Page 4 of My Blind Date is a Werewolf

“Give me strength,” I whispered under my breath. Dustin bloody Rathinger. A one-time mistake that was still haunting me.

Sandy blond hair gelled to within an inch of its life and slicked back, a chiseled face that would make a marble sculpture weep, and deep, rich chocolate brown eyes that could suck any woman in. And they had—for one stupid night. When my judgment may or may not have been impaired by one too many cosmopolitans.

In my defense, though, I’d heard via the grapevine that my ex Sean and his new wife were expecting their first child just two and half years after getting hitched when we’d been struggling for six years to conceive. Having my worst fears confirmed—because I’d been too scared to seek help from a fertility specialist—had been a blow to my fledgling confidence. So much so that I’d let Dustin talk his way into my pants.

His smile could have lit up the room when he saw me walking toward him, but as charming as it was, something about it rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe because he reminded me a lot of Sean, and that was just plain wrong. From the tailored suits to their shared profession to the drink he’d ordered when we were on our date. How messed up was it that the first man I slept with post-divorce was cut from the same cloth as my ex-husband?

“Dustin, what a…surprise!” I couldn’t bring myself to call it a pleasant one because…buddy, there was a reason why I never went back for seconds. You’d think that conveniently losing his number would have been enough of a clue, but no. Every time his job blew him through Mystic Cove, he made sure to stop by.

Another reason why I had no problem tossing my skirts for him was because he was a pharmaceutical sales rep, which meant he was only ever in town for brief periods to carry out his business and then was gone again. It was an unspoken rule here, and probably of all small towns, that if you’re going to have a one-night stand, it better be with a tourist so that you won’t have to see their face at every intersection.

“A good one?” he asked hopefully, and all I could do was nod and offer him a bland smile. If he noticed my standoffishness, he didn’t let on, his smile widening and showing off his gleaming chompers. I gotta say, whatever dental plan he was on was worth the fortune he must have forked out to get them all sparkling and aligned like that.

Subconsciously, I ran my tongue across my top teeth and licked my lips before addressing him. “Can I get you something? Coffee and a large BLT?” I offered, hoping to move this along as fast as possible before Disaster Peter struck again in the kitchen.

Dustin leaned on the counter, showing off his ritzy wristwatch and giving me a whiff of his headache-inducing cologne. I had a feeling the move had been made to come across as slick and sexy, but Dustin was stiff and awkward.

“I’ve been calling you while I was away. I wanted to tell you that I’d be passing through Mystic Cove and wanted to see if you’d be interested in going out for dinner again.” He cleared his throat and adjusted the knot of his steel-gray tie. “I’m going to be here for a couple of weeks and thought this would be the perfect chance to explore our relationship and see where it takes us. After all, we got on like a house on fire the first time around.” Another toothy smile, his brown eyes boring into mine.

Nervous laughter bubbled out of my throat. I was aware of all the ears listening in. No doubt the gossip mongers amongst my customers were already raring to rush out the doors and spread the word.

“Yes, I…um…” I cleared my throat, keeping my gaze square on the lanky man in front of me and not all the other gazes I felt burning a hole through me. “Here’s the thing, Dustin, you’re a sweet guy and all, but I’m really not looking to date anyone right now. I have a lot going on in my life at the moment and romance is the last thing on my mind, so I’m sorry, but I can’t start anything with you.”

His smile fell, something dark slithering beneath the surface. Standing up straight, he smoothed his hands down his suit jacket and tugged on the lapels. “I know all about having a jam-packed life, believe me,” he told me with a self-effacing smile. “I’m not asking to put a label on things, just dinner between two friends who shared an intimate night—”

“Dustin!” I slammed a hand on the counter, my face burning. Why’d he have to be so explicit for everyone in earshot? Wendy coughed and a second later the music volume went up a few decibels.

Lifting up the door on the counter that separated us from the guest area, I dragged Dustin further away from the customers, coming to a stop in front of the hallway that led to the bathrooms.

“I was trying to let you down gently, but you need to understand, I was…somewhat drunk when I slept with you.” Yes, I’d been buzzed, maybe even tipsy when I let him take me back to his room at the Scarlet Season. But not so out of it that I didn’t know what I was doing. “But that was a mistake, and one I don’t wish to repeat again. So, please, let’s just agree to part ways on amicable terms right here and now.”

It was like watching a switch flip. One second, Dustin was this unassuming, sweet-faced man who, quite frankly, I thought had the personality of a wet blanket, and the next thing I knew I was shoved against the wall.

He realized what he’d done almost immediately and backed off, hands raised. “Sorry! I’m sorry, Olivia, I didn’t mean to be so rough with you. Ca-can we please start over?” He reached his hand out for me and took it back when I flinched.

“There is nothing to start over from, Dustin. You’re making a scene. You need to leave,” I said, more bravery in my voice than I felt.

“No, not yet. Not until you hear me out. Tell me what to do. How can I make you see that I am being serious and completely earnest in my feelings for you? Just give us one last chance. One—” He took a deep breath, holding one finger up. “—last chance to prove that what we have is real, that we could make this work. I promise you won’t regret it.”

I opened my mouth to say something and found that I didn’t know what to say, so I clamped my mouth shut again.

“The lady already said no. So cut your losses and leave, buddy, instead of trying to guilt her into a pity date with you,” came a deep voice from behind Dustin. Adrian Cooper, my brother-in-law’s best friend and current white knight. If there was someone who could get Dustin off my case with a single glare, it would be him.

Dustin whirled around to tell him off, but he did not expect the bear of a man—or rather, the wolf of a man—who loomed over him. To his credit, though, Dustin faltered for a moment before drawing himself to his full height, which still only came up to Adrian’s chin.

“And who do you think you are to interrupt a private conversation?” I could hear the sneer in his voice even with his back turned to me.

“Who I am doesn’t matter. The only reason why I haven’t planted your face through the wall yet is because I don’t want to cause an even bigger scene. The lady has already given you your answer, so take it like a gentleman and book it before I make you,” he growled.

“Listen here, buddy—” Dustin started in a condescending voice, his statement choking off when Adrian’s eyes flashed and he placed his huge, meaty hands on Dustin’s slim shoulders.

“I won’t ask again, douchebag. Leave or I toss you out on your rear end.”

CHAPTER 3

“Is this oaf the reason why you’re turning me down? You’ve been screwing him behind my back and leading me on like a dog on a leash?” Dustin whirled to face me, hatred burning in his eyes and etched in the curl of his frowning mouth.

Indignation swelled in my chest and before I knew it, a loud thwack was heard across the room and my hand was burning from the impact of slapping Dustin as hard as I could.

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