Page 32 of One True Mate

“Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey, let me give you the 4-1-1. Kyle Westin is mine and there really isn't anything you can do or say to stop that, so you might as well just give up now. It's kind of cute really, in a pathetic kind of way, the secretary falling for the boss and all, but you're up against the big dogs now and you don't stand a chance.”

She bared her teeth and growled at me.She actually growled at me!

I was out of my chair and on my feet in front of her before I knew what I was doing. My entire body was pulsing with energy I couldn't contain, and looking at her, all I saw was red until it was like something finally snapped within me and I smiled.

“No, Vanessa, I think you're the one that's scared right now and your intimidation tactics won't work on me because you have no clue who you are dealing with.”

What the heck was I saying? I didn't even know who I was. But I couldn't stop the words from tumbling out. Kyle was mine. I tried to control the shock in that thought. Yet everything about it felt true and right.

I took another step closer to her and she went to bare her teeth at me again but was having a difficult time holding my stare. I lifted my chin a little higher, locking eyes with her and let out a small growl as something familiar surged through me and released.

“Now, get out of here.”

I noted the wide eyes of shock followed by fear as she turned and ran from the office, nearly plowing over Elise. I shrugged my shoulders innocently, watching my friend run after her.

What had I done?

It was another two hours before Elise returned, ready for lunch. I needed to talk to her, needed to understand why I was feeling that way. Instead of heading for the cafeteria, I followed her down the hall and into her office. She had just recently been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources. It felt official, and for a moment, I feared maybe I was in trouble, but when we entered, I saw lunch was already awaiting us.

“The offices are sound proof, even from wolf ears, so we can talk freely from here.”

I giggled nervously. “I'd always suspected as much.”

She smiled back and I relaxed. “Lil's coming by later. She's just running late. We have a few things we just wanted to add in to yesterday's conversation, but probably best not said around the brother.” She snorted like what she had said was funny. “First, I need to ask you something before Lily gets here.”

I nodded, “Sure, anything.”

“What happened with you and Vanessa earlier today?”

I sighed and sat down in a chair, feeling deflated.

“What did she tell you happened?”

“I need to hear your side first.”

“I don't even know, E. She just kept pushing at me, telling me I wasn't good enough, I was wasting my time, she could see right through me, on and on until I just sorta snapped. I didn't touch her, if that's what you're thinking. And she growled at me first!”

“What exactly were you arguing about? That part was never clear talking to her.”

I know my face was ten shades of red because she raised one eyebrow at me, becoming more curious.

“Kyle.” I finally spit out.

To say she was shocked was an understatement. Then she laughed.

“Thanks, yeah, sure, go ahead, laugh it up. She thinks she has some kind of monopoly of him and was trying to threaten me away. Me! What have I ever done to her?”

Elise was still laughing and trying to get control of herself when she wheezed out, “Kyle? My brother? You were threatening her over my brother? I didn't even think you really liked him. I mean, yesterday I guess I might have wondered, but it seemed more one sided on his part than yours.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Never mind. Look, you haven't, uh, how do I put this? You've never been intimate with Kyle, have you?”

I think I may have found several newly defined shades of red across my face.

“Define intimate. Like a kiss? I mean he held me yesterday. I fell asleep in his arms, that's kind of intimate, I guess.”

“No, no, Kelsey, I'll just come out and ask. Have you had sex with Kyle?”

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