Page 5 of The Bear's Fated Mate
Her mouth fell open, confusion slipping in too quickly to be an act. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m teaching a beginner class for local businesses regarding online security. Why would your grandfather have signed up forthat?”
“That can’t be right.” Alex struggled to remember exactly what the old man had told him the previous night. Although to be honest, the conversation had taken place during some rather distracting circumstances. “He said he had a meeting at two o’clock with someone who had cutting-edge information—you—and that it was vital I attend.”
She dug into the leather messenger bag on her shoulder and pulled out a notebook, ignoring him as she flipped through pages. “Well, I hope it’s up-to-date and informative, but I can’t imagine Borealis Gems getting anything new from this presentation. Today is all beginner stuff. You’ve already got the biggest and brightest security available.”
“A compliment? Are you sure you want to go that far?” Alex folded his arms over his chest, slightly annoyed at the fierce sense of pride that struck at her praise for his work. Because, as the chief of Borealis Gems security, itwashis work.
But he didn’t need anyone to tell him he did a good job. Certainly not some blonde pixie who seemed to have perfected the ability to get on his last nerve without even trying.
“It’s not a compliment when it’s true,” Lara pointed out, still flipping pages. “In fact, I’ve heard some of your Remote Access Trojans are still showing up in South America after that hacking attempt last March.”
He growled softly, all amusement gone. “How did you know about the RATs?”
Lara lifted her head and looked at him in shock, her fingers stuck between the pages of her book. “It’s been all over the news? Every security provider I know is trying their best to duplicate whatever you put in place. It’s turned out to be the perfect solution to fend off most hackers because they’re scared to death someone will get intotheirsystems.”
“Oh.” The news. He’d stupidly forgotten it was common knowledge and instantly leapt to suspecting she’d been snooping in his business.
The softness that had been there a moment ago melted off her face to be replaced with a strictly professional and utterly unemotional façade. “Yes,oh.”
Say you’re sorry,his bear instructed firmly.
Alex’s back stiffened. He’d been on the verge of apologizing, but now?Shut up and mind your own business.
Is my business, you babbling third cousin to a baboon—
Lara lifted her book in the air and interrupted his bear’s smart comeback. She pointed to a list of names. “That’s weird, but yes, your grandfather signed up for my class. But he only used his last initial, and I wasn’t looking at first names that closely. I can tell you right now you don’t need to stay. If I offer a more advanced class down the road, you’ll have to sign up then. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I came early so I could set up before my students arrive.”
She turned her back, and there was really nothing he could do except watch as she unlocked the door, stepped through, and firmly closed it in his face.
3
With the usual busyness of life, it was nearly the end of July before the weird mistake their grandfather had made returned to Alex’s mind. All three brothers were gathered in their retreat room upstairs at the tavern, relaxing and catching up midway through the summer.
Who was he kidding? Everything about that day had lingered in his thoughts far too often. How was it possible to be both intrigued and annoyed beyond measure by the petite wolf shifter? The fact Lara had gotten the jump on him—
Damn it, he was getting a hard-on just thinking about it. Not because he had any particular reason to relish eating dirt, but because it was a turn-on beyond belief to know that as delicate as she seemed, if they ever got physical he’d be able to let go wholeheartedly.
Alex Borealis liked enthusiastic sex.
If he was honest, he also liked how Lara looked. From the top of her silvery hair all the way down to those leather-clad fuck-me boots, she was one hell of a tempting woman.
But what he liked the most was doing what needed to be done for his family, and in his role as chief of security for Borealis Gems, anyone who threatened their livelihood wasn’t to be fraternized with.
The other gem company in the territory, Midnight Inc., had been a constant source of annoyance over the years. They’d never done anything illegal as far as he could tell, but there was a constant one-upmanship going on between the two firms. Alex approved of competition in the marketplace, but he didn’t approve of people using his family to get ahead, and that was where his main suspicions currently lay.
He wondered if Midnight Inc. was planning on playing dirty. The gorgeous, sensual Lara Lazuli had been slowly making friends with the women closest to his brothers. Women who had access to secrets and the most secure parts of Borealis Gems.
A logical reason for Lara’s newfound interest in Amber and Kaylee was to dig up insider information.Thatwasn’t happening on his watch, no matter how much her swaying hips made his body ache.
You’re grumpy,his bear complained.
I have my reasons,Alex snapped.
Wouldn’t be grumpy if you let the wolf pet you.
Alex sighed in exasperation, although he had to agree. A little petting from Lara would do a whole lot to ease his frustrations.
Onto more immediate issues…
