Page 22 of Obsessed Wolf Daddy

"She's not even here yet, and she's pissing you off," Jonah chuckles. "I really don't know what you saw in her. Actually, scratch that, of course I do."

I shoot Jonah a pointed look, resisting the urge to throw something at his smug face. "Now is not the time, Jonah. I've got enough on my plate without your constant commentary on the situation."

He holds up his hands in mock surrender, a grin still playing at the corners of his mouth. "All right, all right. I'll keep my thoughts to myself...for now."

"When have you ever been able to keep your mouth shut, Jonah?" I scoff. "Besides, she's here on business, apparently. I don't let my personal feelings get in the way of business—Carmela knows that. Her team has been making waves with some new security software. I don't know if Congress will let it pass, so I suspect they want a US stake to ensure it gets through. Dig into it for me."

A Singapore company using Chinese data will rarely get approval. I know Carmela will aim to use her contacts to access the US markets.

Jonah nods thoughtfully. "Sure thing. I heard their board wasn't very happy with some of the latest data on that, so I'll see what's new.” He shoots me a knowing look. “I still think thereal business here will be her trying to get back into your pants. Though from what I saw in Vegas, I'd say your pants are out of order."

I snap my head up, about to lose it, but all I see is mischief in his face.

"Considering you came back to the office and gave everyone a literal blow-by-blow account of your weekend in Vegas, I'd say it's a good job I didn't partake. Don't you?" I raise my brow at him.

Jonah looks almost contrite for a moment before his amused mask returns. "Imayhave gone a little overboard with the highlights, but these small-town folk need a bit of a shake-up. I don't think some of them have even been to an orgy."

He looks so serious as he delivers his final statement that I can't help the bark of laughter that escapes. "Jonah, I don't think many people routinely have orgies. The fact you don't know that...is troubling. Everything okay with you?"

My change in subject is probably making him feel as uncomfortable as I do. We don't typically talk about our feelings. But something about his over-the-top behavior in Vegas isn't sitting right with me—and that says something because I'm usually all for over-the-top behavior.

"I'm just not built for small-town life, Cole,” Jonah says. “You know that. I get restless. But I'm good, and I'm proud of what we're achieving here. I just need to let off some steam now and then." He momentarily drops the bravado. "Besides, it's you we should be concerned about, with your spitfire of an ex landing in town. You going to revisit that shitshow, or has your wolf learned his lesson?"

"I have no interest in Carmela beyond her doing right by Annie,” I say firmly. “And whatever business she's bringing, of course."

Jonah nods thoughtfully.

"I moved on long ago," I add.

"But does she know that?"

I shrug. "I really don't care."

"And who are you moving on to? Or shall I guess?" Jonah smirks knowingly. Have I been that obvious?

"Who's to say I've decided yet?" I say noncommittally.

Jonah stands, buttoning his jacket as he walks to the door. "Well, while you make up your mind about that, I'm going to have a party, maybe fly some of the guys in from the coast, bring in some fresh blood. Shake things up. See how many we can get in the hot tub. I might invite our young interns..."

I know what he's doing. I also know he loves to create chaos—chaos I don't want or need right now.

"Don't make things difficult for yourself here, Jonah,” I warn. “Keep business separate. Okay?"

He salutes me as he exits my office. "Sure thing. You're the boss. I'll get that data to you before Carmela arrives."

I nod. I don’t believe him for a second about the party, but that's the least of my concerns right now.

Chapter 12 - Saffy

"Are you coming down for lunch?" David asks me from the other side of the lab. I suddenly realize we're the only ones left at our desks. "Apparently, someone brought in five boxes of donuts."

I can't help but smile at his infectious enthusiasm for donuts. I shake my head, though. "I'm a bit behind on running those numbers for my college project, so I'll stay and get them done."

He nods. "Strawberry or chocolate? I'll grab you one."

I smile as he walks toward the door. "Chocolate, every time. Thank you!"

He nods and heads out the door, leaving me alone in the lab. I breathe a sigh of relief at having the space to myself for a while. Not that my new colleagues haven't been welcoming, but we've been so busy working on getting the new project together that I've barely had time to finish running my data. I'm grateful for a quiet hour to get these numbers finished before everyone gets back from lunch.

---