Page 17 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

“And how do you know because to me, his body language spoke differently?”

Staring into his eyes, I lean in, then whisper, “Because the man has been happily married to his husband for the last six years.”

This is one of those times I wish someone were around to take pictures because the jaw dropping impression on Braxton’s face is priceless.

Being sassy, I snapped my fingers at him before going to join his father. Braxton may be my unclaimed mate but before I agree to our bonding, he’s going to need to learn to treat and respect me as his Alpha Female.

Once the tour was over, I had already set up a private dinner for all of us with daddy. Daddy was enthused to see his old friend. When we returned to the lobby Bryant said he and his Beta were going out to see the city.

I knew once his daddy was gone, Braxton was going to have something to say and as Bryant and the others exited the hotel,he focused in on me before demanding, “My office in thirty minutes.”

I had other more pressing issues to deal with, but at the end of the day, asshole or not, he is my boss.

I returned some calls and emails when I got back to my office before it was time for our meeting. With five minutes to spare, I took off my headpiece and begrudgingly made my way to Braxton’s office.

As I stepped off the elevator onto his office floor, I took my time walking down the hallway. I already knew this meeting had nothing to do with the hotel, but about his ego getting bruised by me talking with Lionel. As much as I didn’t want to because I had been here so long, it might be time for me to move onto another hotel. Shifter or human, working in the same space as your mate at some point can become overwhelming. This is just the second day with Braxton and I’m ready to cut his ass.

Reaching his office, I notice Fonda isn’t at her desk and Braxton’s door is open. Low whispers can be heard coming from inside the office. Using my wolf hearing, I hone in.

“How’s that, Mr. Hillard?” Fonda asks in a sultry tone.

“Perfect,’ Braxton slowly replies.

What the absolute fuck?

“Mr. Harris used to love it when I would do this for him,” Fonda says. “He said I was the best at doing it.”

At the brink of shifting, I storm into Braxton’s office to see Fonda leaning in front of Braxton, giving him a full view of her cleavage, with the remote to the blinds in her hand. The deadly look on my face has her face turning beet red as she takes a step back.

Braxton swivels around in his chair to face me. “Why did you stop?” He smirks when he sees me standing in the doorway ready to pounce on Fonda.

“Come in Ms. Lightfeather and have a seat,” he says. “Fonda, thank you for adjusting the blinds for me. Hopefully, I’ll get the hang of it soon.”

Handing him the remote, Fonda tells him, “I’m sure you will, Mr. Hillard, but until then, I’m more than happy to show you again.”

“I just bet you would,” I say under my breath, digging my nails into my palms from the close proximity Fonda is to my mate...shit, did I just...never mind.

Braxton stares me down, asking, “What was that, Ms. Lightfeather?”

“Nothing,” I lied, peering back at him. Damn his wolf hearing.

Fonda’s eyes move back and forth from us as if she’s trying to figure out the silent conversation.

She finally says, “Okay, well I’ll be going back to my desk now. Mr. Hillard, if you need anything, let me know.”

Braxton breaks his silence as he gives her a polite smile. “Thank you, Fonda, and please close the door behind you.”

As Fonda walked past me, the urge to rip her bad blonde extensions out of her hair almost overcame me. I had to remind myself that she is a human who does not know about our ways. Fonda didn’t realize that directly or indirectly flirting with one’s mate could leave you lying on the floor bruised and bloody!

But then I have to wonder how many secretaries at Braxton’s other hotels he had slept with. No doubt Fonda would be far from the first. One thing I wouldn’t tolerate with a mate is infidelity. I don’t give a shit what you did in the past or present. Once it’s been established that we are mates, the only person you should be thinking about fucking is me.

Hearing the door close behind me, has me going to the chair to sit, but Braxton stops me. He stands, then says, “Come here, Nyah.”

“No,” I return, standing in place. “You can say whatever you need to say to me right here.”

Braxton chuckles. “Why must you be so difficult?”

Before I can catch my words, they fly out of my mouth. “And why do you have the hotel pass around, giving you a peepshow in your office?” Damn.

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