by Kimber White
“Oh. I’m all right. Thanks.”
Curtis rose from behind his U-shaped desk and led me down the hallway, moving with the telltale preternatural grace of a wolf. So, it appeared I’d be surrounded by them this year.
Lanier’s offices couldn’t be more different than the congressman’s. There were no cubicles here. Just wide open spaces behind glass and long rows of brightly lit tables. Lanier had the corner office. Curtis opened the door and gestured for me to follow him in.
The view from the wall-to-wall windows took my breath away. The room faced away from the highway towards the park grounds. A pristine man-made pond sat at the edge of a wooded valley with a long wooden dock extending nearly to the center of it. Two mute swans dipped their heads beneath the water below then chased away a pair of mallard ducks. I imagined Lanier could sit at his desk and stare at that scene all day if he liked.
Lanier’s simple desk and flat screen monitors were tucked against the only non-glass wall in the office. The rest of the space flowed toward that gorgeous view with two white leather couches facing out with a small table in between.
“Have a seat,” Curtis said, pointing to the couches. “Mr. Lanier’s already on his way up. Make yourself comfortable. He won’t keep you waiting long.”
Curtis smiled and left me alone. I rubbed my palms against the soft leather of the couch as I sat down and crossed my legs. Then, I uncrossed them and moved to the other end of the couch so my back wouldn’t be turned when Lanier walked in. Or, perhaps I should stand? Would sitting on the couch seem too familiar, even though Curtis had told me to make myself comfortable? I shook off my nerves and blew out a breath. What I wanted to do was get a better view of the rolling, wooded hills outside. So, I rose from the couch and walked over to the glass, careful not to touch it. I couldn’t see a single smudge on it.
As I watched, another pair of mallards landed next to the swans and joined their brethren fighting for some unseen delicacy beneath the placid water’s surface. One of the swans arched his neck and then swung it low, snapping at the smaller ducks, who scurried away. But, then they grew brave again and paddled back. The second swan gained speed across the water then unfurled its massive white wings and took flight. What he lacked in altitude, he made up for with each flap of his powerful wings. They came down with the force of a baseball swing as he glided above the water then settled on the opposite shore. His mate clacked at the mallards again then swam over to join him.
“They’re beautiful, but they make a damn mess.”
I jumped and laid my palm flat against the glass as his rich tenor vibrated across my skin and his breath tickled near my ear. I put a hand to my breast and turned to face Mr. Lanier.
“Sorry,” he said, his smile genuine as he leaned with his shoulder against the glass, one hand resting casually in his pocket. He wore a crisp white dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves revealing tanned, ruddy skin with fine reddish hair that dusted across his forearms. My eyes traveled to his blue tie and where the clinging fabric of his shirt outlined his powerful chest. When I looked him straight on, his blue eyes twinkled with mischief as his smile widened. “I didn’t mean to startle you. It was Miss Winslow?”
He extended his hand to shake mine. I hesitated for a fraction of a second, my heart fluttering like hummingbird’s wings just before our skin made contact. When it did, a zing of electricity seemed to spark through my veins, warming my blood. Just a tiny flickering movement in the corner of his eyes told me he felt something too.
This was bad. Terrible. I didn’t want to give off anything less than a professional vibe. But, I couldn’t ignore the fact that Sebastian Lanier was simply the most virile, attractive man I’d ever stood this close to.
“Abby,” I said, wishing I’d taken Curtis up on that glass of water. Actually, I wanted something even stronger. This man unsettled me in a way I didn’t understand. He seemed able to see straight through to my heated core with just the tilt of his head. That same gesture seemed to ignite me even more.
“Nice to meet you again, Abby. Call me Bas.”
God. Bas. The name was perfect for him. Strong. Solid. A vision flashed through my head of me calling it out in the heat of passion. I pulled my hand away perhaps a little quicker than I should have. But, my body sensed danger and desire all at once, like a moth to light. Bas trained those keen blue eyes on me and worked the muscles of his knife blade-sharp jaw.
