by Zoe Chant
“Fat girl getting a snack,” she said. “Don’t be alarmed.”
“You’re not—” He paused. “I wouldn’t—” He shook his head. “I just met you,” he said. “I know you didn’t want me here, but—why would you think—”
“Because everyone does,” she said. She walked over to the cupboard and got out a glass. “Trust me, I know. I’ve seen it before. I’m not angry.”
“I’m not—” She could hear him standing up. “You’re beautiful. Who the hell says things like that?” He sounded like he meant it.
“Don’t play dumb,” she said, opening the refrigerator. “Maybe you haven’t said it, but you’ve heard people who did.”
“That doesn’t mean I will,” he said. “Doesn’t mean I would. I’m not much for skinny girls.”
“Poor Ophelia,” she said. “She’ll be broken-hearted.”
He chuckled. “Probably.”
“You want something?”
“I had enough at the party,” he said.
“I just want milk,” she said. “Believe it or not.”
“I don’t know why you think the worst of me,” he said.
“You don’t date a lot of men,” she said. It usually came out sooner or later.
“‘Fraid not.” He held the refrigerator door for her. “And I don’t spend a lot of time with guys who would say that stuff. That’s another advantage of the work I do. Ian picks his people pretty carefully. You’re a jerk, you don’t stay on the crew.”
Well, that sure sounded nice, but Lucy had heard what ‘the crew’ could say when the boss was left behind. “I figured you’d be outside by now.”
“We had a blind spot,” he said. “Had to put up a new camera. I wanted to mark it for you guys, and we’re trying to figure out if we’ve got enough coverage. We want to keep the equipment minimal, but we’re not doing our job if there’s a blind spot in there. If it’s an animal, it doesn’t need a lot of room to sneak through without us knowing. And you don’t want us doing all this work to not have any answers.”
She poured herself a glass of milk.
“You’re an artist, right? You know angles. Take a look.”
She walked over to the table. He had sketched out the range of each camera with pencil.
“This is where our blind spot was,” he said, tapping. “The corner of the house—you see?”
She could. She could see why they wouldn’t have seen it at first, too. “So what now?”
“Well, we’re gonna leave a note telling you guys where it is, and then it’s back to work. I feel like I’m missing something, though.”
“Aren’t we paying you not to miss things?”
He looked back at him, and his eyes seemed amused, not insulted. “You’re paying me to do the best job possible. If you don’t ask for second opinions, you’re not doing the best job possible.”
“I don’t see anything you could possibly be missing,” she said. “You’ve got the cameras, you’ve got the motion detectors—are you recording anything?”
“We record everything,” he said. “Are you asking if we’re picking up sound? ‘Cause we do that too.”
She nodded. “All five senses, right? Though I guess you don’t smell people out.”
“We’re going to bring Remus in to do that tomorrow.”
“The dog?”
He nodded. “Every sense is covered.” He waggled a finger. “The Okami guarantee.”
“Okay, then,” she said. “You think anything will happen tonight?”
“Hard to say,” he said. “If it’s an animal, then I’d figure the odds are fifty-fifty. Sometimes they just move in no matter what, sometimes they smell us, get confused. They’ll come back pretty soon, though, ‘cause they won’t see anything new. Humans? Harder to say. We’ll move Ian’s car out tomorrow night, like we’ve left, and there’s a spot at the back of the property where we can park, get out of the way. Then it’s just a question of waiting. It takes too long, we move out altogether and one of us comes back and stays downstairs. But we hope it won’t come to that, it’s pretty disruptive.” He circled the front door with his finger. “You guys have a right to privacy once you come in here, you know? We’re here because we want you to live your lives without any worry.”
His hands were big, broad. He didn’t look like he worked with his hands. Though she guessed he probably didn’t, not like someone who worked in construction or something would.
Was she staring? She wasn’t staring, was she? She certainly wasn’t thinking about what those pale white hands would feel like on her skin—
Maybe she should stop staring. “This whole thing,” she said. “We’ve had so many changes. I didn’t even know Oliver. And now he’s changed our whole lives. I don’t even have to go back to work. Ever.” She shook her head. “We don’t know who we can trust any more.”
“We deal with that a lot,” he said. “Usually it’s not an inheritance. Usually it’s broken trust, or someone who’s spent their whole lives looking over their shoulders. But the now knowing where to turn, who you can trust—that’s what happens to them, too. I know it’s hard.”
“Thanks,” she said. Most people just told them how lucky they were.
“I don’t have to be out there again for a minute,” he said, pulling out a chair. “If you’re gonna be up for a while.”
“Don’t,” she said. She felt her heart pounding, the heat pooling between her legs. What was it about him? What was it about him that kept her off balance? “I know you’re trying to be nice, but—”
“I’m not trying anything,” he said. “I just thought you might want to talk. It gets pretty boring out there, watching and waiting, and it’s still too early for anyone to start sneaking around. So…you know. I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he said, smiling at her. “You’re beautiful. You’re interesting. And I’m working here anyway, so we might as well get along, right?”
