I think the guy might argue with his boss, but after a pause, he shrugs and stalks away.
“You’re Zoey Gunner.”
I meet the man’s intense gaze without flinching, giving him a brief nod.
“And you are …”
“Mason Jameson.”
My eyes flick to Warner, who offers a tight smile.“My uncle.”
“You look like your mother,” Mason offers.
The comment surprises me.In the past, I’ve only ever thought of how my complexion falls closer to my father’s.My mom is blonde-haired, blue-eyed, while Dad and I are brunettes with brown eyes.But I guess the residents of Pine Falls have only ever met one of the people who made me.
“Did you know her?”
Warner’s uncle shrugs, then walks away, his gait unhurried but still containing an air of authority.
The tension of the moment lingers.
Warner is the first to pierce it.“Did you tell Ross he’s a bad fuck?”
I roll my eyes.“Yeah.If you and your uncle hadn’t shown up, he probably would’ve pulled up a list of references.”
The excitement of the construction site having worn off, I pivot and start back toward my truck.Even though most people would say I won that confrontation, I still feel gross.The leering weight of Ross’s eyes left an invisible residue on my skin.
I need a shower.
“Zoey—” Warner starts, but I whirl on him, unwilling to be scolded for defending myself.
“He talked at me like I was athing.”My temper rises at the memory, and I glare at Warner, suddenly not feeling too warm and fuzzy toward men in general.“So, I gave him a taste of his own medicine.And I hope he chokes on the bitter taste.He deserved it.”
We stare at each other for a moment before Warner nods.“You’re right.”
“You agree that he deserved it?”
“Yes.”Warner scoops up one of my hands and presses a kiss to my palm before offering me a smirk with burning eyes.“But I was referring to the first night we met.”
I try to remember what exactly he might be referencing.Warner doesn’t let me struggle for long.
“You’re way more thankindaintimidating.”
34
WARNER
When Zoey dropsme back off at work after lunch, I’m smiling.An hour of eating and getting her to laugh is a good way to spend my break.
But my happiness evaporates the second I see Ross’s scowl across the worksite.It’s aimed at Zoey’s bumper.
If Ross were a human guy, he’d probably keep his anger to himself, maybe throw out some insulting comments the next time he crossed paths with Zoey.
But Ross isn’t human.He’s wolf.And what’s more, he’s an asshole.
From his angry expression, he’s still smarting from Zoey’s put-down.
That means the next time the two of them are in the same room, things could get a lot worse than some harsh words.