I took a breath and turned away from him, heading for my messenger bag near the couch. “Mr. Thorp sent me with some paperwork on the new bill the congressman’s drafting. He wanted your notes on it.”
Bas didn’t move from his spot by the window. He just stood there, leaning against it as he watched every move I made. But, at the mention of Dale Thorp, tension came into his shoulders and his eyes flashed dark. I sat on the edge of the couch as I opened my bag and hauled Dale’s fat file out of it. As I moved to hold it out to him, the frayed rubber band snapped and half the papers spilled out of the envelope and onto the floor.
I bit my lip to stop the F-bomb from flying out as I leaned down to try and reassemble them. Bas was there, kneeling next to me. He moved in a blur of motion with speed that startled me and took my breath away. He put a hand on my shoulder and I swear, just that simple touch turned me molten from the inside out.
“I-I’m sorry,” I said, sliding awkwardly back on the couch.
Bas’s eyes were kind as he scooped the papers into a pile and set them on the table in front of us.
“How do you like working for Dale so far?” Bas asked.
“Oh. Mr. Thorp? It’s only my second day. I’m still kind of getting the lay of the land.”
Bas’s shoulders shook with a silent laugh and he shook his head. “That was your first day? Sorry about yesterday. I suppose you don’t have a great first impression of me. Honestly, I didn’t see you standing there when I barged in. That was . . . rude of me. And that was about something that goes way back between Congressman Foster and me. Nothing you need to worry about.”
I took the papers from the table and reassembled them with the others. “Was anyone hurt? In the traps I mean? Your people?”
For the second time, the space around me seemed to slow to a freeze frame as Bas’s eyes met mine. He moved closer to me, leaving no more than a few inches between us. He filled my vision and all my senses as if the world beyond the two of us receded to nothing. He didn’t touch me. Didn’t say anything, but as he held my gaze, he seemed to lay me bare and know what I was thinking. Even if he couldn’t, my skin flamed hot from another traitorous blush. I’d asked too much.
“My people?” he said, his tone sharp, but not unkind.
God. What had I been thinking? His people? Was it a secret? What was the politically correct way to refer to someone like him? I swear, the room fell so quiet I could actually hear myself blink.
Then, a slow smile played at the corners of Bas’s mouth and his eyes sparked with mirth. “What do you know about my people, Abby?”
I couldn’t help it, I smiled back and let out a small laugh. “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t have assumed, but if you’re trying to be stealthy about it, you’re failing.”
He ran his hand across his jaw and arched one ruddy brow. My eyes followed the line of it, traveling to his thick, golden red hair that he wore slicked back today except for an errant strand that hung down, cutting across his forehead and hanging just over his right eye. My fingers twitched with the urge to reach up and smooth it back. He leaned forward, sliding one hand on the back of the couch behind my shoulders, the other almost touching my thigh. He cocked his head to the side and spoke, dropping his voice low enough it came out more growl than words. But, oh, I understood him perfectly.
“Just what is it you think you know about me?”
I should have been afraid, I suppose. Maybe another woman would have been. But, there was something about the way he looked at me with his head tilted to the side, his body close enough I felt the heat coming off of
him in waves. Bas Lanier was issuing a challenge. Would I rise to it, or would I shirk away?
I faced him straight on and smiled, my blood nearly coming to a boil as I drank in the curve of his broad shoulders and the way his collar strained against the muscles of his neck.
“Well, no offense, but I’m more of a cat person.” Then, I fixed my smile in place and gave him a wink before sliding away from him on the couch and rising to my feet.
For a moment, Bas sat frozen, his body leaning toward the space I’d just vacated. Then, he looked up at me and his face split into a wide grin. He threw his head back and let out a laugh that made the floor vibrate. He rose to his full height. Standing as close to me as he was, I had to strain my neck to keep eye contact. He really was huge. Six foot four. Maybe a little taller even. Even in my heels, he towered over me.
“Have a seat, Abby,” he said as he took the stack of papers from me and moved around me toward his desk. “Why don’t you sit tight while I look over what Foster’s done this time.”
