Unmasking the Wolf (5 page)

Approved to move forward. Please send all info to me ASAP.

Excitement built within him. Finally, after all the months of testing and retesting, they were going to trial. He glanced at the picture of Laura he kept on his desk. She would’ve been so happy. His sister always had the brains in their family. He’d had high hopes for her future before her life was snatched away.

Forwarding the text to Dominic, he added a note for all the files to be copied to his email so he could review them before passing them on to Meredith. A thumbs-up emoticon was Dominic’s only response. Laughing at his employee’s simple text, he continued working.

Hours later, after he had a crick in his neck from staring at the computer all afternoon, he called it a day. Weak sunlight dotted the sky as he left the Mason Building. The parking garage was to the left, but he turned right. As if of their own volition, his feet carried him the couple of blocks to Vino’s.

The pastry shop was due to close at six. It was improbable Gina was still working, but he had to see for himself. He stood at the glass and peered in. Vino was wiping down the tables, but it was the redhead standing at the counter who held his attention.

His hands fisted on the need to touch her. Every single brain cell screamed at him to go to her, but he fought the intense urge. She didn’t know he was a wolf. Once L-12 was approved, he could tell her. For now, he had to keep pretending he was only human.

But he couldn’t let her slip out of his fingers.

The bell above the door tinkled as he pulled it open. Gina glanced at him, her eyes widening at the sight of him. Wariness appeared on her face before it was smoothed away by a polite smile. “How may I help you?”

There were many ways she could help him, but they all required privacy and nudity. Hell, right now he’d just settle for the nudity bit. “Two cupcakes.” A cursory glance at the counter made up his mind. “Vanilla orange.”

He didn’t like sweets, but ordering cupcakes would keep her before him instead of over at the coffee machine. “How was your day?”

“Busy.” She ducked beneath the counter and pulled out his selection. She packaged them in a small white box. “How was yours?”

“It’s looking up.” He held her gaze and waited for his meaning to sink in.

The skin above her high cheekbones turned pink. “That’ll be seven twenty-five.”

He pulled a ten-dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it to her. “You hungry?”

The cash register dinged as the tray popped out. “Excuse me?”

He pocketed the change she gave him. “Go to dinner with me.”

“You don’t give up do you?”

The pink of her T-shirt should clash with her coloring, but it didn’t. The apron hid most of her delightful curves. He didn’t need to see them. The memory was branded inside him. “Not when I really want something.”

She bit her lip as if in indecision.

He attempted to coax her with a smile. “I promise I won’t bite.”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Just dinner?”

If he had it his way, there would be much more. But he could go slowly. “Do you like steak?”

A glazed look took over her eyes. “I adore steak.”

A carnivore. Wonderful. Too many females of his acquaintance had turned vegan. “I know the perfect place. It’s a bit out of the way, but I promise their steak is the best in Boston.”

“Okay.” She glanced at the clock on the wall behind her. “I get off in ten minutes. Meet you out front?”

“I’ll go get the car.”

After retrieving his Lexus, he pulled up to the curb just as Vino and Gina exited the shop. He threw the car in park and jumped out to open the door for her.

She seemed surprised by the gesture. “Uh, thank you.”

“My pleasure.” A whiff of her scent teased him as she slid onto the leather seat. It was a mixture of coffee beans, frosting, and her unique vanilla scent. She smelled good enough to eat.

Vino chuckled and threw up his hand. “See you later, Luke. Treat my gal right.”

“I intend to,” Luke replied as he went back to the driver’s side.

•●•

Not wanting Dominic to worry, Gina sent a quick text to let him know she was going out to eat. He was working late, so he only responded with
Have fun
. No need to tell him who she was going with. If he assumed it to be Vino, oh well.

Tucking her cell inside her pocket, she glanced over at Luke. He guided the Lexus through the crowded streets with ease. They’d headed north into an area she hadn’t visited. She’d expected him to head downtown, but instead he seemed to be going out of the city.

Unease struck her. How well did Dominic really know his boss? Why had she agreed to go out alone with him?

“I make you nervous.”

Luke’s voice seemed overly loud. Her gaze jerked back to him. “No.”

