Page 14 of The Bear's Fated Mate
Turning back to the room, he discovered a fierce scowl of disapproval on his gramps’s face, his gaze fixed on the protective arm Alex had wrapped around Lara—
The scent of her skin drifted through Alex’s system and his bear rumbled happily.
Stay with wolf?his inner beast suggested.
Oh, yes, it was a wonderful idea.
The description Giles Borealis had given in passing of Lara weeks earlier came to mind. Gramps had thought the woman was a cold fish and not worthy of Borealis attention? How much would it annoy the old man if Alex stuck to her side the entire evening and showered her with attention?
As a bonus, playing dirty would give him the opportunity to keep a very, very close eye on Lara. That would probably confuse the heck out of her.
Simple and twisted. Perfect. And he could do it all while being as charming and pleasant as he’d promised his brothers he’d be.
A workable plan firmly in place, Alex leaned in close, his lips next to Lara’s ear. “There’s delicious food involved, and we both know it’s good for our businesses to present a positive face to the world. Under the circumstances, I’m happy to enjoy your company.”
7
Her grip on Alex’s arm tightened before she dipped her chin decisively.
He guided them toward the gathering, keeping Lara at his side. The group flowed in different directions as the organizers took control of the evening. And while he lost sight of his grandfather, there was enough else going on to engage Alex’s attention.
The banquet hall had been decked out with a number of small round tables with comfortable seating for four. Around the outside of the room, steaming platters of food were being placed on long tables, and the scent rising from them made his mouth water.
Every fifteen to twenty minutes, a small bell rang and everyone rose to their feet and moved to the next table on their personalized list. They loaded new plates with fresh offerings and settled at a different space to converse with new tablemates.
As dinner passed, the good food and good conversation barely dented Alex’s awareness of Lara at his side. The scent of her drilled through all his senses. The heat of her touch grew increasingly addictive, and when she laid a hand on his arm, laughing at a comment from one of their companions, Alex had to acknowledge he wasn’t suffering in the least.
It wasn’t until the final rotation that they ended up matched with his grandmother and grandfather.
Time to act it up.
Alex pulled out a chair next to his grandmother for Lara. He leaned in and pressed his lips gently to her cheek. “Relax, sugar. I’ll get us another drink.”
Her eyes flashed with something that might’ve been a warning, but she kept smiling. “Thanks,sweetie. This is the perfect opportunity for me to ask your grandmother some questions.”
Drat. Leaving the two of them alone together wasn’t necessarily the best idea, especially since his gramps was nowhere in sight.
But Grandmother Laureen waved him off. “Go away, Alex. Lara will be fine with me.”
When he hesitated, she raised a brow, her iron backbone showing itself clearly even as she smiled demurely. The woman had put up with Gramps for umpteen years. Stood to reason she’d be as stubborn as any of them.
Lara pursed her lips and teasingly blew him a kiss. Alex rolled his eyes good-naturedly as he stepped away from the table to get them drinks.
He’d just picked up two fresh glasses of an excellent Merlot from the wine bar when he turned to discover he was on the receiving end of a very disappointed gaze.
“What are you up to, boy?” Gramps demanded.
Playing ignorant was so satisfying. “Six foot four.”
The furrow between his grandfather’s brows deepened as he glanced back at the table where Lara and his grandmother were chatting. “Care to explain what you’re doing withthatwoman?”
“I thought you admired her? Said she was a security expert?” It was fun to toss the old man’s words back at him.
A rude noise escaped his grandfather. “I said she was the only one of a bad lot with anything approaching a brain, but I was talking about business, not pleasure. The woman is all wrong for you. Ridiculous to see you hovering over her. She’s playing you, I tell you. Certainly would never be interested in your type, and good riddance.”
“Mytype?” Alex wasn’t sure if he should be amused or annoyed. “I’m a fine type—unpredictable. And of course she’s interested in me. I’m a Borealis.”
“Balderdash! Pretty, I’ll give you that, but a cold fish. Smart mind—good with security, obviously—but nothing there to heat up a man and keep him happy.” His grandfather paused, understanding brightening his face as he nodded decisively. “Oh, I get it. You’re obviously doing your duty for the company. Brilliant idea. I appreciate it. Painful you have to put up with her, though. Don’t go overboard. Makes you look silly, fawning over someone so clearly unsuitable.”
