Percy takes my hand in his, examining our intertwined digits thoughtfully. “Professionally? I’ll present my alternative plans to the board next week. They’ll hate them. I’ll fight for them, anyway.”
“And if you lose?”
His eyes meet mine, steady and determined. “Then I resign as chief architect and blow the whistle on some questionable environmental practices Hamilton would prefer to stay buried.”
I stare at him, shocked. “You’d tank your family business? Your inheritance?”
“I’d force it to be better.” He shrugs. “Besides, Prescott’s tech division is the real money-maker now, anyway. Construction is practically Hamilton’s vanity project at this point. He would never allow me to leave. He’d agree just to keep me on board.”
A few hours ago, I wanted to eviscerate this male. Now… I’m in bed with him, plotting to overturn the Wolfstone project. I’ve definitely lost my marbles.
“And…” I hesitate, surprised by how much I care about the answer, “What about this? Maybe we just… pretend it never happened?”
Percy’s expression softens. “That depends. How do you feel about secret rendezvous and scandalous inter-species dating?”
“Dating?” I repeat, the idea oddly thrilling. “Bold of you to assume this wasn’t just a heat-induced lapse in judgment.”
He moves closer, his nose nuzzling my neck, making my pulse quicken. “Your heat explains the sex, Ruby. But not why you chose me, not why you are still here.”
He’s right, damn him.
There are plenty of eligible wolves I could have sought out to satisfy my biological urges. Hell, even other prey species would make more sense than a Porkwell.
“Maybe I just wanted intel on my enemy,” I deflect.
“Or maybe…” His voice is low and serious. “That underneath all the species politics and the family legacies, there’s something real here. Something worth exploring.”
The sincerity in his eyes makes my chest tight. It would be easier if this were just physical—a forbidden fling, a heat-drivenmistake. Instead, I’m lying here having genuine feelings for a pig who understands wolf pup behavior and redesigns construction projects because of my articles.
“My pack would disown me,” I murmur.
The truth is more complicated. My Alpha would see any connection to Porkwell as betrayal, especially after her daughter lost her den in the Riverside development. The elders would question my loyalty, my judgment. And Grayson, who’s been trying to court me for the past year, would use it as proof that I’m “contaminated by city thinking.”
“My brother would have an actual heart attack.” Percy counters. “Though that might be a net positive for wolf-kind.”
I laugh despite myself. “We’re insane for even discussing this.”
“Completely.” He grins. “Though I have always found sanity to be overrated.”
His phone pings from the nightstand, and we both jump. Percy reaches for it, glancing at the screen.
“Prescott,” he explains. “His conference ended early. He’ll be home tomorrow afternoon.”
Reality intrudes on our bubble. I should feel relieved—an easy out, a return to normalcy. Instead, disappointment washes over me.
“I should go,” I say reluctantly, making no move to leave the warm comfort of his bed.
“Or,” Percy counters, setting the phone aside, “You could stay until morning. Have breakfast with me. Help me prepare for the board meeting. We could go through your research and strengthen my proposal.”
“Professional collaboration. At your dining table. Naked.” I narrow my eyes suspiciously.
“Clothing optional, but recommended for pancake preparation.” His smile is infectious. “Safety first.”
I shouldn’t say yes. I have countless reasons to put distance between myself and Percy Porkwell. But if there’s a chance I can add my ideas to the project and make it better…
“Do you have blueberries?” I ask instead. “For the pancakes.”
His smile widens. “I’ll have groceries delivered at nine. With blueberries. And that fair-trade coffee you mentioned liking in your interview with Shiftown Public Radio last month.”
