Business only.
The article hanging over their heads was a constant reminder that their time together was limited. And every time he thought about it, something pinched in his side.
She’s better off away from you.
Even as he thought the words, they felt hollow.
When their Thursday afternoon appointment with Ruby crept upon him, Hayden directed his driver into Union Square. He’d never actually shopped there since it’d always been easier to have tailors measure him in the office, and then deliver his clothes. Saks Men was a pleasant surprise, however. Sparse shelves. Light paint. Dim lights. Wood accents. Every tie, every pair of shoes, had the smell of money.
Ruby had texted, stating she’d be a few minutes late, but to get started with Armani.
When Hayden walked in, Melina was waiting in the middle of the store with a pensive expression on her face. Her mouth was pulled down into a frown, and her eyebrows crinkled together.
“What’s wrong?” He checked his watch. “I’m not late.”
“How’d you know about Minnie’s lymph nodes?”
Shit.
“It was a lucky guess.” He approached a Saks assistant before she could probe further. “I need a tuxedo for an event this weekend. I was told to start with Armani.”
Nodding in agreement, the assistant mumbled something about Hayden’s stature, the estimated breadth of his shoulders, his inseam, and then disappeared around a half-wall sectioning off the store.
“Are you a dog whisperer or something?” Melina asked, suddenly at his side.
He could communicate with canines. Not every breed, and not every animal, but he’d heard Minnie loud and clear. Her throat hurt. Her neck felt puffy and swollen. She wanted to eat, but couldn’t.
He laughed at Melina’s comparison of him to the dog whisperer, though she wasn’t far off. “I told you, it was a lucky guess.”
She tapped the toe of her shoe against the dark wood floor. “The vet ordered an emergency biopsy. Results came back earlier. It’s Lymphoma, but they expect the treatment will be successful.”
Relief sang through him. He hadn’t been too attached to Minnie, but he’d wanted the tiny animal to be well.
“If that’s a good thing,” he said, studying a rack of ties, “why are you staring at me as if you want to kill me?”
“Because you act aloof, jumping from woman to woman, party to party, as if you don’t care about anyone or anything. And then you give money to the homeless guy and save one of my favorite dogs at the shelter. Do you have split personalities?”
He chuckled into a belly laugh. “You think I have a disorder?”
“No, not really.” She moved in front of the rack so he’d have to look at her. She’d pulled her dark hair into a ponytail today. It emphasized the plumpness of her bottom lip and the soft pink tint in her cheeks. “I just don’t understand why every article that Celeb Crush has ever run on you has been focused on your yacht, sports cars, dating record, club appearances, yada yada. But beyond all that, there’s more. There’s surprising…depth. But it’s like you only show it to who you want to, and only at certain times. The Hayden I met at Starbucks, the one at the shelter, and the one here with me now are different than the Hayden you show to the public.”
“Are you just now realizing that you can’t judge a book by its cover?”
“That’s not it. I simply don’t understand why you don’t care more about the image that’s out there for the world to see.” She plucked a slim black tie from a hook and handed it to him. “It seems like you don’t mind if your reputation is dragged through the gutter.”
“Maybe the stories they create are better than the real thing.”
“Better,” she said, kinking her head to the side, “or safer.”
He should’ve left it alone. He should’ve shut his mouth.
The Saks assistant snapped for Hayden to meet him in the back of the store. He did as he was instructed—begrudgingly thanks to the dog-like command—and disappeared behind a black dressing-room curtain. At least he didn’t have to finish their conversation. As the assistant helped him into a classic one-button tuxedo, Ruby’s voice rang through the store.
“I’m here!” she bellowed. “So sorry I’m late. I ran into someone outside who said he was looking for Hayden. We got to talking about—oh, I won’t bother you with that. Is Hayden back there somewhere?”
She’d run into someone outside?
Someone who knew to find Hayden here?
He’d been followed.
With a growl, Hayden peeled apart the curtains and charged into the center of the store.
