Page 49 of Obsessed Wolf Daddy

Zack scoffs again. "I bet he fucking does."

Tanya and I roll our eyes in unison at my brother, but I can't fault his sentiment. I know he's just trying to look out for me. He's been doing it all my life.

"Something tells me this is my cue to walk away and return some of these calls," he grumbles.

Tanya laughs and stands to give him a kiss before he grabs his cell and walks off, muttering something under his breath.

"He just cares, you know," she says, refilling my coffee.

"I know," I say quietly, a thousand thoughts rushing through my mind.

Tanya sits across from me, taking a sip from her own mug. "This deal is really something. He's not treating you likesome naive small-town girl he can take advantage of. This is a seat on the board and a chance to really develop that program into something major—which we know it is." She pauses for a moment, setting her coffee down to meet my gaze. "But the unspoken thing here is that I think he wants more. He wantsyou. If you don't want that, then I think you need to stand up for yourself now."

Tanya reaches across the kitchen island to give my hand a quick squeeze. I suddenly feel an immense rush of gratitude that she came into our lives. "Thank you for everything," I say, biting back the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. "Without your help, I don't think I'd have ever finished the program, and now your help with all this...it means the world."

"Hey, nonsense. We're family. And we're both so proud of you, whatever you decide." She has tears in her eyes. "You just need to decide what's best for you. Okay?"

"I want Cole," I say quietly, heat rushing to my cheeks. "I feel the bond. My wolf wants him. But I'm just scared he's too much for me. I'm scared his wolf will just dominate. He's a lone wolf, and I'm not sure what that means for us."

"Are you scared he's like your dad?" Tanya asks carefully.

I shrug. "I don't think he'd hurt me. Nothing like that. I'm just not sure he'll ever see me as an equal. I'm not like Carmela. She's so powerful—"

"You don't have to be like anyone else, Saffy,” Tanya says emphatically. “And being powerful comes in many forms. Your wolf has always been strong, and this tech is your program. There's power in that. You don't have to be his exact equal in business to be his partner in life. I think he's trying to make the effort here, but I guess you won't know until you talk to him. Are you going?"

I nod. "I'll know when I look into his eyes. His wolf can't lie to me. That much, I’m sure of."

Chapter 25 - Cole

Feeling uncharacteristically nervous, I smooth my hair in the reflection of my floor-to-ceiling window. It's already dark outside, and as I look out over the dark mountains, I can see the last of my staff leaving the parking lot below. Only Carla remains, and she has instructions to leave as soon as Saffy arrives for our meeting.

From the corner of my eye, I see the security feed flicker on as Saffy is buzzed into the now eerily quiet office. I watch as she's greeted by Carla, who walks her to the elevator and then tactfully excuses herself. I take a breath as I watch Carla leave the building and come around to stand in front of my desk. I cross and uncross my arms as I lean on the desk, waiting for Saffy.

This is ridiculous. Get yourself together,I tell myself. The truth is, I have no idea what she’s going to say. That complete loss of control is pushing me to the brink in ways I didn't expect.

Wanting control and needing it are two different things.

However, one thing has become crystal clear as I've waited to hear Saffy's response. I want the program. Brite Corp is the perfect home for it, and I hope she sees that. But I want her more.

Jonah has already been pushing a plan B. After all, we have a copy of the program; it wouldn't be difficult for our programmers to recreate a similar model using it as a blueprint. I could circumnavigate any small-scale lawsuit that came my way and push through. But that's not what I want. I want it all: Saffy and Brite Corp's future success.

I'm pulled from my thoughts by the sound of her heels on the marble floor echoing through the empty halls as she walks toward my office. I left the door ajar, so I watch as she steps into view. I'm instantly struck by how beautiful she looks. Her redhair is loose around her shoulders, and her luminous skin seems to glow even in the low lighting. She's wearing a simple fitted black dress that hugs all her curves enticingly but isn't overdone.

She walks into my office with purpose, her head held high. There's something different about her tonight. I saw it the other day during her presentation. I've always found her impressive, but perhaps I didn't recognize her true power until I was forced to see it. She forced me to really look. Now I'm left wondering why I didn't recognize she was the full package before. I just saw a woman I wanted, perhaps one I could bend to my will easily in a way Carmela never did.

I was wrong.

"Hey," I whisper, watching as she closes the distance between us. The air around us crackles with anticipation as our gazes lock onto each other. "I wasn't sure you were going to come, so thank you. You look stunning."

She blushes slightly at the compliment before taking a deep breath of her own. "Thank you," she replies softly.

Despite her soft tone, I can see the fire in her eyes, along with unshed tears. The bond our wolves feel is real, and this forced separation has obviously been as hard on her as it has on me.

We stand there for a moment, each seemingly trying to gauge how the other is feeling. Finally, I take a breath and begin. "You got my proposal," I say, internally groaning at my lame opener because I already know she got it.

Her lips quirk slightly at that, clearly amused. She inhales deeply, almost as if she's trying to calm herself before speaking. My wolf can hear her heart racing, and the proximity affects my own. "I did,” she says. “And I know what a generous offer it is."

"It's a fair offer and one that benefits me, too, Saffy," I respond honestly, stepping closer to her, my voice low and measured. "But I want you to know it's not just about Brite Corp.I meant it...everything. I want to give you your dreams and so much more, Saffy." Our gazes lock for a moment, and in them, I can see the haze of desire, anger, confusion, and hope swirling around like a storm.

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