Page 3 of Twisted Lies
Two
Three weeks ago
“Jason Black, how are you, dear?” Gerri asked as she stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button for her floor.
“Good, Ms. Wilder. How are you?”
Jason, nonchalantly scooched to the other side of the elevator, giving the older woman plenty of space. Not that the elevator was cramped with just the two of them in it or anything, but he knew he was a big guy and could feel threatening to some—so he wanted her to feel as if she had her own comfort zone.
“I’m wonderful, dear. How is life treating you?” Gerri smiled up at him.
He paused for a moment, debating on how much would be too much to say to her. They had always been friendly, but never personal, so he opted for the easiest answer that was truthful. “It’s good thanks.”
In that brief second, he watched as something in Gerri’s eyes flashed. Her head tilted to the side and she arched an eyebrow at him.
“Really? You expect me to believe that?” she challenged.
Jason’s mouth flopped open and he quickly snapped it shut. “I—I uh…” he didn’t know what to say or how to finish the conversation. Did she really expect his life story to pour from his mouth during a thirty-second elevator ride?
“I know exactly what you are looking for. Follow me.” The elevator dinged its arrival to the appropriate floor, and the doors slid open. Gerri cast him an expectant look and headed for her apartment.
“I uh—don’t think this is such a good idea!” Jason stammered as he tried to keep up with her. A blush stained his cheeks.
“Silly boy, you’re young enough to be my son and last time I checked, I was a wolf—not a cougar. Let’s go,” Gerri chuckled.
“I’m not sure how you think you can help me.” Jason was as confused as he’d ever been. He barely knew Gerri. A lot of rumors floated around about some smutty business she owned, but he didn’t take that BS seriously. Look at her. She looked all prim and proper and shit. Surely his wolf would have told him if he was about to walk into a BDSM chamber or some shit, right?
“I’m sure you heard the rumors about me and my business?” Gerri slid her key into the lock and twisted it until she heard the click from the tumbler.
Jason’s blush deepened. “You mean the rumors of a BDSM chamber and inviting people over for orgies?” His hand flew to his mouth. For the millionth time, he wondered why the fuck he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. It was like any truth—anything at all had to fly from his mouth. Like…he was physically unable to hold back or contain it.
“Idiot!”his wolf, who had chosen to remain silent this whole time, had finally spoken up.
Gerri laughed. And laughed some more. Once she finally composed herself, she ushered him in the door. “I most certainly do not have a BDSM chamber…though it could be fun.” She set her bag down and grabbed a card from her wallet.
“I own the Paranormal Dating Agency.” She handed him the card.
“Paranormal Dating Agency?” Jason looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Yes. I specialize and finding mates for all sorts of people in our community.”
“Uh that’s great and all, but I’m not exactly looking for a mate.” The lie burned his tongue, bile rose in his throat.
“A mate is what I want more than anything.” Once again the truth flew from his mouth.
“You can’t lie can you?” Gerri looked him up and down, an amused smirk tugged at her lips.
“Yes!” Jason shouted, followed with an immediate and timid. “No.”
The sound of his wolf’s laughter filled his mind.
Fuck! He hated it. It had always been his weakness. One that others loved to exploit—any chance they found to use it against him.
“Well, I think it’s adorable.”
***
Present Day
