Page 19 of Ice Wolf
I burst into laughter. What else could I do? “You’ve said so yourself. I’m sweet and innocent. There is no way people are going to believe a bad boy like Saint Masters would go for a naïve librarian.”
“Opposites do attract and make for the strongest relationships, punkin. Just look at your mother and me. Fake dating him is the easiest way of being allowed into his world. Don’t worry. Theman will feel grateful that you’re in his corner. He’ll be thanking you from day one. I guarantee it.”
I sat back, folding my arms, staring down at his smiling picture as I thought about the offer. “I don’t know a thing about hockey.”
“Even better. You won’t be considered a puck bunny.”
“A what?”
“Female fans more interested in the players than the game itself. The fact you aren’t an aficionado adds credence to the fact you’re dating. Another opposites attract moment. You’ll be fine. Just be natural when you go to a game.”
Great. Now I had to go to a damn hockey game.
“He’ll listen to and take my advice?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
“No matter what I tell him to do?” I was starting to think maybe this could work. On a temporary basis.
“You can be as tough on him as you feel you need.” Dad was grinning. He knew he’d won me over. “Just remember to debunk every myth out there. You’re creative. You’ll figure out exactly how to handle the task.”
Debunk every myth.
Like the one where he has two dicks?A lump formed in my throat.
I closed my eyes, cringing a little bit inside. I’d sworn I’d never go to work for my dad simply because I wanted my own life, one I chose. But the offer was one I just couldn’t pass up.
I prayed to Mother Nature this time I wasn’t going to regret this.
“Fine. I’ll see if I can make Saint into a Golden Boy.”
“Excellent. I’ll set up a meeting between the two of you. Hopefully that won’t take more than a day or two.” He lifted his eyebrows. “What about my second request?”
My stomach was in knots.
“I’ll pretend to date him, but he better not two-time me. However, I have one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“I get to meet him first before I finally decide. No pretense. No fancy bars. Just a location where we won’t be interrupted. If there’s chemistry of any kind, maybe I can pull off the great charade. If there isn’t, people will see right through the lie. That will make everything that much worse.”
He nodded. “You have a good point. I’ll set something up.”
“Make it painful for him. Why not see what he’s made of?”
My father shook his head. “You’re so much like your mother. She tortured me for weeks before agreeing to go out on a date with me.”
“Gee. I wonder why.”
Dad smirked. “And don’t worry, punkin. If he hurts my little girl, I’ll become his worst nightmare, not some crazy video.”
“Speaking of which. You don’t happen to have the link on your phone. Do you?”
“Yeah, I do. I will admit it’s pretty damning. The video was cleaned up a bit, lighting enhanced, but the content hasn’t been disturbed.” He pulled out his phone and I held my breath until he placed it in front of me.
As I watched the story unfold, prickles of heat coursing through my body mixed with one of those what-the-hell-have-you-signed-up-for moments.
Werewolves.