“We—” She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even know where to start. “We don’t have anything in common.” Why did he have to be so good-looking? Why did he have to smell so good? He smelled even better now, which didn’t make any damn sense at all.
“So?” He put a hand on her arm. “What’s wrong with that?”
She should push him off. Guys didn’t get to just touch her without her permission. She’d socked at guy in the chin once for doing that. So why was her breath coming fast? Why wasn’t she moving?
It was like she was locked in place. Like all she could see was Jason’s handsome face, those blue eyes. Like her whole world was narrowed down to this one moment, this one man. “There’s nothing wrong with it,” she said, when she could manage to make herself speak. “But—” But what? She couldn’t think of a damn thing.
“Exactly,” he said. “Nothing.” He stepped back so they were facing each other. “You know, that party was nice, but there was one thing I wished they’d had.”
“What’s that?” She felt like she was in a trance. His eyes were looking straight into hers. Her whole body felt charged. Every inch of her skin was hyper-sensitive. Like something electric was pulsing through her.
“Dancing,” he said, and put his free hand on Lucy’s waist.
The tingling turned into a fire. I’ve just met him, she thought to herself. How can I feel so—
“Do you sing? I bet you have a beautiful voice.”
“I don’t,” she said. They always called her brassy. “What kind of music do you like?”
“Anything,” he said, “if you’re singing it.”
She tried to think of the right song. Any song. “You make me feel—”
He pulled her into his arms, and that felt—
It felt perfect. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and she probably needed a shower. And he was treating her like the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. What the hell was she thinking?
You’re not thinking, she thought. You’re feeling. And i
t’s all below your waist.
Maybe it didn’t matter. She wasn’t agreeing to marry this guy. It was a dance, that was all. So what if they were dancing in the kitchen? How long had it been since she just had fun?
He was singing along with her. His chest was broad, and she could feel how muscular it was as he held her close.
Maybe she could just hold this moment, at least for a little while.
***
Lucy’s breasts were so soft. Softer than he’d imagined. This close, he let his senses be filled by her. By her warm, comforting scent, edged with her increasing arousal. By the softness of her skin. By her voice, which was low and lovely. Her heart was pounding, and so was his, now. His cock was throbbing with every heartbeat. Wanting her. Needing her.
He reached up and touched her cheek. “Jason?” she said, breaking the spell.
Yes, he thought, and kissed her.
She gasped, just a little, as he did, but then her arms went tighter around him, pulling him even closer, and she started kissing back with as much passion as she felt. She filled his senses. She was a Queen all right, and every inch of his being yearned to protect her, love her, stay near her. Pull her close and never let her go.
She broke the kiss with a little gasp that made him yearn to make her gasp more, shiver under his hands. “I can’t,” she said, even though her hands were still tight on his body, her arousal still sharp in his nostrils. “I—I just met you.”
He couldn’t let her go now. Not with her so close. So warm. So soft. He wanted inside her more than he could stand. “You feel it too, don’t you? It’s not like we’ve just met. It’s like we’ve known each other for years.”
She stepped back, and his whole body began aching for touch, to have her close again. “No,” she said, though she didn’t sound like she believed it. “We haven’t. We just met tonight, and you’re—you’re working for my father.”
I don’t have to. I can quit tonight, he thought, but stopped before he could make a fool of himself. He had already upset her enough. Making an offer like that would really make him look like some kind of stalker. “I won’t be forever,” he said. “We’re going to find out what’s going on. And then—”
“I go back to work,” she said. “And you go back to work. You’re not even from the East Coast.”
He was losing her. Dammit, he was losing her. “No,” he said. “But we’re supposed to be expanding, remember? And it’s nice here. Boston’s a good place for an office. Not too far away. But not right on top of you if it doesn’t work out.” But it’ll work out. I know it.
“You’re awfully confident,” she said.
“Yeah,” he said. “I hope you don’t expect me to apologize for it.”
She smiled like he’d said something funny. “No,” she said. “I don’t think you’re really the apologizing type.”
“I apologize when I’ve made a mistake,” he said. “Hurt someone. But I don’t think I’ve done that. And I don’t think this is a mistake at all.” He wanted to kiss her again, wanted to feel those soft, warm breasts against his chest. Wanted to slip his hands under her t-shirt and feel every inch of her skin. The wolf was urging him on, telling him to take what was his. An Alpha and his Queen. The clan alliance they’d planned all along. Everything about it was perfect, was right—
Except she didn’t even know she was a Queen. He was almost sure of it now. If she did, this togetherness, this closeness wouldn’t come as such as surprise. How was he even going to begin?
“Can’t you trust me?” he said. “Just for another kiss?”
“Do you say that to all the girls?” she said, and the twist of her mouth made him want to kiss her again and again.
“I’ve never had to,” he said. “And I’ve never wanted to this much.”
She stepped back from him again. The wolf wanted to howl in frustration. He was losing her. He couldn’t! His whole life had been leading up to this. To her. How could he possibly let her go?
