Page 28 of The SnowFang Storm

She wilted, and her two friends led her away, consoling her with back pats and promises of another drink making it all better.

“Sorry about that,” Sterling muttered into his drink.

I watched her retreat. “I can’t believe things like that actually happen!”

“It happens.” He caught the eye of the waiter and held up three fingers. The waiter grinned and headed off.

“I’m so sorry, I really am, I—oh my. I mean.” I resisted inquiring if he was okay, because one did not ask an Alpha if he was okay unless it was in private or clearly warranted. Instead I asked, “An ex?”

“I don’t have any exes.”

“Liar. Liar. Liar.” Did he really expect me to believe that? “You told me you were a bed-hopper our first night together.”

“An ex is not the same thing as a—” he searched for a word.

“Fuck buddy?” I asked. “I’d say friends with benefits, but I know you don’t have friends.”

“I’d like something a little more respectful than that,” he said. “She and I went out a few times a year ago. I gave up on dating after her. Too much of a hassle, too busy, and they’re too predatory. But a few days here or there or when I travelled isn’t dating, it’s companionship.”

Companionship. If that’s what he wanted to call it. He didn’t need to explain or justify it to me. A man that good looking, that wealthy, that well-connected (in human terms) and appreciative of female “companionship” didn’t keep himself company night after night when all he had to do was snap his fingers and decide what color hair he wanted in his lap.

Sterling quirked a brow at me. “You could have stepped in sooner.”

“Was I supposed to?” I stifled my laughter a moment. “I was gobsmacked she was so aggressive. She seemed pretty serious about you.”

“She’s serious about my money.” His tone withered all grass within a ten mile radius.

“Ah. Well, next time I will race to your rescue. I wasn’t clear on the etiquette and didn’t want to cause an avoidable scene.”

He cricked one shoulder and resettled himself against the couch. He scanned the floor, the purple lights reflecting in the pale hazel of his irises. “They all smelled like an alternate agenda, unless they didn’t, and I wasn’t about to break a nice girl’s heart. If anyone ever tells you they dated me, they’re lying. Three date maximum, ten days total. Those were the rules, and I never broke them for anyone. Until you.”

“So am I a nice girl?” I asked impishly.

“Not even a little.”

I laughed and almost fell off the couch. The waiter brought Sterling three drinks, and me a fresh one, and Sterling tossed back all three in quick succession. Then he explained, “I dislike putting my hands on women even if they’re groping me and won’t take a direct no. I can’t bring myself to do it. I’d rather just get mauled.”

Mauled? Sounded more like sexual assault and should file a police report to me. “Then I’ll protect you,” I promised, refusing to draw more attention to the cloud across his hazel eyes. Note for the future: actively defend Sterling from grabby females. Not a problem. There was a reason I lifted weights and got punched in the face by human males twice my size. I hadn’t thought defending my mate from women would be the reason, but it was as good a reason as any, and a she-wolf had to be able to handle her business, whatever that business ended up being.

No reason to spoil the evening, though. Marissa didn’t get that privilege.

I fanned myself and grinned at him. “Mmm, Marissa, though. Smoking good taste, Sterling. Whew. I could have played tiddlywinks on her ass.”

Sterling permitted himself a wry grin. “I will agree, she is a… handful.”

I collapsed from giggles. “Oh, at least two.”

He broke into laughter as well. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Am I?”

“You clearly have not read the script. You aren’t supposed to admire her ass. You’re supposed to act insecure, mistake my hesitation for secretly liking her hands anywhere near my balls, and then I assure you you are the only one for me.”

I laughed and saluted him with my fresh drink. “Well, since you insist I find something to chide you about, my dear Alpha—”

“Yes.” He grinned. “Tear into me, my dear mate.”

“Did you really have to mention the matchmaker? Would you like to take out a full page four-color ad so everyone is clear, or do you just want to wear a STERLING IS TAKEN hat?”

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