Page 15 of Refuge

“Don’t you need to know if I have any experience?” she called out, surprised it had been that easy.

“I’ve seen you work with the wolves. You’ll be perfect.” He waved his hand as he continued on his way. “See you at seven sharp.”

“Yes!” Leeza gave a fist pump to the air then spun to find Sherry, but ran into a hard chest.

“What was that about?” Cole steadied her while glaring over her head. His eyes narrowed.

“I got a job.” Leeza was too excited to realize her words had a maddening effect on Cole. “I’m going to be working with horses. Isn’t that awesome?”

“No.” Cole’s voice was low and even as he then glared down at her.

“What? You don’t like horses?” Leeza asked, confused. What the hell did he have against horses?

“I don’t like him.” His response was like a cold bucket of water over her excitement.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re not working for him.” Leeza was afraid she knew exactly where this conversation was going, but she hoped she was wrong.

“And neither are you.” Cole’s voice took the “I’m the alpha male, you the little woman” tone, and it pissed her off.

“You know, Cole Jackson, the only male who ever had any say in my life was my brother, and he’s gone.” Leeza glared up at him. “There is no reason whatsoever I can’t work for Lance Cutter, except your macho alpha bullshit. You kissed me behind a trailer, Cole. That doesn’t mean you own me, and it never will.”

She tried to make a grand exit, but he stepped in front of her. “You can work anywhere you want, but not for him.”

“Hmm, is that so?” Leeza stared at him for a long moment, then looked away. “Hey, Larry?”

“Yep?” Larry, who was unsuspecting of the storm brewing, was walking by.

“Is there a strip club nearby?” Leeza asked, then smirked up at Cole.

Larry stopped and glanced at her in surprise. He then rubbed his chin in deep thought. “Well, there’s the Double D up in Wellington, but a lot of bikers hang at that joint. It’s not what it used to be. There’s also the Shiny Kitty down on Nagle Ave. That’s more classy. And then there’s—”

Leeza cleared her throat. “That’s good, Larry. Thanks.”

“No problem. Why’d you want to know where the strip clubs were around here?” Larry stopped rubbing his chin to scratch his head under his hat.

“’Cause I’m going to be applying.” Leeza looked away from Larry to stare up at a fuming Cole. Maybe she’d gone a little too far, but damn the man.

“Well then, go with the Shiny Kitty.” Larry waved as he continued on his way. “Them girls get good tips at the Kitty.”

Leeza chuckled, but then swallowed it when Cole took a step toward her.

“Not funny, Leeza.” Cole’s voice was hard, his eyes boring into hers as if he could see her soul.

“Neither is you trying to tell me what to do,” Leeza shot back. “I’m getting a job, Cole. I can’t keep living off others as I have been. If you can’t understand that, then I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is.”

“I’ll take care of you,” Cole finally said, his tone a little less sharp.

“And have people talking behind my back again?” Leeza shook her head. “No, thank you.”

“You are mine, Leeza. We both know it.” Cole’s voice was a low growl as he tried to reach for her, but she moved back quickly.

Leeza did know this, she really did, and yet, she was hesitant. They hardly knew each other. Just today they’d had their first kiss, yet she needed to be her own person for once. She was different from other women shifters, and if he knew her better, he’d know that, but he didn’t seem to. It would be so easy for her to let him take care of her, do everything for her, but she wasn’t made that way. Maybe it was because she and Riley had to grow up so fast after losing their parents at such a young age. Hell, she could barely remember them.

“You really don’t know me, do you?” Leeza tilted her head to really study him. Not just his looks like she usually did, but she looked deep into his eyes and realized, with a sinking heart, that he was just like other shifters. He expected her, his mate, to fold to his needs. She had secretly hoped he would be different, but deep down, she had always known he wasn’t.

“What kind of question is that?” Cole demanded, and she could tell he was trying to hold his anger in check.

“A very important one” was all she said, before she turned and rushed away. When she’d gazed into his eyes, she’d also realized that she was deeply in love with this man, and that scared her more than anything. There was only one man in her life who she had relied on, and he’d died, leaving her alone. Her brother had been her rock, and when she’d lost him, she’d lost a little of herself. She was trying to get that back, but could she do that and still be a good mate? In her heart, she knew she could, but did he know that?

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