Page 26 of Howling Mad
“As if what?”My voice comes out embarrassingly breathy.
“As if you don’t actually want these dates to work out.”
The air between us crackles with possibility.I swallow hard.“That would be highly unprofessional of me.”
“Extremely.”He leans forward, close enough that I can smell his cologne mingled with his natural wolf scent.“Almost as unprofessional as how much I look forward to these consultations more than the actual dates.”
My pulse sprints.“That’s not good feedback for our service.”
“It’s excellent feedback for my personal happiness, though.”His smile is softer now, genuine in a way that makes my chest ache.
I gather every ounce of courage in my trembling body.“Maybe what you need is...a practice date.”
He tilts his head.“A practice date?”
“Yes.”I nod with far more confidence than I feel.“To analyze what might be going wrong in your approach.I could observe and provide professional feedback.Very clinical.Completely objective.”
“Completely,” he agrees, though his eyes tell a different story.
“It would be purely for research purposes.”
“Of course.”His smile widens.“For science.”
“Exactly.”I clutch my pen so tightly I fear it might snap.“No personal feelings involved whatsoever.”
“None at all.”He reaches across the table, brushing his fingers lightly against mine.“When would this scientific experiment take place?”
My skin buzzes where he touched me.“This weekend?Saturday night?”
“Perfect.”His voice drops to a low rumble that does alarming things to my insides.“Should I pick you up at seven?For research purposes?”
“Seven is an excellent time.For science.”
We stare at each other, the pretense wearing thinner by the second.His gaze drops to my lips, and I wonder if he’s going to lean forward, if we’re finally going to… Abruptly, Michael stands, straightening his jacket with a regretful smile.“I should go.Saturday at seven?”
I nod, still dazed from our near-moment.“Saturday at seven.”
He pauses at the door, glancing back with an expression that makes my knees weak.“Looking forward to our...research.”
After he leaves, I collapse into my chair, my heart racing and mind whirling with possibilities.Saturday night stretches before me like a promise, terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure.A practice date.With Michael.There’s nothing romantic about it at all.
I’m the worst liar in the world, but for once, I don’t care.
Red returns hours later, suspiciously devoid of red panda gathering evidence.She takes one look at my face and grins triumphantly.“The wall space will be filled by the end of the month.I’m ordering a custom frame with little wolves carved into the corners.”
“It’s just a practice date,” I protest weakly.“For research.”
“Hmm.”She taps her chin.“And will this research involve that blue dress that makes your eyes pop or the black one that hugs your curves?”
I groan, burying my face in my hands.“The blue one.”
“Excellent choice.”She pats my shoulder.“For science, of course.”
“For science,” I echo, unable to contain my smile.
Saturday can’t come soon enough.
Chapter 10
