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Sitting up, I yank the post-it stuck to my forehead free and smooth a hand over my dishevelled hair, cursing myself for not bothering with makeup or a hair brush this morning.
This is no ordinary Grey Ridge local.
Closing the door firmly behind himself is the most striking man I’ve ever seen. Sniffing the air subtly, I stifle a moan as his scent hits my nose, and my insides coil tight. He smells like sin and power, wrapped up in a tall, dark, and devastating package.
“I gotta go.” I cut Marcus off mid-sentence and end the call just as the stranger turns to face me. His warm smile practically melts my underwear right off. His dark hair is short, and my fingers itch to run over it, to feel those bristles under my palm. Wearing a worn leather bomber jacket over a fitted black t-shirt, his broad shoulders and clearly defined pecs make my mouth water. Reaching up with a tanned hand, he takes off his mirrored aviators and tucks them into the neck of his t-shirt.
I’m aware of every movement he makes as he approaches. The way his tongue darts out to touch the corner of his mouth. His straight posture, and the relaxed confidence he exudes as he crosses the room, eyes locked on mine, makes me swoon.
“Hello, there,” he says, full lips turning up in a charming grin as he blatantly checks me out. If he wasn’t looking straight at me, I’d fan myself. “I’m looking for Deputy Lennox.”
Oh yes. Yes, you are. I am exactly who you need.
The heavens have sent me a sexy man to enjoy, with no wedding ring on those strong hands, and an aura that can handle my own. He’s not a shifter from what I can tell, but there’s something about his confidence that lets me know he’s formidable, even to a bear like me. My curiosity, and maybe another part of my anatomy, is well and truly aroused.
Standing to greet him, I remain professional but polite, trying to drag my wandering eyes off his tall, muscular frame. A small part of me gets a thrill from the way his own eyes travel over my body, and I see a flash of interest. Probably because he doesn’t even attempt to disguise it.
“You’re looking at her. What can I do for you?” Giving him my most beguiling smile, I’m ashamed to admit my eyelashes might have done a little flutter. I’m only human. Ish. And you don’t meet a guy like this every day.
At the very least, I was expecting another smile from him, and maybe a little harmless flirting to perk my mood on this dull afternoon. Best case scenario, maybe a dinner and a beer, and something to do other than third wheeling it with my brother or the Walkers on a Saturday night.
Instead, his expression immediately morphs from warm and open to cold and closed off.
“You’re Deputy Lennox?” He sounds disappointed that he has to deal with me. Narrowing his eyes, he looks around the tiny office where the only other person, Michael, is hiding behind his computer, trying to ignore the two of us. A submission wolf only interested in helping with the admin, he’ll want no part of this.
Is this guy really hoping there’s someone else here for him to speak with instead?
“Yes, I am.”
His scowl deepens and my anger goes off the charts. I was fine to ogle when he thought I was the receptionist but not now that I’m not some timid little lady.
Feeling uncharacteristically edgy, I can't keep my mouth shut. “Were you hoping for someone else? Maybe someone with balls?”
His head jerks back in shock, and he glares at me. Ha. Weren’t expecting me to call you on your sexist bullshit, were you, gorgeous? When his lips curl into a cruel smile, my self-congratulating stops.
He knows something I don’t, and I’m not going to like it.
Who the hell is this guy? Please don't tell me he's in the force.
“Let’s start again.” Stretching up to his full height, he must be 6-foot-5-inches, he plasters a fake smile on his face and extends a hand. It does nothing to reduce my ire, and I ignore the gesture, waiting to hear what he has to say first. “I’m Chase Walker.”
Ooohh.
This is the mysterious older brother Leah and Hayley have been dreading. Suddenly, it all makes sense. I thought they were exaggerating when they said he was difficult. Now, I think they may have been playing it down.
“And I’d like to know, Deputy Lennox, why you and your brother seem to have done absolutely fuck all to find the man who’s been trying to wipe out my family.”
The pale grey eyes, just like Zoe’s, combined with his bronze skin, are hypnotic, as is the insanely strong aura he possesses. I should have known. What a great detective I am. If I hadn’t been checking him out, I might have spotted Leah’s car parked right outside.
Shit, shit, shit.
Looking smug and self-satisfied at my expense, he has my blood pressure going through the roof. I should be giving him the party line, telling him that we have numerous lines of inquiry ongoing but nothing concrete as of yet. The best thing would be to assure him we’re still working on it and will be back in touch with the family members involved as soon as we have news.
Instead, when he places his big hands flat on my desk, his long fingers and bulging veins surprisingly attractive, leaning forward trying to intimidate me, my bear roars to life. She feels snubbed. He picked the wrong bear on the wrong day.
“Listen, Chad. I was at your sister’s yoga class this morning. I see Hayley practically every day. We’re as good as family. They know we’re doing everything we can. If YOU had been around, you’d know that. So don’t come in here and speak to me with that attitude.” Pointing to the door, I refuse to wilt under his furious glare. “I’m not at liberty to discuss an ongoing case with anyone other than the parties involved, even if I wanted to. You can show yourself out.”
With the slow grace of a true predator, he stands up straight, never blinking, never looking away from my gaze, and takes one step back from my desk.