“I’m not a stalker. I’m just…you feel it. I know you feel it. There’s something between us. And I can’t pretend there isn’t.”
She just shook her head. Her heart was still racing, and Jason could smell arousal and fear. His whole body was burning now. He wanted. needed. More than he could possibly begin to explain to her, even if she knew the truth. It was something deep in his bones, something no words could express. Can’t you feel it? It’s destiny.
“Come here,” he said. “Just come closer.”
She shook her head again.
He took her hand in his. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” he said. “Can’t we have another dance?”
“You’re unbelievable,” she said.
“I have heard that once or twice,” he said.
Her laugh was like listening to water running over the hills, like music.
“Look,” he said. “Maybe…I could just take you out? Dinner? Maybe dancing if I’m good?”
“Maybe,” she said, softening, stepping closer. “You’re…you’re charming. I’ll give you that.”
“Come on,” he said. “One more dance.” He held out his arms.
Oh, what a relief he felt when she stepped into his embrace. “All right,” she said. “But you sing this time.”
“I can’t really sing.”
“You can hum,” she said.
He hummed, and she came still closer, so close. Her scent filled him. This. This was what he’d lived his whole life for. A Queen, his Queen, in his arms, so close, so perfect. And not just beautiful. Intelligent. Interesting. Everything he could have hoped for. More than he had hoped for. He leaned in, and she didn’t resist. He kissed her again, and felt arousal overcome her fear, heard her heartbeat spike again. His own heart was pounding, the wolf inside him clawing desperately for her. A Queen, and what a Queen she was; and she didn’t even know her own power. He lost himself in her, in the warm swell of her breasts against his chest, the sweetness of her scent.
He slid his hand under her t-shirt, touching her warm, soft skin, and the current between them grew stronger. He could feel it growing between them.
That wasn’t the only thing growing.
He could slide her up, onto the table, and—
Footsteps. Someone on the stairs.
He broke the kiss. “Lucy,” he said. “We should—”
It shouldn’t be like this. It should be something special, romantic. And more importantly, somewhere they wouldn’t be interrupted.
She stepped back from him, her eyes darting toward the stairs. “O?” she called. “That you?”
“What’s up?” Ophelia called.
“Just grabbing some milk before bed,” she said.
This would probably be a good time to crush Ophelia’s hopes, Jason thought. “Ophelia,” he said. “Nice to see you again.” He was still standing close to Lucy. Maybe it would give her a hint.
“You’re still here?”
“We had to adjust the cameras,” he said. “I was marking it on the floor plan. And then Lucy came down, so we were talking.” Was that enough, he wondered? His wolf was no help here. It only knew about claiming what was his. Being kind to people was beyond its ability.
Lucy was watching his face. Her heart was still pounding, but she looked calm.
“Oh,” Ophelia said. “You didn’t come down for a snack?”
No wonder Lucy worried people were going to attack her over her weight. What the hell. “We had plenty to eat at the reception, I think,” he said.
Ophelia walked over to the table. “So where’s the new camera?”
Oh, no, he wasn’t about to play that ‘come show me what’s on the table’ game. He might be a wolf, but he knew how to flirt. He pointed. “See where the flag is?”
“Oh,” she said. “So…why did you do that?”
“We had a blind spot. Can’t have that—we need to keep you all safe. And see what’s going on. If it’s an animal, we want to get the animal on camera. If it’s
not…we need to know that too.”
“That’s pretty smart,” she said.
Ophelia, let it go, Jason thought. What was the best way to scare her off? Should he just be honest with her? Tact wasn’t his strong suit either. Maybe just growling at her would be the best choice. But he didn’t want to do that in front of Lucy. Not yet.
If only it wasn’t so late, if they hadn’t met this way. He’d thought helping the family with security was the best way to get to know them; now he felt like he’d lost everything to lies. How could he begin to explain it all?
Ophelia looked down at the table. “Where’s this one, outside?”
Lucy walked closer to the map. “It’s near the front, can’t you tell?”
“Well,” Jason said, grateful that Lucy had saved him. “I’d better get out there before Ian starts complaining. Have a good night, ladies.” If he was lucky, he’d have the chance to apologize to Lucy later.
“You sure you can’t—” Ophelia asked.
“Good night,” Lucy said. The arousal and fear were gone under a flood of irritation. If only his wolf could tell him who, exactly, she was most irritated with.
“Take care,” he said, hoping she would know who he was really talking to. “Sleep well.” Me, I’m going to see how well I can work with the worst case of blue balls I’ve had since high school.
“He blew me off,” he could hear Ophelia say from behind the closed front door.
“Maybe a little,” Lucy conceded.
He made himself stop listening after that.
Ian was waiting in the SUV. “I got new fake audio equipment, did I tell you?”
“You didn’t,” he said, pulling the door closed behind them. Unless they needed to record something for legal purposes, wolf ears picked up a lot more than any fancy system. They worked hard to keep up appearances, but appearances were a lot cheaper than the real thing.
“This is all digital,” he said, waving a cable that probably connected to nothing. “State of the art. The upgrade we really needed.”