A smile twitched at his lips. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I didn’t think you would.” She swallowed with an audible gulp. “I’ve just never been in this neighborhood before.”

“We’re almost there.” The glow of the nightlights that came on as they drove shone on his handsome visage. “Don’t worry. You’ll be safe with me.”

A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of a tiny brick building. A courtyard, dotted with iron benches and tables, was off to one side. A long line of people waited outside the door.

“Wow, must be packed.” Her stomach chose that moment to growl. She clapped a hand over it.

Getting out of the car, Luke came around to open her door again. She wasn’t used to men behaving like gentlemen. The guys back home were nothing like him. “Thanks.”

The air was redolent with the scent of grilled meat. Her scant breakfast of a bagel long since digested. She was starving, and the thought of an hour wait made her want to cry.

Seeing her crestfallen expression, Luke took her arm. “Come with me.”

He strode to the front of the line. Unexpectedly, the crowd moved aside for them to enter. The hostess beamed at him. “Mr. Mason! How good to see you again.”

Gina was amazed as the hostess motioned for a waiter to seat them. She followed in Luke’s wake, conscious of the eyes that trailed after them. Was the man some sort of god?

Once they were seated and the wine ordered, Luke explained. “Did I mention I’m the owner?”

“Well, that explains it.” Gina laughed as she opened her menu and glanced at the selection. “Oh my.”

“What is it?”

She gave him a sheepish look. “Is it wrong of me to want to try a little bit of everything?”

His appreciative gaze stared into her. “I like a woman with an appetite.”

“Gluttony is my vice.” She dropped her gaze back to the menu, intent on choosing between the prime rib and the rib eye.

“You couldn’t tell it.”

She glanced back at him questioningly. An entirely too male smile appeared. “You’re a shapely woman.”

She dropped the menu and patted her rounded hips. “Tell that to my thighs.”

“I’d love to.” A hot gaze raked over her.

Flushed from the heat of his expression, she forced breath in and out of her nostrils. “Easy now. You said just dinner.”

Laughter escaped him. “A promise is a promise.” He gave her an innocent look. “Are you sure no dessert?”

It was easy to like Luke. He seemed so capable and businesslike one moment, and playful and fun the next. “We’ll see how dinner goes first.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

The food arrived soon after they ordered. She gorged on the delicious prime rib she’d chosen. It was medium rare and seasoned to perfection. Humming under her breath, she put another piece in her mouth.

“Delicious,” she murmured.

Luke watched her over the rim of his wine glass. After he’d sipped, he put the glass down and chuckled. “Would you like another?”

Only a few bites remained on her plate. She actually considered his offer. “I’d better not. I’d like to walk out of here, not be rolled.”

After dinner
and
dessert, they left the restaurant. It was nearly nine o’clock. The moon was partly visible through wispy clouds. The parking lot was behind the building. They crossed through a small alley to get to his car.

Laughing at a joke he made, she was taken off guard when Luke suddenly turned and backed her against the wall. The coolness of the bricks seeped through her thin shirt, but all she felt was warmth emanating from Luke’s body.

“I’m sorry.”

She ignored how good his body felt pressed against hers. “For what?”

“Lying. It’s not just dinner.” A grin broke out a moment before he lowered his head and kissed her.

Gina was ready for it. Leaning up on the tips of her toes, she eagerly met his mouth. She’d been a kissed a few times, but nothing could prepare her for the sparks. Their lips met, softly touching, before the kiss deepened. Mouths pressed together, both strained to gain control. Despite her attempts to take over the kiss, Luke remained in command. His tongue slid into her mouth, tasting of the chocolate dessert they’d just shared.

She was so far gone, it was several moments until she realized the sound she’d just heard meant they were no longer alone in the alley. Lifting her head, she sniffed the air. Luke stiffened beside her, as if he too had sensed danger.

A rock skittered down the alley. “Did you hear . . . ?”

Her words trailed off at the unmistakable sound of a hammer being cocked. A dark shape loomed over Luke.
Oh, no.

•●•

A gun barrel pressed into the base of his spine. Forcing himself to remain calm, he looked down at the woman in his arms. Gina’s eyes were dark and wide with fright. Her pale face gleamed in the moonlight.

