Beauty and the Wolf

by Lynn Richards

  He held up his hand when she started to speak. “Not a word. Not a goddamn word.”

  He continued on to the sanctuary of his inner office stopping short at the sight of his father behind his desk. The man was cool and relaxed, as if he’d never left the helm. Sometimes he thought he’d misjudged his father’s abilities.

  “What are you doing here? Interfering in my life? Again?” It pissed him off to know his father knew he’d found his mate. Well, to be honest he was pissed off because his cock was so hard he could hammer nails with it. Cliché, but that’s how he, it, felt.

  All he’d wanted to do was lift Sophie onto the conference table, strip off her clothes, and bury his face between her thighs. She’d smelled of arousal and yes, a little fear, but the wolf enjoyed that. He enjoyed the thought of pursuing her, calming her, and finally claiming her. The man enjoyed that thought as well.

  He didn’t know what it was about Sophie’s lush body that drew him. She was nothing like the women he had dated in the past. She was a voluptuous woman. Her curves were genuine and plentiful. She was not pencil thin to the point of emancipation as many women in today’s world. She reminded him of the women in the Victorian age. God, he’d loved that era. A nice ass to hold on to when you pounded inside a woman. He’d forgotten that until Sophie.

  He pictured her beneath him. Her gorgeous legs wrapped around his waist, her hips and breasts bouncing with each thrust of his body. He’d crush her to the bed and take her hard and fast, knowing she could take his weight and his size. Only by an iron will did he stop the cum from leaving his body. Damn, but he wanted her.

  He stalked across the room and barely resisted the urge to take his father by the throat and yank him out of the chair. “Again, what the hell are you doing in here?”

  “Just wanted to make sure everything was okay.” He picked up a remote to reveal a panel of screens.

  Jake’s gaze swept across the security screens, zeroing in on the one in the conference room. “Well, shit.”

  He’d totally forgotten about the security cameras. He had a feed in his office for all the cameras around the building. He liked having eyes and ears on everything under his control. Since some pack business was conducted in the conference room, all meetings were recorded. During the meetings, security watched just in case a member got a little carried away. It was hard to control the wolf when strong emotions took hold.

  “Well shit,” he repeated.

  If he had given into his impulses and taken Sophie on the conference table it would have been recorded for all of prosperity. Not that he would have minded for himself, he’d fucked women in crowds before, things had gotten a little wild in the sixties after all. But to have anyone see Sophie spread out all in all her glory was not gonna happen.

  Ever.

  A growl escaped.

  “Don’t worry, I came in here as soon as I left the meeting. I stopped the recording and feed to security. Not that much happened.”

  Another growl as his son realized his father had seen the whole damn thing.

  “What? I had to make sure Sophie was okay.” Robert was more than pleased at the jealously Jake was emanating. Even if it was toward his own father. A potential threat to a mate was a threat to a mate, no matter what the familial relationship.

  This time Jake snarled.

  “Out.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder indicating his father should vacate the executive leather chair. “You gave up rights to that chair years ago.”

  The man rose but didn’t go far. He leaned against the edge of the wooden desk.

  “What happens now?”

  His father had seen the kiss he’d given Sophie and knew, even as brief as it had been, he hadn’t given it lightly. It had taken all his control not to deepen it into something more, not to claim her right then and right there. His father knew what seeing her surrounded by that many males had done to his wolf. It had made him want to claim her with little finesse or reason.

  Jake threw down the pen he had just picked up and leaned back in the chair. His pose was not nearly as relaxed as his father’s had been. “Damned if I know.”

  “When did you know?” There was no more pretending. Sophie was his mate.

  Several minutes passed before Jake answered. “The day I came back from Europe.”

  He had returned to the country almost four months ago after an extended stay in the European division of Anderson Trading. Things hadn’t been quite right in that office for a couple of years but his father hadn’t wanted to deal with the issue. The issue of getting rid of a few pack members. After Jake had sorted everything out almost ten people had lost their jobs both in Europe and in the United States. They had not been happy wolves.

  Sophie was hired a week before he returned. The minute he’d stepped into the building he’d known. Now every time he walked into the lobby he smelled her. He smelled her everywhere.

  It was slowly driving him insane.

  His father whistled. “Four months without sex. That’s a long time, son. One minute you’re thinking of how much tail you can get and the next you’re cursing because you know you won’t be getting any from anyone else ever again.”

  “Crude, Dad, real crude.”

  The elder Anderson just shrugged. “I didn’t make the rules, son.”

  “Was it like that with you and mom?”

  Robert straightened. “I don’t want to talk about your mother, Jake.”

  His father’s voice was angry. Jake knew he was still grieving for his mother. He didn’t know how he would survive if something happened to Sophie.

  But he knew his father still deserved a chance at more happiness. It was time to pull his father back into the land of the living.

  “I loved mom and I know you loved her too, but you need to move on. She wouldn’t have wanted you to be alone for the rest of your life.” A wolf’s life span was more than triple the average human’s. That amount of time could seem like eternity without someone to love.

