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Armand took off the sunglasses, and the skin around his eyes crinkled as he smiled at me. The wolf was ancient, but now that I got a better look at him in his human form when I wasn’t in a full-blown panic, he appeared to be about thirty. In his prime in every way imaginable.
Not that I was thinking of him in that way. More like, sizing up the competition.
Pure adrenaline flowed through my veins as I slid out of the van, trying to look my most sleek and sophisticated. It wasn’t a style I’d let myself get familiar with in the past. I channeled Bibi and sauntered over to the wolf.
“What’s the plan for the night?” I asked.
Armand reached for my hand. His firm grip was a shock to my system. My first instinct was to pull away, but I wanted to see what he’d do. He brought it to his lips and brushed them against it. It wasn’t a kiss. It was more like he was inhaling my scent.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, not answering the question.
“You think so?”
His gaze flicked to meet mine. “Are you not accustomed to thinking that you’re beautiful, or are these modern men too stupid to realize it?”
The wolf said exactly what was on his mind, and I planned to use that to my advantage. “Didn’t think I’d be your type. I’d expect you to go for someone with a more classic vibe.”
“You chose me,” he reminded me. “But I’m not displeased about it. Together, we will make magic.”
I tipped my head. He was still holding my hand. “What’s your idea of magic?”
“You’re about to find out. Come with me.” He put his other hand on the small of my back and started leading me to the car.
“That’s not how this works.” Bibi stepped in front of him, one long purple fingernail in the air. “All travel is done by the van.”
“I’m taking her on a date,” Armand said. His body tensed. I had a feeling ‘no’ was a word that he didn’t like to hear, especially from a woman.
Which meant I wasn’t going anywhere without Bibi and the crew.
“You come with us in the van.” Bibi tossed a glance to the black car that was waiting to whisk us away. “Don’t know who you’ve got with you, but I’m sad to say they aren’t invited.”
“They’re my pack, and they were very much looking forward to meeting the woman who chose me. But if you insist I go in the van, then that’s what I’ll do.” He let go of my hand so he could let his boys know there was a change of plans.
“This is going great,” I whispered to Bibi through gritted teeth.
She had her hands on her hips, glaring at him. “We’ve just got to show him who’s boss.”
The problem was, he hadn’t done anything awful. He just took the whole alpha male thing off the deep end, I thought as he let me climb into the van before he did. Tina and Marissa, both part wolf shifter, gave him a long look as they settled into their seats.
Good. They felt the same way.
He was polite in a way that was completely infuriating.
“Where to?” Bjorn asked gruffly.
“The Larkspur.”
It was only the newest, trendiest restaurant in Sunset Springs. I’d never been, but I’d overheard other guests at the chalet huff about the weeks-long wait for reservations. It wasn’t the type of place I ever pictured myself going.
So I couldn’t help my low whistle. “How did you get a table there?”
“My connections in the area run deep.”
“I love that you chose a place named after a purple wildflower. Very fitting.” Bibi beamed at us from the front seat, and we were back to business as usual.
“So you’re from here,” I decided to run with his statement. “What do you do?”
“I’ve been waiting, somewhat impatiently, for my freedom.” His gaze was squarely on me. “Before that, I was an influential member of the community.”