“Don’t worry,” he mouthed to her. The scent behind him was definitely human. Nervous as well. Not a professional thief.

Regardless, the cool metal against his back reminded him of the danger.

Whatever happened, he couldn’t allow Gina to be hurt.

“Give me the keys to your Lexus and neither of you will be hurt,” a rough voice said. The gun prodded him in the back.

He didn’t want to reveal his wolf side, but he would if he had to. In human shape, he had no doubt he could take the other man but he couldn’t risk Gina’s safety. He would do what the man said. Slowly dropping his hands from Gina, he held them out at his sides. “The keys are in my pocket.”

“No,” Gina gasped. Obviously, the threat of his car being stolen upset her more than it did him.

He gave her an encouraging smile. “It’ll be okay.”

A change came over Gina. Her wide eyes narrowed into tiny slits. Only a glimmer of blue iris remained, but the color brightened until her eyes almost appeared to glow in the dark.

Fuck
. She was going to shift.

Attempting to dissuade her, he quickly reached into his pocket and tossed the keys down the alley. The thief cursed as he dove after them. Gina growled, her body visibly trembling with the need to shift. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”

He knew what she was about to say. Panic set in.

“Gina, no!”

She ignored him. Shoving him aside, the change began. Her pink shirt and jeans ripped away, revealing golden limbs and shapely curves an instant before her bones lengthened and hair appeared. Dropping onto all fours, she completed the transformation into a red wolf.

His mate was a thing of beauty, whether in wolf or human form. Now wasn’t the time to marvel. He had to protect her.

The thief stared at her like he’d just seen a ghost. The gun trembled in his grasp, but it was still a danger. “What the fuck?”

Placing his body between the gun and Gina, Luke stared the man down. “Get the keys and go. Forget anything you’ve seen here tonight. Or I promise I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”

Some of his wolf must’ve shown on his face because the man’s horror increased. He scrambled for the keys and took off running. As soon as he was gone, Luke turned back to Gina. Crouching down to her level, he stared into the intense blue of her lupine eyes.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he whispered. “It’s not safe here.”

Fur bristling, she changed back. Nude, she crouched before him. Crossing her arms over her breasts, she lifted her chin. “You knew what I was.”

He nodded. “Dominic told me.” A tiny white lie wouldn’t hurt.

“And you’re not scared?” Doubt reflected in her gaze.

“No. More like intrigued.” He ran a hand over her silky-smooth shoulder.

She shivered in response to the gentle caress. “I’ve never been with . . . a human.”

Good thing he wasn’t human. Removing his blazer, he draped it over her body. She pushed her arms through the too-long sleeves and stood to button it. The hem reached her thighs, enough to cover the pertinent parts but not enough to hide the fact she wore nothing beneath.

She frowned. “He didn’t take the car.”

Luke lifted an eyebrow. “What?”

Gina pointed over his shoulder at his Lexus. “Why would he steal your keys and forget to take the car?”

A harrowing suspicion took form. “He was nervous. Perhaps it was his first armed robbery, and he bungled it.”

Gina shook her head. “He knew what type of car you drove, so he obviously staked you out. That’s not the mark of a newbie.”

She was right. He’d had more than just keys to his car on the ring. Was someone trying to get their hands on L-12? He would have to alert security. But first, he had to get Gina home.

“Come. Let’s get you home before someone sees how delectable you look.” He gathered up her torn clothes and under things and handed them to her.

Her cheeks reddened as she took the pile from him. “Thank you. But how are we getting home exactly?”

“Spare key.” Luke led her to the car. He crouched down and retrieved the key he kept hidden behind a back tire. He unlocked and opened the passenger door for Gina. She climbed in, careful to keep her legs together to prevent a peep show. He chuckled at the acrobatics she performed to maintain her modesty. “Would you feel better if I promise not to look?”

She giggled. “You promised just dinner as well, right? So forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

“True enough.” His cock ached with the knowledge that beneath his blazer, she was completely naked. His mate sat inches away. It was pure hell. The wolf inside him howled with the need to take her. He forced air in and out of his nostrils. The scent of her drove him wild.