Chapter 11- Invitation

Tuesday,  Susan grabbed a granola bar for breakfast, arrived at college early, and studied in the empty classroom until class started. Classes ended at noon and rather than drive home, Susan decided to study in the college library until time to begin work at 3PM. As she researched for a paper she had to write on a disease process, Travis walked up behind her, put his nose close to her neck, and took a deep breath to inhale her scent-wild flowers and fresh cut grass. Susan jumped, put her hand to her neck to make the hairs lay back down after Travis’s close proximity had made goosebumps form and the hair on her neck stood at attention. As she turned her head to look at Travis, shivers ran through her body and she couldn’t help but cross her arms over her stomach and try to shake it off. When she gasped, she got a strong whiff of what is uniquely Travis’ scent-pine and an unmistakably musky, male wolf scent.  

Everytime Susan responded to Travis like this, it made her irritated. She had always prided herself on being able to be cold and unattached as far as the male sex was concerned, but for some reason, Travis was different. She had to wonder: Is it that he is a wolf? I never reacted this way to anyone in our pack, and I was a horny teen wolf then.  Is it his scent? I do not believe in the nonsense about fated mates, so it cannot be that. We used to hear stories about mates when we were young of course, but they were just that, stories. “ What do you want Travis?” Susan snarked. Be nice, she thought...remember, Gannon wants you to get to know him and not give him a reason to be angry with us. As Susan looked up into Travis' eyes and then down to his million dollar smile, he looked anything but angry. Travis resembled a cat that had snuck the cream, while the farmer wasn’t looking; he was completely too satisfied with himself. Susan had to admit, begrudgingly, again… Travis really is the most handsome wolf..er man, she had ever seen. What the heck? I’m acting like a teen with a crush. Knock it off already! Susan’s wolf really liked having Travis close enough that she could smell his scent, see the color of his eyes, and appreciate his big smile and perfect teeth. In fact, her wolf liked it so much that Susan had the urge to moan or whine, or hell…. Howl. I’m in a library for Pete’s sake! Ugh.

“Remember, I told you I’d bring you an invitation for Saturday?” Travis held out an envelope but held it tightly as Susan tried to grab it. “It's casual, but nice casual.  Not that I’ve seen you in rags, but it wouldn’t be a good time to wear your holy jeans.” Travis smiled again, showing Susan he was teasing her. Susan rolled her eyes in return. Travis laughed at her gesture. “The bonfire starts at 7PM, but supper is served promptly at 5:30 PM. Try not to be late. There are directions inside the envelope, but this is for you and your family only, okay?”

Susan nodded and put the invite in her back pocket until later when she could open it and read it in private. “Thank you Travis. Between work and school, I don’t get out much.  It’ll be nice to be around some wool...errr people again.” This time, Susan winked at Travis to make sure he understood her meaning. 

Travis’ smile grew wider and he couldn’t fight the urge anymore to touch her.  He reached out and ran his hand down her hair slowly and felt the impact all the way to his groin. A slight moan left his lips as they parted at the reaction of his body to just a simple touch of Susan’s hair. Travis stared at her lips, thinking: If touching her hair feels this good, what would it be like to kiss her? 

Susan cleared her throat, breaking Travis out of his trance. “Okay..,” he said, “ well, I have to get to the weight room and then practice. If I don’t see you, I hope you have a good rest of your week, pretty lady.”

“Ah, it's Susan. I’m not sure if we were ever formally introduced. I go by Susan Bannon, not ‘pretty lady’.”  Susan was cryptically telling him Susan, hadn’t always been her name. Travis nodded with a more serious expression on his face, turned around, and walked away. Susan was stuck in her head again: he may be handsome, smell good, and okay, flips every switch I have, but Travis is a bit strange… Looking at her phone, she realized her alarm was about to go off to alert her it was time to go to work. Susan packed her books and computer, stopped to use the facilities and changed into scrubs, and left the college for her shift with Allie. By now, no doubt, Tracy could use some rest.