The Alpha's Temporary Mate (Fated Match)(44)

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.