Without warning, Henry took my hand and kissed it.After a salacious wink, he stood and inched so close to Lucian that I thought a fight was about to erupt.
Lucian tipped his head to the side and made a tight fist as he glared at the Mage.Instead of instigating a brawl, Henry scowled at the Chitah before heading out.
I laughed inwardly because Henry swaggered off as though a soundtrack to his life was playing in the background.
Lucian lingered by the table and watched me attentively.“I didn’t plan on busting in on your date, but your repulsion was stronger than your perfume.Is there anything you need?”
I wiped Henry’s saliva off the back of my hand.“Besides a therapist and a glass of wine?”I pointed behind me.“Were you the one sitting there making all the noises?”
He shrugged.“Your date was entertaining.”
“Have a seat.”
Lucian quietly claimed the spot across the table and folded his arms.
“I almost didn’t recognize you with hair, Mr.Cross.How long has it been?”
“Fifteen and a half weeks,” he answered, quicker than I could calculate in my head.
“Is that so?”I arched my brow.“That’s a rather precise answer.”
He dipped his chin.“That was a rather specific question.”
“Where’s the rest of your pack?”
“Around.”
I soaked him in.Lucian’s understated attire of a button-up and black jeans was a stark contrast to Henry’s showy outfit.His features were striking: sharp cheekbones, sensual lips, and bone structure that was criminal.And his luminous golden eyes delivered a smoldering gaze dripping with sexual tension.
I used to think his shaved head made him distinctive, but now he was even more so with his disheveled black hair.In my experience, Chitahs rarely had dark hair, and those who did were considered defects.Unfortunately, every Breed had their own definition of defects related to either their natural gifts or physical attributes.
Yet I found nothing wrong with his unique features.
“What urgent business matter did you have to discuss with me?”I asked, uncertain if he had one.
His lips parted, and he hesitated before answering.“You never called me.”
I jerked my head back.“What?”
“Last year I told you what I did for a living, and you were going to add me to your contact list.Don’t you need security?”
“Oh.”He must have assumed I wrote down his number for my own personal use.“Mr.Cross, when I meet someone with a particular skill set such as yours, I make sure to spread that information around the community.Haven’t you gotten unsolicited calls in the past few months?I’ve put in a good word for you numerous times, and several individuals thanked me for the referral.”
He gave a perfunctory nod.
“Well, as it so happens, I might need your expertise after all.”I played with my gold necklace and sighed.“Your timing tonight couldn’t have been better.Dating isn’t what it used to be.Or maybe it is, and I’m the one who’s changed.”
“Why didn’t you ditch that guy when you went to the bathroom?”
I lifted my wineglass.“Dating in a small town is like walking a tightrope over a lion pit.Most people only have to worry about their reputation and gossip.I have bigger concerns.”
He leaned forward, and his dark eyebrows drew together.“Like what?”
“Because I work on the Council, I can’t afford to burn bridges.People in this town seek my counsel on disputes, crimes, domestic complaints, pack issues, property sales, and so on.Not just Shifters.I deal with a lot of other Breeds, and if I make enemies because of a bad date and that person later needs my help, they might accuse me of unfair treatment if I can’t resolve their issue.”I feigned a smile.“So instead of throwing a drink in their face, I politely end the evening.”
He drummed his fingers on the table.“Stay away from booth seating and private tables.A bench seat is nothing but a potential trap.People sit by the wall for privacy, but that means nobody can see a misbehaving jackass.”
“You make a fair point.Next timeI’llchoose the table.”