Melina gasped, averting her eyes. Ruby’s red lips pulled into a devious smile. And Gabriel strode around the tie rack.
“Hey, boss.” He nodded toward Hayden’s lower half. “Nice pants.”
Hayden glanced down. He’d only been partially dressed when the protective streak had pulsed through him. His pants were slung low on his hips, unzipped and unbuttoned. Black boxers peeked from beneath the hanging flaps of his slacks. And gooseflesh pebbled over his bare chest.
“Now that’s a tuxedo,” Ruby said, planting her hands on her hips.
Melina seemed to stiffen, and glanced at Hayden out of the corner of her eye.
Yeah baby, get an eyeful.
He flexed a chest muscle, and then immediately chastised himself for being such a douche. “What are you doing here, Gabriel?”
As he joined the group outside the dressing room, Hayden fastened his pants and stretched out his arms. The assistant helped him into his shirt.
“This came for you at the office,” Gabriel said, holding out an envelope. “It says ‘urgent.’ After the meeting we had the other day, I thought it best I bring it to you personally. Just in case it has something to do with—”
“Got it, Gabriel. Thank you.” Hayden took the envelope and tore through the upper seam. “It’s only tickets for Saturday.”
“Thank God,” Gabriel breathed.
“What’s Saturday?” Melina piped up.
His gaze locked with hers. “Worried I’m going to go out, get hammered, and do something stupid that’ll land on the front page?”
“Someone’s got to care about those things.”
“That someone is usually me.” Gabriel extended a hand to Melina. When she took it, he flipped her hand around and kissed the back. “I’m Gabriel Park. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rae. Hayden has told me so much about you.”
“He has?”
Hayden ground his back teeth together. He’d told Gabriel about Melina, but he’d left out the one thing that mattered most: she was his by fate’s design. If his secondary had known that fact, he might’ve refrained from kissing her hand. Not only was it disrespectful, but—damn it, wasn’t that enough?
Why’d Fate match him with a non-shifter anyway? On what planet would their relationship ever work? Not that they had a relationship. But if they did…
“Of course your name has come up,” Hayden offered before assumptions could be made. “Gabriel is my second-in-command, I suppose you could say. He worries about the pesky details of my life so I don’t have to.”
She flinched when he said “pesky” as if he were talking about her.
But the only thing pesky about Melina was the fact he couldn’t get her out of his mind. If only he could tell her that…
“Anyway,” he said, “when it comes to this Saturday, I won’t need either of you. The craziest thing that’ll happen at the aquarium is I might have too many drinks and sponsor a stingray. It might not be as cute and cuddly as a wolf, but it still has bite.”
Smirking, Melina shot him a playful glare. “Everyone’s a comedian.”
“You two should go together,” Ruby interrupted, perching on the edge of the round leather seat next to Melina. “She could make sure you don’t tarnish that golden reputation by saying something stupid.”
“Golden reputation?” Melina’s eyes went wide. “Hayden
? Um. No.”
Gabriel coughed. “If that’s the plan, Miss Rae better hang around 24-7.”
Hayden repressed a growl.
“That’s not a good idea.” Melina finally detached her gaze from his and shook her head. “There’s no way I could be Hayden’s date. If the tabloids see him with me, someone they’ve never seen before, I’ll be labeled as another ‘Dean Girl’ and that’s not happening in my lifetime.”
Sharp, burning sensations pinched Hayden’s gut. He rubbed a hand over his stomach, but couldn’t soothe away the pain. Odd. Felt like he’d been punched.
“I’m holding out to be a James Bond Girl,” Melina went on.
Ah, there was the humor. That spark he’d come to like so much.
She was sexy as hell. Intelligent and funny.
The woman was a dream.
Not my dream, not my dream, not my dream.
“It wouldn’t have worked out anyway. I already have a date.” All eyes turned Hayden’s way. Melina seemed to stare through him, her eyes sparking with curiosity. “She’s a friend of the family and works for the aquarium. Seemed like a good fit. I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.”
