“…to help me talk to some people in Flowering Dogwood.”
That was like stepping into a cold shower. Like a slap. Her libido withered like a salted slug.
“I work for an agency called Shifters, Inc.,” he continued. “And we need help from someone who’s an insider.”
She’d heard of Shifters, Inc., a security agency who did everything from personal protection to rescuing kidnap victims.“Pass, thanks.” She didn’t even have to think about it. If she wouldn’t go back for Hattie, she sure as hell wouldn’t go back for a perfect—very, very perfect—stranger.
He blinked, but his expression didn’t alter.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Of course, this incredibly hot man wasn’t interested in her—just what he thought she could do for him: get him into an area where outsiders weren’t welcome.
She opened her eyes again, her expression firm. “No. If that’s all, you can leave.”
“Did you know that the odds of us meeting were astrological because we’re fated mates?” he blurted out.
“What?”she stared at him in confusion.
“Astronomical! That’s what I said.”
She shook her head, and tendrils of hair slid over her eye. She tucked them back behind her ear, noting how his eyes followed her every movement. “Nope. Pretty sure it wasn’t.”
“It’s what I meant.” His face flushed with embarrassment and he took a shuffling step backwards, suddenly looking awkward and unsure. Good.
“Either way, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sorry.” He winced. “Something about you fogs up my brain. But we are. Fated mates. I’m pretty sure.”
“God, I hope not, because I wouldn’t want to be fated-mated to a manipulative asshole. Did you seriously think I’d just melt into your arms and rush off to introduce you to all the folks back home? You’re hot, but not hot enough to short-circuit my brain, you douchewad.”
She didn’t miss the little spark of satisfaction in his eyes when she said he was hot, but then he heaved a very fake, very manufactured sigh. “I knew this was a mistake. You’re way too smart to be manipulated. I knew you were clever as well as beaut—” Her fangs shot out of her gums and her eyes went murderous. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I’m not a particularly smooth operator, all right?” He held up his hands defensively. “I just got out of the army. Been in since I was eighteen. You’d be surprised how little training time is spent on wooing and reading love poems.” His expression turned business-like. No more fake-seduction glinting in his eyes. Krista’s fox was sad, but Krista’s human side—the side that was in control—was resolute and angry. “So, cards on the table. There’s a missing lion shifter cub, out in Flowering Dogwood. Ethan Coffman. Nine years old.He vanished this morning.”
She could have told him to notify local law enforcement, but both she and he knew it would be a waste of time.
“Why are you involved?”
“We’ve been hired to bring him home.”
Even though the mention of her childhood home should have completely quenched the raging lust-fire that burned inside her, she couldn’t stop watching his lips as they formed words, imagining how they would feel on her mouth, her neck. Her nipples.
She forced her gaze up to his eyes. Rich amber, concerned and sincere. “Why do you need me?”
“Because you’re from there, and you’re close with a prominent family from the very area where the boy disappeared. And I can’t investigate without a local helping me.”
Close with a prominent family—he could only be talking about Dawnie Reed and her little clan of moonshiners. She snorted, leaning back in her chair. “That’s funny.” But her smile hurt her face.
“Why is that funny?”
“Because I’m the last person anyone wants to see back in the holler. You think they hate outsiders? Wait ‘til you see how they feel about me.” Anyone outside of her immediate family, that is. She would be allowed to head straight to the reunion and then straight back out of town, but hanging around would be hazardous to her health.
He narrowed his gaze at her. “Why’s that?”
None of your business,you gorgeous blackmailing bastard.“I left on bad terms. I won’t be any more welcome there than you would. Possibly even less, because they’ve never met you, but me… certain people hold a grudge against me.”
He stared at her like she was prey and he was hunting her.
Her knees went weak. Damn. When had her bones all turned liquid? A brief wave of dizziness washed over her, and she blinked hard.
“Look, I’m sorry about the missing kid. I am. If he’s alive, I truly hope you find him. But if I go there with you, doors will slam in your face so fast it’ll make your head swim. You’d have more luck on your own then you would with me.”
Her heart ached at the thought of a missing cub, but she wasn’t lying to Blake. She’d not only be putting herself in deadly peril if she showed up in Flowering Dogwood after ten years, pounding on doors and asking questions – she’d be putting Blake and the cub right in the crosshairs with her.
