Page 5 of One True Mate

“Morning,” she said as she stood on her tippy toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

It shouldn't have mattered to me one bit, but for some reason, my wolf surged and I was flooded with anxiety. I had had strong reactions and similar battles the previous day during my interview with Mr. Westin. I hoped it would stop soon. I had to get my wolf under control, and I was thankful they were distracted long enough for me to gain some semblance of control.

“Lily, this is Kelsey Adams, my new assistant. Kelsey, this is Lily Westin, my youngest sister. She's agreed to take today to show you the ropes and expectations of the job.”

Sister? I should have seen it in the eyes. Still it shouldn't have mattered. So why was I overwhelmed with relief?

“Hi, Lily, it's nice to meet you.”

I rose and shook her hand, but not before noticing the frown and small head shake Kyle gave. Still frowning, he said goodbye and walked into his office, closing the door behind him.

“He's not much of a morning person. You'll get used to steering clear of him until at least his third cup of coffee. We all do.”

I snorted a little trying not to laugh. I liked Lily Westin immediately. I thought briefly that she might even be a friend. I had never really allowed myself to have a friend. I didn't let people close enough to form actual relationships with anyone, but Lily Westin I might consider taking a chance on. The thought was more than a little shocking.

As the day wore on and she explained the much too complicated coffee maker and showed me the copy room and some brief tutorials on some of the software and where to find Kyle's calendar, I realized I felt completely comfortable with this woman. My initial reaction, okay, after I found out she was his sister – I was choosing to forget that little jealous moment before then – of thinking of her as a possible friend, only grew stronger the more we talked. She was spirited and funny with a hint of sarcasm that I could absolutely appreciate.

As lunch approached, she informed me that Mr. Westin often took lunch alone in his office, continuing to work while he ate. I needed to check in with him to see if he needed something ordered, though she did say he sometimes brought his own lunch with him.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door before sticking my head in. He was on the phone and held one finger up to signal me to give him a minute, so I poked my head back out and closed his door behind me.

“On the phone,” I told his sister.

“He's always on the phone.” She rolled her eyes.

The door opened and I jumped, feeling caught off guard.

“Kelsey,” I felt like a melting puddle whenever he used my first name. Why couldn't he just stick to formalities? “Did you need something?”

“Oh, um, yeah, I just wanted to see if you needed me to order in lunch or if you would be going out today.”

He smiled warmly like he really appreciated the thought, even though I was really just doing what Lily told me I should do.

“Hmmm, well, I hadn't thought about it yet.” He checked his watch. “But yeah, I guess it's pushing that time already. I don't really have any plans today, so what are the two of you doing?”

Lily shrugged. “I'm supposed to meet Elise for lunch. You can join us, Kelsey, if you'd like.”

“Oh no, thank you, but I wouldn't want to intrude. Besides, I packed a lunch figuring I'd take the time to decompress and let it all sink in. We went over a lot this morning. Just need to process it all.”

“Well, if that's your polite way of ditching me,” He genuinely looked disappointed and I had a strong urge to retract and make it right, “then I guess I'll just order in. You have enough on your plate for today already, Kelsey, so I'll just take care of it myself. But thanks.”

Lily looked deep in thought as he closed the door and disappeared back into his office.

“Is he always so quiet and moody?” I couldn't help but ask.

“No. Something's up with him. I'll do my sisterly duties and harass him into telling me later. Now, are you sure you don't want to join us for lunch?”

“Not today, but thanks for the offer.”

KYLE

Chapter 4

I knew I was pouting like a two-year-old, hiding in my office eating my lunch. I hadn't known the sting of rejection that would hit me when she turned down my offer to lunch. I placed a call to the cafeteria, asking for a bowl of the soup of the day. I suddenly wasn't in the mood to eat.

Pacing back and forth in my office, I tried to get a grip on myself. Yesterday when I gave her the job I had been so excited to find her that I hadn't really thought through what it would mean to work side by side with her when she refused to even acknowledge me in any way outside perfectly professional. Instead of soothing my wolf by, having her near, it made him more agitated, me too.

Last night when I sat at the edge the woods near her house and howled to her, I had expected her wolf to return in kind, but she had just stood there staring at me as if mesmerized before shuffling into her house. I had seen her through the window as she shed her clothes. I felt terrible watching as she walked from room to room, but I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was so beautiful and so natural. But seeing her unclothed made it even worse seeing her every time I left my office today.

---