The Alpha's Temporary Mate(24)

Ensuring he never made another mistake like he had with Lisette.

He'd been happy in his superficial world until his little witch had come  crashing into it, determined to tear down his walls regardless of  whether she had the right.

And despite his best efforts, he cared. More than he should. Seeing her  sad unsettled something within him that he hadn't felt since Lisette.

Apprehension snaked through him. He was on dangerous ground.

Chloe glanced up at him with her bright green gaze. "I'm sorry," she  repeated, rolling her shoulders back as a smile slid onto her face. "I  don't want to ruin the evening. Tonight will be fun."

With anyone else he would have accepted the obviously fake words. But  with Chloe it worried him that her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"We can go," he repeated. "I care about you more than making an impression on your friend."

She blinked, the faux smile slipping. "This impression is important to our game."

Doesn't matter. The words were on the tip of his tongue before he called  them back. What was he doing? She was right. Keeping up appearances was  more important than either of their personal feelings.

Chloe looked over his shoulder and a resigned expression crossed her face. "Besides," she said, "Jessica's here."

Turning in his chair, Kieran glanced behind him …

And saw a cover model striding toward them.

The woman was tall, with wicked curves clothed in a skintight gold  dress. Black tresses were pinned away from her flawless porcelain face,  and stunning blue eyes locked with his.                       
       
           



       

Kieran didn't need to check to know every male in the restaurant watched  Jessica's approach. She moved with confidence, despite the high  stilettos on her feet. The woman managed to look dangerous and sexy all  at once. As she grew closer he shook his head to clear it. Ogling over  another woman in front of Chloe was not an option.

But when he looked back at his date, he realized she'd been very aware of his reaction.

"Jessie," she greeted, rising to hug the model. "Right on time."

"I couldn't wait to meet your man," Jessica replied, in a throaty voice made to whisper dirty words.

What is going on with me? Kieran frowned. He appreciated gorgeous women  as much as the next man, but Jessica wasn't the one he wanted to go home  with.

The two women took their seats, as he tried to figure out what was  happening. Compared to Jessica, Chloe's brand of beauty couldn't  compete, yet when he looked at the witch, warmth spiraled through him.  She might not be as flashy, but she was beautiful in her own right. He  loved the way her lips curled when she looked at him and thought he  didn't notice. Or the tiny lines that furrowed her brow when she thought  too hard. Or the way her fingers danced when she wasn't paying  attention, as if they ached to do a little magic.

Glancing at Jessica, the warmth inside him disappeared. The woman might  be breathtaking but she couldn't hold a candle to his witch. So why did  she cause such a reaction in him?

Jessica held his gaze, her eyes filled with some knowledge he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Kieran," she purred. "A pleasure to meet you." She leaned toward him, giving him a view of the swell of her breasts.

"Any friend of Chloe's is a friend of mine," he replied, concentrating  on controlling the desire pulsing through him. He didn't want this  woman. His wolf whined and paced within him. Neither of them understood  what was happening.

Until everything clicked into place.

Chloe had said Jessica knew men. Jessica, a woman made so flawlessly  perfect no man could resist her. One who inspired dark, sexy fantasies  in every male she met.

"Succubus," he said.

Chloe blinked while Jessica leaned back, a satisfied smile on her lips.

"Guilty," she said.

"Turn off your charms, or it will be a lot less nice to meet you."

Her smile turned into a grin, and immediately the desire pulsing through  him dissipated. She was still stunning, but he didn't feel any need to  reach for her. Turning his gaze to Chloe brought the heat pounding back.

"Not many men can resist my lure," Jessica said, placing her napkin in her lap. "You must really love Chloe."

Chloe's gaze shifted to her empty plate.

"I know what I want," Kieran said, his eyes on his pretend mate. "And no offense, Jessica, but you're not it."

"Of that I'm very glad." She held out her hand to him. "It really is nice to meet you now that I know you care about Chloe."

"So I've passed the first test, hmm?" he said as he took her hand.

"Yes, but don't worry. I have many more."

He returned her smile, not minding that she was protective of Chloe.

"What are the specials tonight?" she asked as she reached for her menu.

With a grin, Kieran waved over their waiter. He might be in for a long night.



Chloe watched her dining companions with bemusement. When she'd first  seen Jessica she'd wanted to sink into the floor. The succubus had  pulled out all the stops tonight, making Chloe's efforts to clean up  seem like a child trying to imitate her mother with smeared makeup and  too-big high heels. Jessica could be drop dead gorgeous when she wanted  to be-after all, it was a survival tactic-but in the work place she  usually toned down her gifts. Dressing in purposefully baggy clothes  with little makeup helped her do her job without every male she  interviewed falling for her. In fact, it had been a while since she'd  seen her friend in all her sex demon glory.

Every eye in the restaurant had been on her when she walked in. More  than one man had been smacked by their date as they openly drooled after  the succubus. Even Kieran had been unable to look away.

But unlike the other men, he'd fought the attraction long enough to  correctly deduce Jessica's nature. Chloe had never seen that happen  before. She hadn't lied when she'd said Jessica had mastered her gifts.  Men simply did not get away from her.

Especially ones not really in love. How had Kieran done it?

Now the pair appeared relaxed, carrying on a conversation as if Jessica  hadn't just tried to seduce Kieran and he hadn't managed to break her  spell. Even for a magical being, this was a weird night, Chloe thought,  as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.                       
       
           



       

When the waiter came to take their orders, she automatically picked the  first dish off the pasta selection. Food didn't matter. Figuring out her  date and her best friend did.

"You guys are leaving at the end of the week, right?" Jessica asked Kieran, reaching for her wineglass.

"Yes. On Friday, to beat the weekend traffic."

"Sounds like it will be a fun party." Jessica turned her way. "Tasha and  I divided up your files. Everything is set for you to be spirited away  into the forest."

"That sounds great," Chloe said.

Jessica whistled. "A couple's retreat in the woods is pretty intensive. You sure you guys are ready for that?"

Kieran reached across the table to catch her hand. "We're ready," he  said, pressing his lips to her knuckles before releasing her.

"This is the moon mating thing Tasha is so excited about, right?"

"Mating moon," Kieran corrected. "I'm sure there will be a mass exodus  of werewolves from the city this weekend. Those who can get away will  try to, especially the larger packs with territory of their own to go  to."

"Yes, we're planning for a lighter caseload in the next couple weeks,"  Jessica said. "It works well, as it gives us a chance to go through our  annual audit. First time in years Chloe won't be there to supervise,  though. She never dates werewolves."

"Is that so? Who does she usually date then?"

Jessica waved her hand. "A few witches, a few non-predatory weres. I  think there was a griffin in there somewhere. And a couple humans."

"Really?" Kieran's eyes flicked to her.

"She's never really had a type. Well, not a species one anyway."

"Jessie," Chloe hissed.

Her friend just tossed a grin her way. "What Chloe goes for is on the inside."

"Ah," Kieran said. "So am I her type?"

Jessica snorted. "Hardly. Part of the reason I was so concerned."

"What do you think I'm missing?"

"Well," Jessica said, eying Chloe. "She likes smart men."

Kieran arched a brow.

"Yes, yes, on that front you qualify," Jessica said. "But she also likes  honesty. Someone she can trust and laugh with. Someone kind." She  thought for a minute before adding, "Fidelity. That has always ranked  high on her list. And you, wolf-man, didn't seem to fit that bill."

"Not until I met Chloe," he said smoothly.