Gabriel sat to Melina’s left and leaned in close. “Don’t believe a word that man says. I’ve known him my whole life, and he’s never been a Boy Scout.”
“Well I must be ahead of the curve. I’ve only known him a year, and I already know better than to believe anything he says.” Her lips twisted in that playful, teasing way that tied him in knots.
There was nothing playful about the jealous thorn in Hayden’s side. Why’d Gabriel have to sit right next to Melina when there were perfectly suitable chairs in the corners of the room? And why’d he have to lean so close to her shoulder when he talked to her, as if he was telling her a secret?
As the Saks assistant finished adjusting the coat over Hayden’s shoulders, Ruby requested he bring over a white shawl collar single button dinner coat, and a bunch of other items he didn’t care to think about. As long as the new threads fit him comfortably, he was good.
“Why doesn’t Melina go with me?” Gabriel said. “I still need a date.”
This time, all eyes turned to Melina.
And it was a good thing, too. That way, no one saw the pissed-off glare Hayden shot his “trusted” secondary.
…
Melina could barely breathe as Hayden stood in front of her in that Armani suit. His broad shoulders filled up that tuxedo as if it’d been sewn for him. Totally fine. GQ material. Mmm-hmm.
Distance.
God, she’d just licked drool off her lips.
But when Tall, Dark, and Handsome smiled her way, and asked her out—had she heard him right?—Hayden disappeared. Only for a second. She turned toward Gabriel and examined him for the first time. He wore a Calvin Klein suit as slick and black as his hair, and a midnight-blue tie that complemented his sapphire eyes.
He was definitely gorgeous, but didn’t have the kind of sex appeal that seeped from Hayden’s pores.
“I didn’t know you got an invite.” Hayden’s voice was so deep and raspy, it vibrated the floor under Melina’s feet.
Gabriel didn’t seem to notice. He pulled his own envelope out of his inner coat pocket and grinned. “Two complimentary tickets from the company. I wasn’t going to attend, but if you already have a date, and Melina doesn’t have a ticket, why not?”
“Yeah,” Hayden breathed. “Why not…”
“Perfect!” Ruby clapped, and held her hands over her heart. “Ah, to be young and in love again.”
“I don’t know who you’re referring to,” Hayden said, “but nobody here is in love.”
“Not yet, maybe,” she said, coming to stand beside him. “But soon.”
“So?” Gabriel lightly bumped Melina in the shoulder. “What do you think?”
Although it seemed absolutely ridiculous, the idea of getting glammed up for a night out thrilled her.
“I don’t see the harm in it.” She raised her gaze to meet Hayden’s. Damn, if there wasn’t fire burning in those depths. “Our relationship is business-only, right?”
Say no. Say you want me for yourself. Don’t let me go with your friend.
His eyes narrowed and his lips pressed into a hard, white line. “Right.”
She understood completely now. He was still undecided when it came to her, and he always would be. He wanted to kiss her, yet push her away. Tease her and play with her emotions. Going to the benefit with Gabriel was out of the question, but he didn’t want to take her himself.
To hell with him.
She deserved someone who would want to stand at her side, and wouldn’t be able to handle the thought of another man taking her out.
She deserved better.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” she said, and then turned her attention toward Gabriel. “I’d love to go with you.”
Chapter Eleven
Looking out her living room window over Haight Street, Melina pounded away at her keyboard. She only had an hour before Gabriel arrived to pick her up, and wanted to jot down her notes for Hayden’s article.
“Initial thoughts,” she read aloud as she typed. “Loyal 49er fan…to his own detriment. Seems stressed after work meetings, which is contrary to the laid-back vibe he tries to give off.” She took a long drag on the straw of her Frappuccino. It was sweet, with extra whip and absolutely perfect. She needed the caffeine to get her through the night. “Drives fast, probably recklessly. Kisses like a pro, probably does other things like one too.” She deleted the last part and took a bite of the Ghirardelli square next to her coffee. She needed the chocolate so she didn’t gorge on sweets at the event and look like a cow. She swiped the caramel off her lip. Better to look like a cow in private, she decided. “Long eyelashes, dreamy eyes.”
