Page 18 of The Secret Mate Society

"What kind of story makes someone risk all that?"I asked, genuinely curious.

He turned his gaze toward the floor, the scent of shame growing stronger.“I uh… don’t really want to talk about it.”

"Fair enough," I said, letting it drop.The reporter's sudden vulnerability made my chest tighten in a way I didn't want to examine too closely."We all have things we'd rather not discuss."

Ethan looked up, his green eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my wolf stir restlessly."Like how you knew my heart was racing earlier?"

I stiffened, cursing myself again for the slip."I told you?—"

"You can see the artery in my neck.Yeah."His gaze never wavered."Except you weren't looking at my neck when you said it."

Damn.Observant little human.Most people would have accepted the explanation without question.But Ethan wasn't most people, was he?

"You're a journalist," I deflected."Reading people is part of your job, isn't it?"

"Reading people, yes.But hearing their heartbeats?”

“I didn’t hear it,” I lied.“I just… noticed your tension.It was a good guess.I pay attention.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, clearly not believing my lie.His discerning look only lasted a moment before he seemed to let it go.“So, I didn’t peg you as a crotch rocket kind of guy,” he said at last, nodding toward the window where my bike was parked out front.

I tensed slightly, my eyes following his gaze to my Kawasaki."What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing bad," Ethan said, raising his hands in mock surrender."Just pictured you more as a pickup truck kind of guy.You know, rugged, outdoorsy."

I couldn't help but smirk."You've been picturing what kind of vehicle I drive?"

The flush that crept up his neck was immediate and satisfying."I didn't mean—that's not what I—" He took a breath, composing himself."It's the journalist in me.I notice details, make assumptions."

"And what other assumptions have you made about me?"I asked, leaning forward slightly.

Ethan hesitated, his scent shifting to something more complex—curiosity mixed with that same sweet undercurrent of attraction."That you're not just here because you wanted to talk about those cattle attacks."His voice dropped to barely above a whisper."That you're… here forotherreasons."

The hair on the back of my neck stood up.This human was too perceptive for his own good.My wolf bristled beneath my skin, uncertain whether to view him as a threat or something I should claim as my own.

“Other reasons?”I said, trying to feign ignorance.“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Uh, huh,” he nodded.“Sure, Jan.”

I furrowed my brows in confusion.“Who’s Jan?”

Ethan just laughed.“Clearly there are some movies you’ve missed out on.”

His laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling despite my better judgment.There was something disarmingly genuine about him that kept catching me off guard.

“So,” he said, leaning across the table.“What would you say about taking me for a ride on your bike?”That smile of his told me all I needed to know.“Strictly professional of course.”

My body tensed.I knew I should say no.Taking Ethan on my bike meant having him pressed against me, his arms around my waist, his scent enveloping me with nowhere to escape it.My wolf practically howled with approval at the thought.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," I said, though the words felt hollow even to my own ears.

"Why not?"Ethan challenged, the reporter's persistence shining through."Afraid I'll mess up your bad boy image?"

"I'm not a bad boy," I growled, perhaps a bit too defensively.

"Could've fooled me," he replied, eyes twinkling with mischief."Leather jacket, motorcycle, brooding expression.You're checking all the boxes."

I rolled my eyes."I don't brood."