“Oh. I mean, I can come back. Dale didn’t say anything about a deadline.”
I smoothed my skirt and sat back on the couch as Bas ran a hand through his hair and started thumbing through the papers. He was sexy when he laughed. He was devastating when he was deep in thought. His brows knit together, auburn like the rest of his hair, but blond at the tips. He tugged at his tie, loosening his collar as he slammed paper after paper against the desk. Whatever changes the congressman made to this bill weren’t ones Bas welcomed. Page after page, his scowl deepened, and I had the urge to run my fingers across his cheek to smooth away the deep lines forming around his perfect mouth.
God. I wanted this man. Pure and simple. There was no logic to it. No rhyme or reason. Just utter carnal lust. He stirred something deep inside of me. All danger and sex appeal. What’s worse, he was abundantly aware of the effect he had on everyone around him, I guessed. But now, while he was lost in troubled thought over Foster’s paperwork, I could watch him with abandon. His focus diverted.
Then, it wasn’t.
Bas slammed down the last page and sat back in his chair, hooking his hands behind his head, and he let out a sigh as he looked toward the ceiling. Again, he let out that low, rumbling growl and another thought slammed into my brain unbidden.
I wanted to see his wolf. What would it be like when he shifted? Would it be gory and brutal like you saw in the movies? Or would it happen so fast my eyes wouldn’t register it? Would he be Bas Lanier one second, then a fierce wolf the next?
Bas’s eyes flashed, locking with mine again, leaving me feeling exposed to him. He narrowed his and again that hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth like he could read my thoughts or know what I look liked naked.
He unhooked his fingers from behind his head and slowly rose from his chair, moving around his desk with lupine grace. Almost as if I were his prey and he meant to stalk me. I had a dark flash of what it might feel like to submit to him. The instant I thought it, heat flared between my legs, my body answering the question my mind just asked.
Yes. Oh, yes. I would like to know what it felt like to give myself to him. I blinked hard and rose slowly to my feet. I had to get out of here. Staying in a room alone with Bas for another second might make me do or say things I’d regret later. He had some pull over me I couldn’t explain, but it was the kind of thing that could ruin everything for me. He was the job. That’s all. No matter how sexy he looked in his tailored suit, I’d worked too hard, had too much at stake to risk going down this path. I wasn’t my mother.
“Is there anything you’d like me to tell Mr. Thorp or Congressman Foster? Any notes you have for them?”
Bas kept moving toward me. His fingers trailed along the edge of his desk and I saw his eyes change. The pupils narrowed to pinpoints and the irises went pale blue, lined with black.
Wolf eyes. Feral. Dangerous.
A moment ago, I’d fantasized about what it might be like to see his wolf. I had a feeling I was about to get at least part of my wish.
“Abby, there are a lot of things I’d like to say to Dale and Foster. But, if Dale thought he could send you over here to distract me from what he’s trying to do with that bill, he’s made a mistake. A grievous one.”
What? Me? Oh, God. I’d done a poor job of hiding how much I liked looking at him. But then, a different truth slammed into place in my mind. Dale. The minute he said it, I knew he was right. Dale played me. Damn his werewolf eyes. My blood boiled again, but this time it wasn’t from naked lust, but deepening anger.
“Look, I have no idea what games you and Dale like to play with each other. Whatever . . . pack bullshit goes on between you. But leave me out of it.”
“Pack bullshit? I promise you, Dale Thorp isn’t part of any pack of mine, Abby. I wouldn’t have him.”
“Fine. Whatever. I’m really just trying to do my job. Is there something specific you want me to tell him, or was that pretty much it?”
Bas took another step toward me. Then another. Then he reached out and pulled me toward him. My skin flared hot where his fingers grasped my upper arms and rested on my shoulders. My knees went weak and my focus rested on the curve of his mouth as he tilted his head toward mine.
Then he kissed me.
The world was heat and light. Fireworks went off behind my ribcage, sending tingling heat straight down to my toes. I drowned in him. Starved without him. It was as if I’d just been injected with straight adrenaline and my heart started beating for the first time.
