Asher understood that Grant wanted to strengthen his pack any way he could as a preemptive strike against any future threats. And his cousin also likely realized Asher would never try to take over as alpha. They were blood and at one time had been as tight as brothers. It was an unbreakable bond that even time couldn’t diminish.
Max snorted and shook his head. “I saw him drag Talia to the back. I swear he’s got a thing for walk-in freezers.”
Asher frowned for only a moment until he realized what Max meant. “Seriously? Walk-in freezers?”
Max grinned. “Yep. He thinks no one knows about it, but man, they used to go at it in the walk-in freezer of the Crescent Moon Bar all the time. It’s just a guess, but I think maybe he wanted to christen the freezer here too.”
Laughing, Asher started to respond when a familiar scent rolled over him, or more like shattered right through him. It permeated all his senses, making his inner wolf sit up and take notice. Sun, sand and sex. That was what she smelled like.
Ella.
He only had a first name. The little kitten had never given him her last or he’d have hunted her down. Or at least he’d have given it his best shot.
And now she was here. He didn’t know how that was possible, but Asher could scent her somewhere…there! Talking to Max’s mate, of all people.
Lauren slung an arm around Ella’s shoulders and pulled her close as they chatted with the packmates at their table. And Ella slid an arm around Lauren’s waist in a friendly gesture. It was clear they were close and possibly even related. They were the same height and had that same petite build. Lean in the way of jaguar shifters, but still damn curvy where it counted.
A low growl next to him had Asher’s attention snapping toward Max whose eyes had gone complete wolf as he watched him.
“What…shit, I’m not checking out Lauren, dumbass. Her friend, the pretty blonde…?” He trailed off, not sure how to continue in a way that didn’t make him sound like a jackass.
Max instantly relaxed. “They’re cousins. Ella just moved here. She arrived yesterday. I’ll introduce you two. She’s going to be working at Grant’s new hotel so if you take the job, you’ll be seeing her a lot. The woman is really good with numbers apparently and Grant wants her to take over accounting.”
Before Asher could respond, Ella looked their way. As if she knew she was being watched. When those dark eyes of hers landed on him, they widened. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.
His predator instinct kicked into high gear. He couldn’t help it. She’d run from him after the best sex he’d ever had. No explanation other than a sad thank you note. She’d actually thanked him. The polite, almost formalness of her words had made a small part of him laugh. Because nothing about the night they’d spent together had been polite.
It had been raw, earthy and a little dirty.
Max clapped him on the shoulder as he stood. “Come on.”
It was as if his old friend was completely oblivious to the change in the atmosphere. Need hummed through Asher, wild and out of control as he hungrily drank in the sight of Ella.
She was frozen to the spot as they approached. Something Lauren said drew her attention away for a moment, but when they reached the table Lauren smiled and leaned in for a kiss from Max.
“Ella Hayes, this Asher Kincaid.” Max’s voice sounded as if it was coming through a tunnel as Asher stared at the petite blonde.
Everything else dimmed in comparison to her. He couldn’t draw his gaze from Ella’s almost panicked face and her pouty, full lips.
“Kincaid?” she rasped out, definite panic in her voice.
“Yeah, he’s Grant’s cousin. Asher just moved here and is joining our pack. If he takes the job he’ll be head of security at the new Kincaid Beach Resort.”
“I’m taking it.” The words were out before he realized he’d intended to say them. But if she was part of his cousin’s pack, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Max slapped him on the shoulder. “That’s great. Grant will be thrilled—”
“Excuse me for a second, guys,” Ella cut them off before grabbing her clutch purse from the high top table and abruptly dashing into the growing throng of people toward the nearest exit.
Lauren immediately stood, as if she was going to go after her, but Asher shook his head. “I’ll go check on her.”
Lauren’s pretty face scrunched into a frown for a moment before her eyes widened. She grinned widely. “Asher… you’re that Asher?”
From her question he guessed that Ella had told her cousin about the night they’d spent together. Just what the hell had Ella said about him? He nodded and looked at Max, who appeared confused. “Tell Grant I’ll call him later, but I’m taking the job.” Then he disappeared into the crowd. Ella might have run from him once, but he wasn’t letting her get away again.