Page 5 of The Wolf and His Forbidden Witch
Don’t you feel how right it is?His wolf asked.
Grayson did, but this wasn’t the time to contemplate that question.
He addressed Aurora. “Let me introduce you to Rafe Renaud, our alpha and CEO of the resort.”
Grayson led her down to the opposite end of the lodge where Rafe’s office mirrored Grayson’s, but was slightly larger, befitting an alpha. Rafe’s door was open. He stared at a computer monitor with a serious expression.
“Rafe, do you have a moment?” Grayson interrupted.
Rafe pulled his eyes from the screen. “Yes.”
“This is Aurora Crawford, the mediator from Salem.” Grayson’s voice sounded strange to his ears.
Rafe gave Grayson a questioning glance before he stood and welcomed Aurora. “Thank you for coming.”
While they exchanged brief greetings, Grayson stole the moment to regroup.
Rafe sent Grayson a telepathic message while he kept small talk going with Aurora.
Is something wrong?Rafe asked.I can sense your tension.
It’s complicated,Grayson replied.I’ll tell you after I get her settled in.
We’ll meet at Kelly’s Pub after work.
That was a reasonable assumption since they often ate there at the end of the day.Not tonight. I made plans to discuss business with Aurora over dinner.
Rafe exchanged a brief glance with Grayson.I see. We’ll talk later.
Grayson swallowed and then finished up the conversation. After they left Rafe’s office, they descended the stairs in the lodge and then crossed the paved pathway leading to the main village area. The compulsion to walk closer to her tugged at him. He resisted the urge to inhale her scent and take her hand in his.
As they approached the grand hotel, he asked, “Do you have a favorite type of food? We have a decent variety of restaurants.”
“I’m not picky,” she replied. “Since you’re familiar with the dining here, I trust you to pick the place. Why don’t you show me one of your favorites?”
A tingling warmth spread through Grayson’s chest. She said she trusted him. Sure, it was only something as small as a restaurant selection, but nonetheless, it pleased him. Introducing her to all the things he liked and discovering hers would be part of a courtship—which he had no business thinking about.
He struggled against that thought and focused on the topic at hand. “I often go to Kelly’s Pub with Rafe and others after work, but I do like La Luna. They have a wonderful selection of tapas.”
“That sounds perfect.”
Once they entered the hotel, Grayson walked to the reservations desk. “Ms. Crawford is booked in room 413. Please change it to the Jackson Suite.”
After he’d taken care of the upgrade, he walked Aurora over to a table near the concierge.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Her eyes widened with appreciation. “I’d be fine in a standard room.”
But he wanted to care for her, indulge her, woo his mate. “It’s my pleasure. After all, you’re doing so much for us.” He gave her a semi-bow to show his appreciation. “For me.”
“Thank you, Grayson.”
She smiled at him with such warmth, it made it all worthwhile.
Before he suggested something stupid like helping her get settled into her suite, he stepped over to one of the visitor’s maps of the region. “We’re here.” He pointed to the hotel’s location. “The restaurant is there.”
She stepped beside him and her scent filled the air with its sweet fragrance.
“Oh, that looks close. Easy to get to,” she replied.