Logic. Time. My reason for being here. Everything seemed to fly out of that glass window for those few seconds when Bas held me and his lips touched mine. But, this wasn’t a fairy tale. Even though my loins waged a war against my brain, it wasn’t a fair fight.
I pressed my palms flat against Bas’s chest and pushed myself away from him. Gasping, I touched the back of my hand to my lips.
“Stop!”
Bas reeled away from me. His eyes, still wild, went wide with shock as he took a staggering step backward until he leaned against his desk, his chest heaving. He touched his own hand to his mouth and looked at me.
“Who are you?” he asked. “Where did he find you?”
My heart started to beat a normal rhythm again, and this time, my blood heated with a touch of rage. As unsettled as I’d been by his touch, it seemed Bas was having a similar reaction. Whatever he meant to do when he kissed me, he’d come away with more than he bargained for. But, his question angered me.
“Find me? Is that what you’re running with Dale Thorp? Some sort of sick werewolf escort service? Sorry. This isn’t what I signed on for.”
“What? No. Fuck.” His eyes flashed shock then maybe a little bit of horror like he wanted to take his words back. Good. But too late. I’d already let things get wildly out of control. I could only hope Bas’s apparent regret for kissing me would be enough to keep him from causing me any trouble back at the office. At least, not any trouble I wasn’t about to rain down on my own.
I grabbed my messenger bag and threw the strap across my chest, making a shield of it across my body. But, Bas kept his distance. His eyes filled with concern, and his fingers trembled where he ran them across his lips again. I didn’t know him. But the last few minutes had shaken him, badly.
“So thumbs down on the legislation, I’m guessing.”
I stormed toward the door and grabbed the handle.
“Abby wait. Shit. I’m sorry.”
I put up a hand. “No. I get the gist of the situation. You made it crystal clear.”
He could have stopped me. My heart raced knowing just exactly how much he could have stopped me. But somehow, I knew he wouldn’t. I just needed to put some distance between us so I could figure out what the hell I should do next.
I walked out and blew past Curtis at the reception desk. He rose to his feet and held up a pencil, his mouth gaped open. I put up a hand toward him as I headed for the grand staircase at the end of the hall lea
ding back down into the main store. I didn’t want to risk standing and waiting at the elevator and giving Bas another crack at me. I flew down the stairs and hustled my way past store clerks and customers on my way to the front exit.
I didn’t hear Bas behind me, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end just as I reached for the main door leading to the parking lot. A whoosh of air lifted the strands of hair at my temples as his hand came down over my shoulder and opened the door for me. I whirled on him, practically tripping over my feet.
“Abby, I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes pleading. “You’re not who I thought you were.”
My heart dropped to my shoes. I curled my fingers into a fist at my side to keep from reaching up and brushing that same lock of hair out of his right eye. What was happening to me around this guy? I knew I couldn’t stick around to find out. He was dangerous. Deadly. And yet, he made things shift inside of me I couldn’t explain.
“Is that how it works between you and the congressman? He finds girls to send to you. Keeps you happy so you keep him happy?” I wanted to hurt him. I don’t know why. But, I didn’t trust or understand what was happening inside of me when this guy got near me.
He reeled back as if I’d slapped him, then his eyes flashed dark again and he set his jaw into a hard line.
“I can assure you, I don’t need Foster or anyone else to find girls for me, Abby.”
I realized I’d been standing there with my mouth hanging open. I clamped it shut. A different kind of rage flared inside of me at his words and the insinuation behind them. The thought of Bas Lanier with any other girl made me want to rip her eyes out. Why? I had no claim on him. Had just rejected him myself.
“Abby.” He tried again, his words softer this time. With a gentle hand on my arm, he moved me out of the door and into the vestibule between the outer door and the one leading into the store. We were starting to draw attention. A few of the sales clerks looked up from scanning merchandise, and two customers looked me up and down as they came through the automatic doors and headed into the store.