  * * * * *

  Sophie saw more of Jake in the next two weeks than she had seen him in the last year she had worked at Anderson Trading. Everywhere she went, there he was. Holding a conference in the hallway, talking to an employee in the cafeteria. She swore to God that he had not frequented the cafeteria ever before.

  “What’s bugging you?” Mary Ann asked. They were in the women’s restroom, repairing their hair and makeup before going to lunch.

  “He’s everywhere.”

  “Who’s everywhere?”

  Sophie scowled at her friend’s reflection in the mirror. “Don’t give me that innocent look, you know who.”

  Mary Ann grinned and stroked on a deep cheery red lipstick. “It is as if he’s getting out more, isn’t it?”

  “He used to stay holed up in office from dusk to dawn, now it seems like I trip over him going to the bathroom.”

  “It’s just coincidence. Now that you’ve decided to do something about him you’re just noticing him more.” She frowned at her friend. “You are going to keep trying to do something about him, right?”

  “Yes.” Sophie’s answer was almost a growl.

  Mary Ann kept the other thoughts to herself. She knew for a fact that Jake was out of the office more and more. And she knew that her boss was stalking her friend. At first it had been her own subtle maneuvering that had sent the CEO out and about. A suggestion to meet with an employee in their own office when she knew Sophie had to deliver something, or meet with his father in the cafeteria for a mid-morning coffee just when Sophie had been getting hers. In fact, his father had arranged some of those meetings. It made her feel good to know someone else thought Sophie and Jake were made for each other. It also felt damn good to play fairy godmother. She glanced at her watch. Almost perfect timing.

  “Are you ready? I know you need to get those files to marketing before lunch.
” Setting on the counter was an armful of manila folders. Legal had gone over the new advertising campaigns and they were now ready to launch.

  Sophie made one last pout in the mirror then put away her own lipstick. It was a very safe, very light, almost not there pink. In fact it might even be considered lip gloss. She signed, she couldn’t pull off the deep red her friend did, it made her look like a made up doll. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  She picked up the folders and walked through the door Mary Ann held open. She turned to the right and headed toward the bank of elevators.

  “Are we going out to eat tonight?” She kept walking, talking to her friend over her shoulder.

  And plowed straight into a wall. A very hard, breathing, flexing wall. Of muscle.

  “Oomph.” The breath was knocked out of her and the folders cascaded to the floor.

  “I’ve got you, Sophie.” The words were spoken in her ear as her momentum continued to carry her forward. Large hands gripped her shoulders to prevent her from falling.

  “Oh, Mr. Anderson, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing I saw you, now isn’t it. Let me help you.” He grinned as he knelt before her tidying the folders into a neat pile.

  Over his head, Mary Ann grinned.

  What should I do? Sophie mouthed.

  Mary Ann shrugged her shoulders. Hopefully Sophie wouldn’t have to do anything.

  And she was right.

  Jake’s hand slid up her leg, cupping her calf. Today she’d worn a flared skirt and gypsy like blouse with sandals and no hose. His hand touched her bare leg and she almost swooned at the sensation.

  “Nice,” he said, stroking her leg up and down. “Real nice.”

  “Jake!”

  He straightened, the folders safely tucked under one arm. “Now that’s what I like to hear, the sound of my name on a beautiful woman’s lips.”

  Sophie just stood and stared at him. His dark brown eyes were twinkling and his mouth curved into a roguish grin. She sighed. He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

  When she didn’t move, and lord knew she didn’t want to, he held the folders out to her. After a moment, she took them.

  Jake turned to Mary Ann. “So the two of you are going out? Allow me to buy you dinner. I think that would be a good idea, don’t you Mary Ann?”

  His secretary’s eyes opened wide as she realized Jake was asking her permission to take out Sophie. “I think that would be a wonderful idea.”

  His father stepped from the elevator and gave the group a satisfied grin. “Am I interpreting something?”

  “I was just inviting these two beautiful ladies out to dinner, Dad.”

  “I always knew you had wonderful taste in women, son. Now you’ve just proven it.”

  “Would you like to join us?” Jake asked silkily.

  “Sounds like a plan to me.” He knew the invitation wasn’t heartfelt, but he just loved to poke at the wolf inside his son. Besides, Jake needed him to entertain Mary Ann while he seduced Sophie. Now that he thought about it, Jake’s secretary was a very beautiful woman. Maybe it was time to take his son’s advice. He knew his mate wouldn’t have wanted him to spend his remaining years alone. It would be no hardship spending time with Sophie’s friend. Besides, he owed her a word of thanks for helping his son.

  Sophie looked from one man to the other then to her friend.

  “So we’ll pick you up at seven o’clock. Put on your dancing shoes.” Jake reached out and tapped Sophie gently on her chin. “Close your mouth, Ms. Abbott.”

  He turned and walked away, his father following at a leisurely pace.

  “What just happened?” Sophie asked, clutching the forgotten folders to her chest.

  Mary Ann grinned. “I think you just got asked out by my boss.”

  * * * * *

  Jake stopped the car in front of one of the best restaurants in town. A valet stood at the curb waiting to park the car. Sophie felt underdressed even though Mary Ann had insisted she looked wonderful in her silky sundress. Sophie had insisted on wearing a cover up with it.

