Chapter 4

"Pack?"

"I mean tribe."

"No, I like pack. That makes me alone wolf." There's a smile in her voice, and I bite back a sharp remark. Being alone wolf doesn't as cool as it sounds. Even if it's all I deserve.

"So..." She has the tone of someone who's been waiting to ask something.

"Have you ever met Jackson King?"

I hide a smile even though she can't see it. "Mmm... A few times, yeah."

"What's he like?"

I shrug in the darkness. "Hard to say."

"Hard to say because he doesn't reveal much?"

I keep my mouth shut.

"That's what I've heard. So is he the awkward King of geek or the creepy kind?"

I wasn't aware of the various categories of geek. I don't consider myself a geek, but then, as a shifter, I don't consider myself in any human category.

"I'm guessing the creepy king." She goes on. "Because no one that hot should be so anti-social. I mean, he must have some serious flaws. According to rumor, the man never dates.

They say he has no social life whatsoever. Never goes out. Total recluse. He must be damaged. Or else gay. I bet he's the type who keeps his boyfriend tied up in a closet for whipping when he comes home at night."

Again, my face almost cracks into a smile. I'll show you whipping, little Batgirl. "Sounds like you know a lot about him."

"Oh.. I, uh... I guess I'm interested in him. He's kind of a celebrity to fellow geeks. I mean, his original coding was pure genius, especially for the time."

This time, I do grin. Her assessment of me, apart from the gay whipping boy part, makes my pulse pick up speed. Another anomaly I don't care for attention, and she's right - I don't give up personal information. I have too big a secret to hide. But her interest in me has my wolf pirouetting Mine.

"So, what kind of geek are you?" I ask.

"Apparently, the kind who blatters like an idiot to strange men when she's in elevators. But I'm surely you already picked that up. Sorry- I normally have a better than average filter. It's a good thing we can't see each other because I've thoroughly embarrassed myself this morning."

It's getting harder and harder to keep from kissing her senseless. I've never been so happy to sit and listen to a human babble. My wolf doesn't even mind being confined for over ten minutes. Usually, it'd be growling to break free and attack the threat. Which could be deadly.

My wolf seems more interested in protecting this lovely, feisty human. It took me a moment to recognize it, but now that I do, my pulse picks up, and I have to force myself not to put my arm around her. Pull her close. Especially when she leans into me.

"Maybe you could agree not to look at me when the lights come back on so we can meet later under normal circumstances."

I don't answer.

"Hopefully, I won't do this blathering thing during my interview and screw it up.

"You really want this job?"

"Yeah, I do. I'd like to work for SeCure, but I guess I've changed. To me, Jackson King and the company he built represent the ultimate in infosec coding, and I want to be a part of that."

The lights flickers on, and the elevator lurches into motion. Damn.

"Oh, thank God," She breathes, scrambling to her feet. I follow her to stand. When she turns to look up at me, the smile freezes on her face. Surprise.

She blanches and stumbles back. The light illuminates her beauty. Flawless skin full lips. Big eyes, high cheekbones. And yeah....the tits and legs looked as good as they in the dark. She's a ten all around. And she's figured out who I am, which gives me the upper hand.

"Well, now you're quiet." I say.

"J.T." she mutters, sounding bitter. She glares as if I'd been the one smack-talking about her rather than vice versa.

"What's the "T" stand for?" she asks.

"Thomas." My mother gave me a decidedly human name.

The elevator stops on the sixth floor, and the doors open. But she doesn't move, I hold it with my hand and gesture for her to get off.

"I believe this is your floor." Her mouth open, then snaps closed. She squares her shoulder and marches past me, two bright pink spots on her cheeks. So Adorable.

Even though I'm late for at least twenty minutes, I follow her off. Not because my body can't be parted from hers. Certainly not because I have to know more about her. Just to torment her a bit more with my presence, now that she knows who I am.

"Ms.McDaniel, there you are," Stu says. He's waiting in front of the elevators must've taken the stairs. Luis, SeCure's Chief Security Officer, stands with him.

"We're getting maintenance up here right away, Mr. King." Luis signals one of his men who take his place at the elevator to stop anyone from boarding. "We'll have it fixed in no time, sir. And I see you escorted Ms. McDaniel."

Stu glances guiltily at me. "I didn't mean to leave her unattended like that. I took the stairs up to make sure I was here when she got off." He makes it sound like he deserves a medal for his heroics. But I didn't say anything.

"I've got her from here. I'm sorry to have disturbed you."

"I'm going to sit on her interview," I say, surprising even myself. Both Stu and Kylie's head whip around, and they gape at me. Kylie flushes further and blinks her big brown eyes. In the light, they are a warm chocolate-brown with a starburst of gold in the middle. Incredible.

The Alpha in me doesn't mind her discomfort. I'm used to making people squirm.