giggles. God, when the hell was the last time a guy had made her giggle? But Aric was darned funny, when he wasn’t going out of his way to be defensive or snarky.
“Next time say it with a bit more oomph if you expect me to believe it.” Looking mighty smug, he pushed away from the wall and began to walk again. “Coming?”
“Already did,” she retorted.
Green eyes glittered with amusement. And there was that heat again, searing her to the core. “I like you, officer.”
“Good to know. You’re pretty okay, too.”
“I’ll accept that as high praise from you.”
“Trust me, it is.”
They walked slowly, by mutual consent, and Rowan thought he was as reluctant to reach their destination as she was. The silence was companionable, the discomfort of moments ago banished. She decided to chance a burning question.
“Do you think something is real if it happens only in the mind?” If she’d thought he’d take the opportunity to tease or make some witty retort, she was wrong.
“You’re talking about our mutual dream-fantasy.”
“Yes, but I also wondered in a broader sense. The idea is scary. Fascinating, too, I’ll admit.”
“Before I can answer that and have you believe what I say, you have to reconcile your perception of what’s real and what isn’t. You have to understand that what humans traditionally accept isn’t the only reality there is in the universe.”
She stared at him, impressed and pleased that he was taking her so seriously. “You’re pretty smart.”
“Not really. I’ve just had longer to come to terms with alternate reality.”
She thought about what he’d said about the universe. “I guess I have no choice but to believe.”
“Nope, no guessing. By now you’ve seen enough to know whether you do or don’t.”
“Okay, I do. But I don’t want to,” she clarified. “My brain still rebels against all of this stuff.”
“That’s fair. Then I can say yes—there are occasions when what happens in the mind is very real. Even better, I can prove it.”
“How?” Her fact-loving self liked this.
“Easy. Here, I’ll show you.” Grabbing her hand, he veered off course, turning down a different hallway.
“The doc isn’t going to like that you didn’t get your butt straight there like she said.”
“She’ll get over it. Besides, this will only take a couple of minutes.”
“That’s all? A few minutes to make me accept the ‘mind over matter’ theory?”
“I’ll let you be the judge.”