  “Go inside and see if they have a table for us, Dad.”

  His father didn’t contradict his son, even though both men knew all either had to do was show up at the door and a table was theirs. The restaurant was run by one of the families in the pack.

  Robert got out, which signaled the valet to open the door for Mary Ann. A quietly spoken word halted his move toward Sophie’s.

  Jake sat in the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel, his head slightly bowed. Sophie was suddenly racked with doubts. Why in the world had Jake Anderson asked her out? Images of the women he’d dated in the past played in her mind. Seeing his obvious distress at the situation he now found himself in, she willed the tears away. She would never be one of the tall leggy blondes he was always dating. So she would never be what he wanted or needed.

  “You can take me back to the apartment. It’s okay. I understand that you might have been caught up in the moment. It is nice to flirt with someone, isn’t? I hope you let Mary Ann finish the evening, she’s very good friend and deserves a night out.” She stopped talking. She knew she rambled, but she’d had to say something. The silence in the car was unbearable.

  “I’m sure Mary Ann and my father will have a pleasant meal.” He did not move or lift his head.

  “That’s good.” Sophie wrung her hands together. She was so totally out of her depth with this man.

  “Have you flirted with many men, Sophie?” He turned his head and for a brief moment she saw that same flash of gold in his eyes that she’d seen in his office.

  Her eyes widened. Before she could speak, he opened his door and walked around the car. She didn’t know what was said to the man waiting to open her door, but he stepped back hastily and Jake was there, taking her arm and helping her out.

  The restaurant set back from the street, an awning protecting the goers from either the rain or the sun. Small pathways lead around the building. If she wasn’t mistaken, there was a garden in back with open air dining.

  Jake’s hand was firm beneath her elbow as they walked. When they reached a path, he turned.

  “Are we eating outside?” she asked. She hadn’t seen which way his father and Mary Ann had entered.

  “No.” The word was low, almost a growl. “There’s something I need to do first.”

  Suddenly he was walking faster and Sophie fell slightly behind but she hurried to keep up. Before she could catch her breath or steady herself, two hundred pounds of man pressed her against the side of the building.

  Jake flattened his hands against the stucco of the restaurant on either side of Sophie’s head, caging her in. His body covered hers, barely stopping short of touching. She clasped her shiny black purse with both hands and blinked rapidly, trying no doubt to understand what was happening.

  Hell if he knew either. He just stood there a moment breathing in her scent as it mingled with the flowers that surrounded them. No one could see, he had moved them into the shadows. He could do anything he wanted to her and no one would know. He could inch her dress up, smooth his hands up those luscious thighs and pull them slightly apart. From there he could spear his fingers through her wetness, stroking her, readying her for his cock before he turned her around and entered her from behind.

  His hands moved as though to do just that.

  “Jake, what’s wrong?”

  Her quietly spoken question stopped him. Just.

  He moved one hand to push her hair behind her ear. Tonight she had left is down. The soft brown color was nothing to write home about, but it suited her well. It was shiny and thick and not covered in layers of hair products so many of his dates used.

  “I need to kiss you again.”

  Sophie looked into Jake’s eyes, their co
lor was normal now, even though the brown was the darkest shade of brown that she had ever seen. She’d convinced herself that she had imaged those movements when his eyes had glowed golden. Nothing outside the lion kingdom had gold eyes.

  “That would be alright.” Her voice sound prim and proper like something straight out of a regency romance novel.

  “Good.”

  He lowered his head and Sophie closed her eyes. The press of his lips was nothing like the quick hard kiss he had given her in the conference room. This one was soft and compelling. Barely there. She sighed in regret when his lips left hers. It was so nice to be kissed by a man. Nicer still to be kissed by the man you loved. Even if she didn’t really know what was driving him at the moment.

  Before she could open her eyes and return to reality, his lips were back. No longer soft and gentle, they ravaged. His tongue thrust inside her mouth without warning, almost as if he were claiming her.

  Her purse dropped to the ground and she lifted her arms to encircle his neck. As though that movement had given him permission, he pulled her from the wall and pressed her body against his.

  Sophie moaned at the feel of his hard body against her curves. His size made her feel so small, so normal. Her head barely peeked past his shoulder.

  The kiss went on and on. Her tongue dueled with his, each learning the taste and texture of the other. His arms tightened, but she loved it. Her breasts were crushed against his hard chest, delighting her with the feel, even if slightly painful. His hand moved to her backside, clenching and squeezing. Again almost to the point of pain, but she loved that too. Her leg moved of its on accord, lifting to hug his hip. His hand followed the length of her thigh, helping her.

  “Touch me, Sophie. Please dear God, touch me.”

  There was a hint of steely command in Jake’s voice that Sophie could not disobey. Her hands left his neck to run across his chest.

  “No damn it, not there.” Jake pressed her back against the building, the wall supporting her as he moved slightly away. His hand still held her thigh high. She was helpless against his maneuvering.

  “Here,” he commanded, taking her hand. “Touch me here.”