She crossed her fingers and hoped that Boris had already contacted Nicola Sturgess. If she wanted to find out anything useful about the Clouded Map, she’d have to do it before that witches’ meeting at noon. Suddenly time was of the essence.
She veered towards the excited tourists planning to loop around them, scurry back to her flat to get changed and contact Boris, but she’d barely reached them when she caught sight of a familiar figure watching her progress from her own damned doorway. Her steps faltered. What the hell?
Mallory didn’t know where Alexander MacTire had sprung from. She certainly hadn’t noticed him in the vicinity when she’d left her flat. It had been mere hours since they’d parted company and she couldn’t imagine any good reason why he’d be here now. Given that he was standing at her front door, though, she couldn’t avoid him. She grimaced and squared her shoulders.
‘Ms Nash,’ MacTire said as she drew near. ‘It’s good to see you again.’
She couldn’t pretend to be anything other than confused by his presence. ‘You know where I live?’
He smiled easily, flashing his white teeth. ‘I guess you’re not the only one who’s good at winkling out important information when it’s required.’
Mallory stared at him, more discomfited than ever. What was he doing here? ‘What do you want?’ she asked, dread filling her whole body. She tightened her toes but even that familiar action didn’t alleviate her anxiety.
His face altered. ‘I apologise. I don’t mean to scare or worry you. After we parted company, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I spoke to a few acquaintances who know where you live. My intention isn’t to alarm you – I only want to talk.’
He couldn’t stop thinking about her? What did that mean?
‘This is business,’ he added quickly, reading her expression. ‘I have a proposition to put to you.’
Mallory was still completely befuddled. She passed a hand in front of her eyes. ‘This isn’t a good time. I’m in a rush.’
‘I can tell,’ he said. ‘You’re in such a rush, you didn’t have time to get dressed.’ He gestured to her pyjamas, the bottoms of which were visible beneath the hem of her coat.
Ah. He was dressed immaculately, of course, in a smart grey pinstriped suit and brilliantly white shirt open at the collar. There wasn’t a crease in sight. Mallory was wearing her favourite fuzzy pyjamas covered in images of strawberries and her somewhat grubby winter coat. Oh well.
‘What can I say? I’m a busy person.’ She sidestepped as if to move past him but MacTire wasn’t budging. She couldn’t squeeze past him and she certainly couldn’t push him out of the way.
‘I won’t take up much of your time,’ he said. ‘It’s about the Wolf Ball.’
Seriously? He’d turned up on her doorstep at this hour of the morning to talk about a cocktail party? She tried to keep her expression neutral but she knew that she’d betrayed her thoughts when she caught a glimmer of amusement in those damned eyes.
‘You said that I shouldn’t go with Samantha. I thought about your suggestion and I agree with you – but that rather begs the question of who Ishouldgo with.’
Much as she wanted to get away from this conversation, Mallory sensed that it would be quicker to engage with him. And shehadcreated this situation by discussing the Ball last night in the restaurant. She tapped her foot and considered the question.
‘Perhaps I should go alone,’ MacTire said.
She shook her head immediately. ‘No, you don’t want to turn up without someone on your arm – it’ll look as if something is wrong with you. You should go with someone who isn’t threatening, who is obviously not a love interest and who signifies to all the single women out there that you’re a good guy who’s worth getting to know.’
He snapped his fingers. ‘That’s exactly what I was thinking.’ He grinned at her. ‘Ms Mallory Nash, would you do me the honour?’
Her mouth dropped open. ‘Huh?’
‘You’re the perfect companion. I’ve been thinking it over and I can’t imagine a better choice.’
She continued to stare at him open-mouthed.
‘You’re a squib, which means you’re not threatening.’ He gestured between them. ‘We’re obviously opposites and you made it clear last night that you’re not attracted to me, so you’re not a potential love interest. Most people will realise that immediately. But youarefriendly and charming, so with you on my arm I’ll prove my worth as an eligible bachelor.’
Mallory found her voice. ‘You think you need to prove your worth? You’re the MacTire alpha.’
He grimaced. ‘Some time ago I decided that I wouldn’t find a mate who was a wolf. I’ve already burned my bridges with a lot of werewolf women – that’s partly why I had dinner with Kit last night. I was trying to expand my search. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out. Perhaps it’s time I made a completely fresh start. You know what you’re doing. You can advise me and tell me if there are any werewolf women out there who I should look at more closely. I may have judged some of them too harshly the first time around, and it could be that I need to lower my expectations.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Mallory swallowed. ‘Look, Mr MacTire, I don’t feel comfortable with this. It’s not a business deal, it’s about your personal life – hell, it’s about the rest of your life. And another woman’s life. This isn’t what I do.’
MacTire smiled even more widely. ‘Of course it’s a business deal. I want to hire you to carry out a favour for me. I want you to come to the Wolf Ball and help me find the right woman to be my First Mate. I’m looking for someone who will understand my pack and its needs, who won’t interfere with my day-to-day business dealings, and who will present herself appropriately. It’s not a lot to ask.’
It sounded horrendous and Mallory was already shaking her head. ‘Absolutely not. I’m sure you can find a marriage broker who’ll help you. This isn’t for me.’
