Pivotal Moments (In Time #1) by Trinity Hanrahan Read Free Book Online Page B

okay?” His tone was practically pleading. Something akin to fear, and a great deal of anxiety, radiated from Teagan’s eyes. I pulled my hand back. What was going on? “Slowly stand up and step back, okay?”
    I nodded and did as he instructed. Zver continued to sit and stare at me. I met Teagan’s uptight gaze. “What does he want? Why won’t he eat?” I took a step toward where Teagan was standing. Just as I edged within reach, he leaned forward and jerked me back behind him. I squeaked. His broad shoulders rose and fell quickly, his back tense.
    He glanced back and caught my gaze for a moment, then turned around to face me fully. His hand wrapped around my upper arm, pulling me a little closer. His gray eyes had darkened to pewter, and he was flushed. I bit my lip as he glanced up and down my body, searching for something. Satisfied that all was well, he met my gaze.
    “Never mess with his food bowl, Aislinn.” He took a deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily before opening them again and gazing into mine with intensity. “I should have explained last night—Zver’s very protective of his food. We’re lucky this time, but I can’t guarantee it’ll happen again. Please, if you feed him, just put it in the bowl and back away, okay?”
    I nodded with a new measure of respect for Zver and Teagan both. Then I remembered the dog wouldn’t eat. “I told him to sit, and then I put the food in his bowl,” I said. “But he wouldn’t take it. That’s why I picked it up.” Teagan lifted a shaky hand and scrubbed it over his face. He still hadn’t let me go, and the warmth was getting distracting. I made myself focus. “Why wouldn’t he start eating?”
    “He has to be told that he can. But if he isn’t given permission, he could get frustrated—he might attack for it.” He looked over his shoulder. “Zver!” The dog’s ears perked. “Yest!” At that, Zver all but pounced on his food bowl and began devouring his chili.
    “I’m sorry, Teagan. I didn’t know.”
    His hand slowly slid down my arm until he got to my wrist. I shivered slightly, blushing. He sighed, shaking his head. “It’s my fault. I should have said something last night.” He paused, then grinned. “You told him to sit, huh?”
    I nodded, basking under his smile. “Yeah. I actually remembered the word.”
    Teagan chuckled. “Good job. I’m just surprised he listened to you—he won’t do a damn thing Connor says.” He glanced over my shoulder and grinned at my brother.
    I turned to comment, only to find Connor wasn’t paying any attention to our exchange. Instead, he was staring at Penny. She was frozen, watching the scene that had just unfolded between me, Teagan, and Zver. She looked at me and swallowed hard.
    “Oh-kay,” she said slowly. “So…that was intense. Yet another reason I don’t want a dog.” Shaking herself out of her state, she turned her attention to Connor. A wide grin spread over her face. “Hey, Connor!”
    Connor opened his mouth to speak, closed it, and then repeated the process. This was interesting. He’d never had a problem talking to Penny before. Actually, to be honest, he’d never had a problem taunting the ever loving shit out of her—there was no talking involved. But then, Penny had changed a lot over the past two years since he’d last seen her. It made one wonder.
    A squeeze on my arm pulled me out of my thoughts. Teagan was watching me. I bit my lip and fought the inevitable blush. I really needed to get a handle on this. I was getting tired of blushing every time I came within twenty feet of this guy. I raised an eyebrow.
    He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “I thought they didn’t get along?”
    Dear sweet mother in heaven, it took everything I possessed not to let out a groan when his warm breath washed over my neck. Sweat was still glistening on his shoulders; neither of them had showered yet. Frankly, Teagan could have smelled like ten day old gym socks and I