Saving His Mate(4)

That was a safe enough question. “A long time. His father was my alpha.”

Rex snorted at that, taking her by surprise. She glanced at him in the mirror to find him watching her with those dark hazel eyes. They were almost a chocolate color, but not quite. There was the slightest hint of green in them and the effect was startling in the dim interior of her Jeep. The soft glow of his vampire eyes let her know he was feeling something for her right now too. She didn’t know from personal experience but she’d heard that vampires’ eyes glowed when they were turned on.

“You didn’t like his father?”

“The male was an archaic monster. It’s amazing Grant is the way he is,” Rex said.

Agreeing with his assessment, Margery settled back against her seat, relaxing more, and belatedly realized she’d been hunched over and gripping the steering wheel for dear life. She had to get a hold of herself. She wasn’t an inexperienced young cub unable to protect herself. Her human and wolf side were warring with each other and it was beyond stressful. Her human side was fighting fear while her wolf side wanted to punch her fear in the face and rub her body all over Rex. Seriously, what the heck? She wasn’t a feline in heat.

She lightly cleared her throat as she continued driving. “I agree. His father wasn’t exactly a monster, but was very mistrustful of outsiders. Anyone who wasn’t part of the pack.” And Grant definitely wasn’t like that. The world was changing and he was taking big strides in the shifter community. He’d mated with a human and now had jaguar shifters living with them.

“What do you do for the pack?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, slowing as she reached the turn-off for the condo entrance located right off Beach Boulevard. She typed in the access code, not bothering to check if Rex watched her. He was a vampire and if he wanted inside their complex, he could just scale the wall surrounding the private parking lot in one jump. Of course he’d be tackled by one of her many packmates, but the privacy gate was for humans, not supernatural beings.

“Your packmate insinuated that you were like a mother to the pack. Do you have…cubs?”

“No. And I’m just one of the oldest members, that’s probably why she said that.” Only it wasn’t. Margery was one of the caretaker figures of the pack, definitely a mother figure. But right now her wolf didn’t want Rex thinking of her in those terms. She wanted him thinking of her as a sensual, desirable female. Which just frustrated her even more. She should not want this male and she definitely shouldn’t care what he thought. It was a miracle she’d managed to suppress the scent of her need as long as she had. She had to get away from Rex before he realized the effect he was having on her body. Because she had no doubt he’d use it against her.

“I run a bakery near the casino,” she told him, surprising herself. She shouldn’t be giving him information and inviting conversation. Damn it, she couldn’t seem to stop herself.

“Margery’s Bakery? That’s you. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it from the supernatural community. I always thought the way you keep your hours was smart.”

It was silly, but she actually blushed at his words. At least the interior was dark enough that he wouldn’t be able to tell. She opened her bakery right after sunset and kept it open until ten in the morning. She got the supernatural community, the casino crowds leaving early in the morning and during spring break and summer months, she snagged tons of business. Considering most of the pack kept night hours it was perfect for her schedule. “Thanks.”

As she pulled into one of the empty parking spots Rex cleared his throat almost nervously. “Would you like to go on a date one evening this week?”

The sweet way he asked took her off guard as much as the question. “Ah, thank you but I’m going to pass.” She was damn well going to force her wolf into submission. Before he could respond she’d unstrapped her seatbelt and was out of the Jeep. By the time she’d rounded the vehicle to Sarah’s side, Rex was out and leaning against the passenger door—effectively blocking Margery from helping her sleeping packmate out.

There was a gleam in his eyes she couldn’t define as he watched her. Even though she was tall, she had to tip her head back to look at him. His crisp, earthy scent was driving her crazy. “Are you saying no because I’m a vampire? Because I can scent your desire. I didn’t at first, but I can now. Clearly.” There was a sexy edge to his words that sent a shiver down her spine. And his expression was so full of wicked promises it was all she could do not to melt into him.