Wolf's inner beast growled at the accusation he leveled toward Little-Miss-Straight-Laced.
Forget it, he lectured his inner wolf.
His cock had done his thinking for him, one too many times, and it never turned out good. This was no different. Besides, any woman who could shut her emotions and body down, the way the Ice Princess did, couldn't be trusted.
Yet still you're wearing this monkey suit to impress a woman who looks like a sexy librarian.
Wolf did a double take at a chick walking down the sidewalk, as he pulled into the apartment complex.
Of course, Wolf groaned. It was none other than Little-Miss-Straight-Laced. What the hell is she doing walking in those heels? There wasn't much in the neighborhood besides homes. Where is she coming from? Please tell me she's not out for a leisurely stroll, wearing that? Is she so full of it that she can't throw on a pair of jeans and tennis shoes? As he recalled, she had been wearing something similar when he first met her. What's with this chick?
Wolf was glad his windows were tinted, as he pulled into the parking lot and watched his neighbor enter the office. It was a good sign she didn't go rummaging through the desk.
At least she's not a thief.
Instead, she sat nibbling on her full lip, before getting up and pacing impatiently.
She certainly doesn't look poor. Maybe she spends all her money on fancy clothes.
Her expensive looking dress suit was a mix of professional and provocative. The tiny jacket exposed the curve of her neck, as it met her shoulder. Wolf's canines itched as they punched down in his mouth. He salivated at the thought of taking a nip of her delicate flesh.
Her tight-fitting skirt, clung to her pert ass as she paced. She was wearing a set of black high heels, and the kind of pantyhose that had a seam running up the calf. Wolf pictured a lacey garter holding the stockings up.
God, those things should be illegal. The image of those indecent stockings and fuck-me heels draped over his shoulders, as he... Shit man, get it together, before you walk in there. What is your preoccupation with this one?
Her hair was up in a prudish bun again. It was a damn shame she forced those soft brown tresses into a knot, especially when it looked so good falling around her shoulders. Wolf recalled how she looked last night, with her loose damp hair, and the robe clinging to her curves. The thought of winding his fist in her hair and holding her head poised over his cock, had him straining in his pants. Those glossy red lips would look so good stretched around his dick.
You're doing it again. Damn it.
Wolf shook his head when he realized he'd spent half an hour sitting outside trying to get a bead on the woman, and the only thing it had earned him was a hard-on.
Son of a bitch.
Wolf got out of the car, and adjusted his jacket to hide his wayward libido. Otherwise, she'd take one look at him, and know she had him right where she wanted him. Wolf put on a stern unaffected expression as he entered the office.
"Bella Roulant" Her name rolled off his tongue and she turned with a surprised look.
"Yes. Call me Ella. So, you own this place?" She asked, appearing slightly surprised.
"Yes. My sister, Char, said you needed to meet with me, Bella."
Wolf refused to call her by the shortened version of her name. Not only was the name on her lease gorgeous, like the woman, but Ella was a nickname, and as much as his inner beast wanted to get familiar with Little-Miss-Straight-Lace, they weren't.
Ella stood and presented her small hand. Her long delicate fingers, with manicured nails, hung in the air, waiting for him to shake. Wolf took her hand, and instantly a strange shock moved up his arm, as she gripped him in her firm grasp. Ella was stronger than she looked.
Wolf's beast decided to make itself known. Most of the time he had a handle on his primal side, but every now and then something sent it surging to the forefront. Sex and violence being the biggest triggers.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"Wolf." The reply came out sounding deeper than he intended.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Wolf. Sorry that Wright bit you last night."
"It's just Wolf, not Mr. Wolf, and don't worry about your pup."
Wolf still held her hand, trying to determine why Ella made his beast come to attention with a simple touch. It's not like he hadn't touched gorgeous women before. Shifters didn't have trouble in that department.
Ella lowered her eyes and Wolf realized he'd been staring at her. The shy look caught him off guard.
"Okay, Wolf, thank you for meeting with me." Ella extricated her small hand from his much larger one, and the strange sensation disappeared. "I'll get straight to it, and not waste your time. I'm going to be rather late on my second month's rent. I am willing to pay a late fee if possible."
Wolf practically had to shake himself to get his beast under control. It was begging him to grab hold of her again.
"I appreciate that you let me know. But you just moved in, and you're already going to be in arrears?" he asked, attempting to not let too much of his animal leak into his voice.
"Yes. I'm sorry. I feel awful asking this."
"Rent's not that much. If you don't have the money now, what makes you think you're going to have it later? And then again the month after that?"
Wolf watched as Ella's face hardened and that barrier went up. It was like a light switch had been flipped, leaving him in the dark. It was uncanny and disconcerting.
"You are correct. I will have my things out by the end of the month." Ella nodded curtly.
Wolf caught a flicker of something in her eyes as she turned to leave.
On one hand, he had to hand it to her, for not bawling and trying to manipulate him with tears. He'd known more than a few chicks that used waterworks, when their tits didn't work to get them what they wanted. Instead, Ella sucked it up with just a small slip. But on the other hand, her stoic response pissed him off more than if she had tried the weepy routine.
What the hell kind of woman shoves down her emotions so effectively? How does she do that? Some Shifters weren't even that good at shielding themselves.
"Is that it? You're just giving up, and moving?" Wolf found himself demanding.
Ella turned and looked at him. The veiled pain that snuck past her calm mask nearly leveled him, before she again schooled her features.
"Would it matter? You don't know me from Adam. And I don't know your situation. You probably need every dollar you earn to pay the mortgage. Thank you for your time." Ella pivoted toward the door on her stiletto heels.
Man, she's one tuff cookie.
"Bullshit," Wolf barked and Ella gasped. She was indeed straight-laced if cussing offended her. "You can't give me a single reason why I should extend you a favor?"
"Wolf, my excuse shouldn't matter." Ella straightened her shoulders. "I assumed that by coming to you openly, if you could afford to help me and were so inclined, you would. You say that you cannot. I accept that. No argument." She was aggravated, but she also appeared tired.
Wolf felt like a dick, but he refused to apologize. Ella was a conundrum. There was something about her that needled him. Ella attempted to leave, again. It was apparent she didn't like conflict.
"Hold it," he insisted. Ella paused. "I didn't say no. I asked you what makes you think you're going to have rent later, if you don't have it now? It was an honest question."
Ella turned back around and eyed him. Her brows scrunched in consternation. It was actually pretty endearing. Wolf liked the fact he was getting to her. Even her scent had spiked, giving off a sharp, slightly savory aroma.
"If you must know, I just graduated with my bachelors in interior design." Ella looked a little old to be fresh out of college, but it took some longer than others. "And I was offered a job today. It doesn't start for another few weeks, but when it does I'll be able to pay you."
Wolf repressed the grin he felt tugging at his mouth, seeing Ella's hands on her hips, in a confidant and somewhat defiant stance. Her spirited attitude had Wolf's inner beast straining toward her.
"Congratulations. So, where's this job?" he asked with sincere interest.
"A place called Perkins and Will, in Chicago," Ella replied, looking a bit discombobulated by his earnest inquiry. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet.
Wolf suddenly realized Ella had been walking back from the Metra station earlier wearing her swank little interview outfit. She probably didn't even own a car. She must really be desperate if she was living this far outside Chicago, renting from his shitty little apartment complex.