Delete, delete, delete.
After making notes about the overall feel of his office, including that amazing wolf picture, Melina crafted fanciful stores about the football game and the day at the office that made Hayden look like a knight.
He helped a woman up the stairs at the stadium and opened doors for women in the office.
What a gentleman.
On the way into the shop, he’d pulled out his wallet and handed a homeless man fifty dollars. On Thursday, he arranged for one of the top lawyers in Dean, Hyde, & Hammer to handle a large case pro bono during his morning business meeting. She hadn’t been present when he made the deal, but she’d read the memo on his desk.
What a generous soul.
Someone needed to hand her a freaking crown—she was officially the Queen of Bullshit.
But then she really got down to the nitty-gritty. She researched donations and grants given by Angus Dean or any part of his company. And then she wrote about Hayden’s volunteer work, about Minnie and the care he’d given her. It was only one day, one time, one dog, yet she couldn’t help but feel as if he’d had a real impact that day.
She uploaded the photo of Hayden holding Minnie and saved it to her computer with the caption: Beauty and the…Beast?
Trying not to think about how Hayden had shifted in her mind, Melina shut down her laptop and showered for her date. After drying off, she hooked a towel around her body so she could dry and style her hair. According to Gabriel, the affair was black tie. Formal.
Eager to glam up for someone who might actually show up for their date, Melina blow-dried and teased her hair, twisting and pulling the strands until they sat on top of her head. She applied her makeup—shimmering blue on the eyes, and glossy nude on the lips—and then stepped into a designer dress she’d never worn. It was strapless, silky cerulean blue, and flared at the knee. The best part wasn’t the color or the material, although both were equally gorgeous. It was the layer upon layer of faux peacock feathers at the bottom that made the dress runway glam.
A honk outside the apartment had Melina peeling apart her living room curtains. A canary-yellow Camaro waited at the curb in front of her
building. Leaning against the driver’s door, Gabriel was an image of composed sophistication in a black-and-white tux.
Frantically hopping into her pair of gold Jimmy Choos and snatching her matching clutch off the closet door handle, Melina exited the building and strode toward Ashbury.
As she approached her date, Melina eyed him carefully. He was handsome. There was no denying it. If she had to guess his ethnicity, she would’ve said he was Greek, with thick dark hair, big round eyes, and full lips.
“You look great,” he said, meeting her at the back of the car. “Like a million bucks.”
“Thanks.” She grinned, remembering the discount she’d gotten on the eight-thousand-dollar designer dress. Maybe she should start a local off-the-runway online company—a place to borrow and exchange dresses like this for discounted prices. Only they wouldn’t be ordered online and shipped. They’d be in-store. Where women could come in and try them on and return them after events such as these. “Nice ride.”
“Chicks dig it.”
Yeah, she bet.
Gabriel may’ve been suave, but he was kind of a tool. Especially if he referred to women as chicks.
As he led her around to the passenger side, he reached for the handle, and then stopped. He turned, staring down Ashbury one direction before the other. His nostrils flared and his shoulders pulled back. He looked as if he was taking some sort of challenging stance, but that wouldn’t make sense, would it?
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing. Just thought I…saw someone I knew.”
He sounded as if he was about to say something else. Melina slid into the car, and checked everything out as he walked around the hood. The interior had a deliciously new smell, and was oiled and clean, as if it’d been driven right off the lot.
“Hayden was right,” he said as he slipped inside and brought the engine to life. “You do smell good.”
Her mouth fell open. “He told you that?”
“He tells me everything.” Gabriel shot her a mischievous grin. “You ready? He’s already called twice to make sure we’re on our way. He’s saving us two seats at his table.”
The Werewolf Wears Prada (Entangled Covet) (San Francisco Wolf Pack) Page 8
