Reluctantly Lycan by Jez Strider Page A

girls.
    She twirled the tip of her single black braid with her finger as she studied him. “All the tourists say that. If they find their way here. People come from far away for our handmade crafts, mostly the weapons.”
    Taylor picked up a large knife that Rambo himself would have appreciated. “You make these?” He grinned at the woman.
    “Not quite.” She laughed and gave the cutest little snort on her inhale. Her hands immediately went up to cover her mouth and nose.
    He laughed lightly. “Never hide that which is astonishingly adorable. So, who does make them? I’d be interested in doing an interview.” The camera around his neck was lifted to indicate he was a reporter.
    “Most of it was made by the previous owner before he died. His son does some, but not as much. I have made a few of the dreamcatchers.” She lifted one off a hook behind her and offered it to him. “See?”
    Taylor moved closer, leaning on the counter and looking into her amber eyes as he accepted the item she’d made. “Lovely.” He said in a low tone, not yet examining the craftsmanship, but still gazing at her.
    She blushed, only a hint of rose reaching her high cheeks. “I work here full time now. Before school let out for the year, I was only here after morning classes.”
    Underage. Taylor thought, having to force himself not to swear in frustration. He finally carefully ran his fingertips over the feathers and beads. “High school?” He asked casually.
    “Graduated with honors a couple of weeks ago.”
    “Impressive.” He glanced at her shirt, checking for a name badge. “What’s your name?”
    “ Brynnara.”
    “I’m Taylor. Do you mind if I call you Brynn?”
    She smiled. “Most of my friends do since it’s a stupid name.”
    Taylor tugged his wallet out of his back pocket and handed her a fifty dollar bill. “I like it. It’s different. So, Brynn. Think you can get me an exclusive with the owner?”
    Her smile faded a little. “He’s kind of… not sociable.”
    “Your boss is an asshole. I get that. My editor sure is.” He let out a grunt of a sigh to go along with the lie.
    “No, I’d never say that about Kaden. Never . Like I said, he’s not a people person.” She began making change for his purchase of the dreamcatcher.
    “Keep it. You deserve it.” He winked.
    “Are you sure? It doesn’t cost nearly that much. I’m not even that good at making them.”
    “I’m sure yours are the best.” He glanced around the shop. “You eighteen yet, Brynn?”
    “My birthday is coming up this summer. Dreading it, though.”
    Taylor lifted his right eyebrow. “I thought girls looked forward to their eighteenth birthday. I still get excited for m y normal ones. Who doesn’t love cake?”
    Brynn hesitated. “It’s a family thing. Stressful traditions.”
    “Like what? I could take you out to dinner instead.” He asked in a soft, nonthreatening tone.
    She leaned forward on the counter, only inches from him and spoke in a whisper. “It’s like something I can’t miss, but we could go out to dinner before.” She grinned and gave a brief giggle. Cute, but not sounding like too much of an airhead.
    “Hmm. I’ll take that deal.” He smiled. “I was wondering something else. I’ve heard a few rumors… about werewolves in these parts. Should I be worried?”
    Without hesitation she shook her head back and forth. “That’s silly. You might see a black bear if you look hard enough.”
    “Good to know. Can I get your number before I go, Brynn?”
    She picked up one of the store business cards, wrote her name on the back, and handed it to Taylor. Brynnara Hanson .
    “You’ll have to call the store. My brothers get pissed if I try to date guys they don’t approve of.”
    “I’ll remember that. May I?” He reached out his hand like he wanted to shake hers. When she offered, he flipped it over and wrote his cell number on her palm. “Keep our plans a secret for now, so the brothers don’t get