He nodded. “Well, that’s a relief. When I walked in on you sitting on Kyle’s lap next to the pool a couple weeks ago, you looked at me like you might bite my head off. I assumed there was something going on. That must have been part of your training program.”
Her stomach sank, and the hot flare of a blush burned her cheeks. She shouldn’t be embarrassed, but she was. Tongue-tied, she searched her usually quick mind for a clever retort but came up blank.
“Kyle isn’t for you, sweetheart,” the frog mouth said. “In fact, becoming involved with someone like him could be dangerous.” Nate gave her a threatening smile.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
One side of Nate’s mouth curled. “Plenty of girls would kill to get closer to Kyle.”
“Kyle is perfectly capable of deciding who to get close to. Let’s get something straight—I’m training his dog, not marrying him.”
He tugged at the sleeve of his dress shirt. “He hasn’t been himself since you came here.”
“How so?” she challenged.
“Short-fused, reluctant to be photographed with the models, distracted, late to meetings, early to leave, unwilling to party with business partners. You’d think he had a ring around his finger. I don’t know who you are or who you work for,Anna, but I’m watching you.”
As she opened her mouth to tell Nate to go fuck himself, the threat she saw in his expression stopped her short.
“Hey, wait up!” Kyle called. They both turned their heads toward the mansion as Kyle jogged out, dressed in jeans and a Hunt Club T-shirt, with two travel mugs in hand. “Gerty said you needed coffee.” He handed her one of the mugs and gave her a quick kiss on the mouth. “Cream and sugar, right? If it’s too sweet, you can have mine.”
“It’s perfect, thank you,” she said without even trying it.
“Nate, what are you doing here? It’s Sunday, my day off, brother.”
“I invited Tanaka to a formal dinner this Friday night at my place. It’s imperative that you be there. Which of the models would you like to accompany you?”
Kyle glanced at Laina. Her eyes drifted to the leash in her hands. Would he ask her to go? Silas would never allow her to be that exposed. Not to mention, the full moon was Saturday. She’d be cutting it close. An emotional tinderbox.
“I’ll go alone this time,” Kyle said.
“No.” Nate shook his head. “Absolutely not. Out of the question, Kyle. It is not within the Hunt Club brand for you to be seen alone.”
Kyle braced himself against the hood of the car, eyes darting toward Laina. “I’ll give you an answer by the end of the day.”
Nate nodded. “How’s Milo working out? I wasn’t sure what you’d be dealing with, considering.”
“He’s settling in just fine, thanks.”
Nate nodded. “Care to join me for lunch? Personal, not work.”
Kyle glanced at Laina and back at Nate. “Uh, not today. Sorry, I have plans.”
With a curt nod, Nate shifted the Mercedes into drive and waved at Laina, his eyes drilling into her. “A pleasure, as always.” His gaze darted to his brother. “I’ll catch you later, Kyle.” The Mercedes circled, then drove off in the direction of the gatehouse.
“I’d better give Milo some exercise. He’s getting restless,” Laina said. In fact, the mastiff was pulling against her wrist and weaving from one side of the walkway to the other.
“Let me,” Kyle said, shifting his coffee into his opposite hand to take the leash from her.
“You don’t have to.”
“Didn’t you say that walking him was a key part of earning his trust?” His hazel eyes twinkled in the late-morning light.
She nodded and fell into place beside Kyle. He positioned Milo at his side expertly. Laina watched the dog heel, proud of what they’d accomplished. Milo trusted Kyle implicitly as his alpha. They’d be okay if she had to leave. Her heart turned to lead at the thought.
“I hope you didn’t turn down lunch because of me,” she said.
Confusion morphed into disappointment before Kyle’s polished grin snapped into place again. “I thought we could spend the day together.”
