Page 41 of Don't Cheat Me (Nora Jacobs 2)

Henry sighs. “We got off to such a bad start, Nora, and I would really like the chance to apologize. Not only for my own behavior, but also for the recent behavior of one of my vampires. Do you mind if I join you?”

I scoff and throw my hand out when Parker starts to scoot over to give Henry room to sit. “It was way worse than abad start, and no, you can’t join us. What are you even doing here? You need to quit stalking me.”

Henry makes a face as if he’s sucking on sour lemons. The ancient vampire has never found my temper endearing. (It’s very unladylike.) Considering how bad it is, you’d think he’d be a little less obsessed with me. But he got a good look at all of my memories once, and it turned him into a possessive asshole. He wants to be my savior or something and protect me from all the bad men out there. That’s ironic, coming from him.

“I am notstalkingyou.” He makes another face. “I simply wanted the chance to apologize to you for Josephine’s actions.” His eyes narrow on Parker. “When I asked you to talk to her, I didn’t mean for you to ask her on adate.”

Ah, there’s the possessive douche bag I know so well. “It’s not a date,” I say. “But even still, you’re not welcome to crash it.”

Henry sucks in a sharp breath through his nose. He opens his mouth to reply but stops. His head rears back, and he looks at me with wide eyes. “Why do you smell of werewolf?”

It takes me a moment to realize that I’d been wearing Rook’s jacket earlier and there must still be some lingering scent on me. Damn. Vampires have better senses of smell than I thought. Before I can explain, a man sitting across from us at the restaurant counter spins around and grins at me. “Haven’t you heard? She’s dating Rook Winters.”

Henry whirls on the man, while my jaw drops to the table. “I beg your pardon?” Henry asks.

“I’m notdatinghim. Sheesh.” I eye the man. He isn’t someone I recognize, but he looks wolfish enough for me to make the assumption that even if he isn’t from Rook’s pack, he’s still a werewolf. “All you wolves gossip worse than a bunch of old ladies at a quilting club.”

The stranger winks at me, then grins at Henry as if he’s thrilled to burst the vampire’s bubble. “I heard he took her home and cooked her a meal, then escorted her to his pack social. Males only cook for females that they’re courting.”

The blood drains from my face. “Is that true?” I ask Parker.

“As far as I know.” He doesn’t look any happier about this new information than Henry.

Well, no wonder all the wolves in Rook’s pack have been acting so strangely. I’m going to kill Rook next time I see him.

“So youdidallow Rook Winters to cook for you?” Henry demands.

His eyes are glowing a soft red that all vampires get when they start to lose control of their temper. That Henry cares so much pisses me off. “It’s none of your damn business.” I glare at the wolf sitting at the counter and add, “Yours either.”

The man laughs. “Sorry, honey. Every wolf in Michigan knows about Rook Winters and how he lost his mate and won’t look for another. The two of you are the biggest werewolf gossip this century. Personally, I’m rooting for you. He could use a good woman again.”

I groan, and the wolf chuckles. Henry and Parker are not amused. It’s Parker I defend myself to. “I was low on my red count because Josephine nearly drained me, so he cooked me a steak to build up my iron. He’s my trainer. We’re friends. That’s all. We’re notdating.”

I don’t know why I’m so determined to set the record straight right now. It’s not like I’m dating Parker, either. But he’s been really sweet tonight, and I feel bad throwing my relationship with Rook in his face.

“Rook Winters is your trainer?” Henry asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

While I’m busy glaring at Henry, Parker—the traitor—answers him. “He’s teaching her self-defense.”

Henry perks up at this. “You wish to learn self-defense?”

“Seeing as how people keep trying to kill me, it seems appropriate.”

“Nora, love, if you wish to learn to protect yourself, will you allow me to teach you instead of the wolf?” He ignores my laugh. “Wolves fight using their brute strength. Vampires use more finesse. I am a master in six different forms of martial arts and many weapons that would be well suited for your size and stature. I would be a better fit to teach you than Rook Winters, and I would be honored. Please consider—”

“The answer’s no, Henry. I don’t care if you’re five hundred times the teacher Rook is. I trust him. I don’t trust you. And I don’t like you.”

“I could change your mind about that. Give me one date.”

I laugh again, throwing all the sarcasm and condescension I’m capable of into it. “Never going to happen, so stop asking. Even if Iwereto start dating a vampire one day, it sure as hell wouldn’t be you.”

My eyes flick to Parker, and he gazes back at me with so much hope that I can’t look away.

Giving up, Henry hisses and then goes storming out of the diner. Once he’s gone, the werewolf at the counter stands up and leaves some cash by his plate. He meets my eyes, chuckling, then tsks. “It’s not wise to piss off a master vampire.”

“And yet it can’t be helped,” I say, pushing my plate away. I’ve lost my appetite.

Understanding my current mood, Parker signals to Skinny for the check and asks him to box up our food. As we’re waiting, tingles shoot up my spine. “Shit!” I hiss.

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