Page 276 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Mmmm.”

He left it at that and went up to his office in 2A.

My introduction to Brax was a scent that I didn’t normally associate with the bears in my family. It was different—that was the polite word—and hey the guy couldn’t control his natural aroma. But it was my bear’s reaction to Brax that caught me off guard.

No!

What? He hasn’t spoken a word.

No!

Things would be strained if my beast was actively wanting me to get away from the guy. He seemed pleasant enough and appeared to be in his mid-thirties. I gave him the keys and said we’d go out for dinner but I had to get back to work.

“When’s your first interview?”

“Later today.”

After wishing him luck and apologizing I couldn’t stay longer, I left and arranged to meet at my apartment this evening.

“What’s he like?” Nate asked as I got back to the motel.

I shrugged. “I said two words to the guy. Seemed nice enough.” I didn’t mention my bear’s reaction.

I didn’t think about my cousin for the rest of the day until I walked into our apartment and he was sitting in the living room talking to Nate who’d come home before me.

“Oh, you’re early.”

“Mmmm.” Nate got up and had his back to me as he spoke. “Your cousin was waiting at the door when I arrived.”

He must have been really early because Nate would have been home an hour before Brax was due. Guess he didn‘t want tobe late. After offering my cousin a beer, I headed for a shower but Nate stopped me before I left the living room.

“You’re fine. No need for a shower. We don’t want to keep Brax waiting any longer.” His clenched jaw gave me a heads up that he was annoyed about something. Maybe because my cousin was an early bird and Nate had hoped to have an hour to himself.

My mate steered me toward the door as Brax said, “Nice place you have. Must have cost a lot.”

Nate locked the door and replied, “Daire’s worked non-stop the last few years and is enjoying his success.” There was a hardness to his voice that was unusual for my mate. I gave him a look but he ignored me as we left the building.

“Were we supposed to have Charlie tonight so Neil and Martin could have a date night?” I asked Nate.

“They canceled.”

“Charlie? You’re his guardian, right?”

My parents weren’t normally chatty with people they hadn’t met, even if they were family, but they must have had a long conversation with Brax. “Yes.” Again that was Nate. My mate was giving off a weird vibe and that combined with my bear’s reaction had me wondering what was going on.

“How was the interview?” I asked Brax as the restaurant host seated us at a table.

“Oh, it went well but I’m keeping my options open.” His polished answer shouldn’t have raised an alarm but Nate nudged me under the table and I couldn’t work out what his problem was.

“What’s your line of work?”

Brax shrugged. “I’m in PR. But tell me more about your company.”

The waiter interrupted us by bringing our drinks and the three of us studied the menu. During the meal, Brax questioned me about work and each time Nate steered the conversation back to him.

“How exactly are you related to Daire? His parents have a detailed family tree and they can’t place you on it, Brax.”

My parents had no such thing. Now it was my turn to kick Nate under the table.

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