“Good evening, Mr. Kahler,” the woman said into the thick tension as the raucous din of the Betas faded away, the husky tones of a sultry voice swirling through the air. She sounded more accustomed to murmured exhalations in bedrooms than boardrooms, despite the slutty chic suit baring the swell of firm breasts and snugged tight at her trim waist.
Rubbing her hands over the backs of her arms, Quinn turned and tried to run back upstairs. Gripping her thin shirt, wringing it to be rid of the hideous thing slithering around the jagged cold. Both warring from supremacy as her feet refused to budge.
“I wasn’t aware you were coming by, Ms. DeVries.”
With his voice coming closer to Quinn’s back, she trembled. Wrenched at the bond, trying to suffocate it so he wouldn’t feel the turmoil within her. Feeling the stairs shudder under his feet, she tried again to brush past the two men blocking her path.
“I thought I’d deliver the files in person, seeing as we haven’t officially met yet,” DeVries said, the lilting tone edging into a tease. “I find I get a better feel for those I work with when I’m able to sit down with them personally. You’re also very particular in your needs from me.”
Shoulder caught the instant Quinn thought the vicious paralysis broken, Tobias pulled her into his chest. Rumbled a quiet sound that didn’t dare to be a purr in front of another Alpha against her temple before fingers under her chin brought her eyes to his.
“Everything okay?”
“I didn’t know—”
“I know, little bird. I’m busy now though, so tell me what you need.”
“Nothing, I just came down to get Adam a snack.”
“All right then.”
Unexpected, his lips brushed hers. A feather-light kiss that promised to be much more when he had the time and less of an audience. Smoothing his thumb over her cheek as he pulled back, a slow smile crept over his lips as he bounced his brows once in a playful tease. Gone down the steps, arm held out to invite the attractive Alpha into the dining room he was conducting his meetings in.
Not until the doors shut tight and Quinn rummaged through the disordered kitchen for a pudding cup and spoon did she understand the filthy muck oozing around her insides. Examined the murky shadows of it as she traipsed back upstairs to relieve Rebecca of her babysitting duties.
She was jealous. There was no other word for it.
Chapter Sixteen
It was late when he finished and came to her. Perched on the edge of the bed, Quinn stared at the nest she’d remade half a dozen times with a critical eye. Unable to decide if it was the lifeless sheets or the bed that reeked of warehouses, her fingers itched to start all over.
“What exactly do you think you are doing,” Tobias asked as he closed the door behind him.
The snick of the lock sliding home echoed through the sudden quiet, Quinn frozen where she leaned over to push at a stiff fold. Raising her eyes to him, she gave a slow blink. He’d asked that often in the beginning, when she was doing something he felt was improper. Memory at odds with the rough, teasing tone he used now, Quinn’s brows drifted down to pinch tight.
“My mate should be naked and spread for me at the end of a long day.” The curve of his lips was indolent, hands tugging at the knot of his tie as he began to undress.
“Your mate is tired and sore.”
“Excuses. Her Alpha will make it better.”
“Perhaps her Alpha thinks too much of his abilities.” Quinn bit the corners of her lips to keep the smile at bay, watching the man stalking towards her divest himself of shirt and jacket in one easy shrug.
“Now he has to prove his prowess!”
Tobias’ mock growl sent tension skittering through the delicate vertebrae of her spine, pulling it tight as she shuffled away. Pupils narrowed to pinpoints, she stared up at the large male as he loomed closer.
“Quinn, it’s only me.” Pitched low, he tried to soothe. Easing down into a crouch at the end of the bed so that he wouldn’t threaten the space she’d put between them.
Covering her face with her hands, she groaned into her palms. Let loose a ragged snarl of frustration as she clenched fistfuls of her hair. “I’m sorry, I—”
“You’re going to tell me you love me again.”
“What?” Quinn’s scoffing laugh was more a squawk of dismay, eyes snapping up to meet his as he edged closer.
“This time you’re not going to be high on sex, either,” he said as he went to his knees before her. Hands covering her thighs, he pried them apart, making room as he settled against her.
“I never said any such thing.”
