Page 130 of Haze

Lena shrugs. “Yeah. I guess.”

While it isn’t enthusiastic, it is, in fact, an agreement, and I roll with it.

Lena makes her way to her plant, testing the soil before heading back to her bedroom to change.

She calls over her shoulder, “What is it with you and dress shirts anyway?”

I follow her path to the back of the apartment and lean against the doorframe, watching her inspect her wardrobe.

She’s shimmying out of her leggings when I answer, “It was easier to fit in with the business class to close deals, they hide the ink well, and after a while, I got used to it.”

Lena’s T-shirt goes next, and my jaw drops as I admire her. She grabs a long-sleeve green dress from her closet and pulls it over her head. The form-fitting garment drapes to her mid-thigh, and while I’m sad to lose the view of her ink, the way it hugs her curves leaves me salivating, nonetheless. After pulling stockings from a drawer, she sits on her bed and pulls them up her thighs. If she’s trying to seduce me, it’s working.

Chapter 43

Lena

Finn drives us deeper into Minneapolis to a beautiful restaurant. It’s known for needing reservations, and given we’re at the dinner hour, I’m not expecting a table. But I should have known better. Finn walks up to the host stand while I wait at the door by the few other couples seemingly waiting for a table. The host leaves his station and returns a few minutes later with another man in a suit coat.

He shakes Finn’s hand fervently before turning to me by the door. With open arms, he invites me into their conversation. “For you and yours, of course. We’d be glad to be your hosts this evening.”

I’m skeptical as to what Finn could have possibly told the man. Finn gestures for me to walk ahead of him, and I follow the man to one of the booths toward the quietest part of the restaurant. Patrons occupy the other booths, but with how they’re situated, it feels like we’re secluded.

I let Finn do all the talking, tuning out while I take in the beauty of the ornate restaurant. Dark wood paneling with brass elements gives it a rich, warm feel. It’s inviting but formal. A few minutes later I realize why we have a table. The server approaches us and speaks with the same accent as Finn.

Dare I say... Dinah was right. It’s nice to have him look after me. Not that I’m admitting that to her... or him.

Our mate is a good provider. He’s starting to learn what we like. My wolf wags her tail in appreciation.

The booth is both long and wide, but despite the large table, my feet reach his underneath. It’s not enough to be sitting here. I rest my shoe against his. The slight touch is better, but not quite enough. I’ll survive. I have to detox for class on Monday. Doctor Thorpe won’t like it if I try to drag Finn out of the lab and to class with me.

The server comes to the table and sets a glass of water and a glass of beer on the table.

“Should I read into the fact that it seems you’re still connected to Ireland?” I ask, leaving the water and reaching for the beer.

“Pick up my beer, and I’ll be getting something of yours in return.” Finn flashes me a devious smile before answering my question. “I’m allowed to have friends outside of Ireland. The accepted terms are that I’m not welcome in Ireland. If they were to choose not to continue our friendship forged beyond that of a working arrangement, that’s up to them. But there are mutual benefits.”

I pick up the beer and take a sip. The amber liquid fills my mouth, and it’s pleasant and heady. When I set the glass on the table, Finn’s devious smile turns into a wicked grin.

His voice edges right on the cusp of an Alpha command. “Go to the bathroom, take those red panties off I saw you put on earlier, and bring them to me.”

The heavy look in his eye begs me to misbehave.

“And if I refuse?” I press.

“Then tonight, I’ll go back to my place, and you can go back to yours, and dinner is simply dinner.” Finn picks up the glass of water. “But, if you’re a good girl, faolan, I’ll give you a reminder as to why I’m yours.”

“You’re mine?” I question.

Oh, the panties are totally coming off, Finn. Just not how you’re expecting.

Finn nods. “I’m your Dominant, your Alpha, and your mate.”

Those words have no business being that sexy together. But they are. I turn my head to look out of the booth. No one seems to be on a course toward us. Lifting my hips, I use my hand on the inner side of the booth and slide it up my thigh, then hook the fabric of my thong. With a slight adjustment, I run the waistband down past my ass. In seconds, I’ve shimmied them down my legs. Stepping out with one shoe, I trail my other foot up his leg, resting it on his inner thigh above his knee.

“Oh, you’re always out to do things your own way. Always difficult, aren’t you, faolan?” He laughs.

With a shrug, I bring the beer to my lips and take a drink. Finn runs his fingers up and down my leg. He slips my panties off over my heel, and I salivate when he pulls in and bites his bottom lip.

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