Her Billionaire Werewolf Stepbrother (14 page)

The refrigerator is full of
wonderful things and I want to pull up a chair. I’m so hungry. I grab some
grapes and start stuffing them in my mouth one at a time while I choose what to
eat next. There are fish fillets. Not in the mood. Chicken salad. I pluck a
chunk out with my fingers and stick it in my mouth. Nope. I see steak,
beautiful perfect rib eyes. Hmm. That sounds yummy. I wonder if Jake will sleep
through it or if I should make him one too.

He took me twice earlier then
passed out. He doesn’t sleep often enough so when he does, I try not to bother
him. The smell of steak grilling will wake anyone up. I close the door and move
to the pantry. The cheese curls are there but I’m not hungry for junk. I need
sustenance. There’s soup. Eww. That doesn’t appeal at all. I rummage around in
the pantry when I hear something behind me. Jake is waist deep in the fridge. I
smirk. “Steak it is.” I say when he plops them onto the counter.

“Is this okay?” He says. He’s
wearing only boxer briefs. God he is yummier than the steak. I nod staring at
his chest. “Later, after we eat. Okay?” I look up into the smoky eyes and nod.
I’m still a little sore from before but by the time I finish my dinner, I’ll be
ready. Jake turns the grill on and blue flames spring up. That’s really
convenient. I don’t have to light charcoal like at Dad’s.

Jake seasons the steaks and lays
them carefully on the grill. They sizzle immediately. That smell is heaven. I
get plates because Jake won’t let them cook very long. I make drinks next.
“Want anything with them?” He looks over his shoulder at me. I shake my head
because they are big. I’m pouring soda into a glass. “Beer for me.” He says and
I crinkle my nose but I go to the fridge to find one for him. It’s imported
stuff I’ve never heard of. The guys at home drink Coors.

He brings the plates to the table.
I grab silverware and napkins. We sit and eat in silence. It’s good, he can
cook for me anytime. “Tomorrow at the office I want you to call me Mr.
Williams.” He says. I nod. I expected this. I don’t know how long he thinks it
will take people to catch on but I’ve found that they are a lot more perceptive
than most wolves give them credit for. I’ve spent a lot of time around people
and they have more senses than they think especially when there is an
opportunity to gossip.

“What will you call me?” I ask
coyly.

“Jane.”

“Why can’t you call me Miss
Barlow?”

“Because I’ve never called my
assistant by anything other than a first name. It would draw attention.” I make
a face. Don’t want that.  I sing-song in my head because he won’t find it
funny.

“How are you going to explain me
going into your office to go home?” I lift my eyebrows inquisitively.

“No one else works on our floor. So
no one will see you.”

“Security will not see me leave.” I
grin.

“Or arrive. They know who you are
and where you live Jane. They’ve all signed NDA’s.”

“Yes Mr. Williams.” I quip.

“And Jane…” He lifts an eyebrow.

“Yeah, yeah I know. No faces and no
making fun. I am your professional executive personal secretary or whatever.”
He puts a piece of steak in his mouth and chews still watching me. I’ve stopped
eating and he’s noticed. Jake tips his head in a nod at the plate.  I cut a
small piece and put it in my mouth. He goes back to his dinner. So observant.
“So tomorrow when you talk to the blonde. Do I come in or stay at my desk?” I’m
not sure if I want to be there or not. I want to tear her throat out on the one
hand but also she was just trying to get a job and I think she’s funny. She’s persistent
too. More persistent than I would ever be about getting hired.

“You’ll come in, take notes, and
observe.”

“I thought you had surveillance.”

“You have to look like you’re doing
something Jane.” If I don’t look like I am taking notes, that would tip people
off that they are on camera. Some people anyway and I have a feeling that Mikey
would be one of them. She seems sharp. I decide that I want to be in the
meeting because I don’t want her anywhere near Jake without supervision. I have
to wonder why she wants to work for him so much. What is her interest? I don’t
think it’s romantic because breaking into a building doesn’t inspire cozy
feelings.

The next morning I get up and dress
in a navy skirt and white blouse. I put on pantyhose, which I hate and low blue
pumps. I look nice. I admire my reflection in the mirror. I hear a low sexy
whistle and turn to find Jake staring at me. “Hot.” He says and grins. I
wrinkle my nose then smile back.

“It’s okay?” He nods and holds out
an elbow. I take it and walk with him to the foyer. There are workmen setting
up to paint. I hadn’t missed them yesterday but Jake must’ve given them Sunday
off. Good. People need a break sometimes. They step out of the way and let us
pass. I wonder if they’ve signed NDA’s too. The elevator doors slide open with
a whoosh and we go inside. Jake handles the keypad and we drop to his office.

He steps out and goes to the coffee
maker. It is one of those machines that uses the little cups. “Jane.” I go to
where he is standing. “Water here, cup here, and push this button. Make sure
there is a mug in place.” I nod. It brews noisily and Jake lifts the mug from
its spot when it’s done. He hands it to me and puts another cup in place. I sip
it. That’s strong.

“Is there cream?” Jake opens the
fridge beneath it and looks inside. There are individual cups in a bowl. I take
two and pour cream in my cup. I sip it, that’s better. “So what do you want me
to do first?” I ask following him to his desk. He pulls a chair around from in
front of his desk to behind it and sits in his chair.  I take the one beside
him that he pulled around. He wiggles the mouse.

“First we check email. You have
access to my mail box. I want you to go through them during the day and if
something looks important or pressing let me know. Sometimes I get wrapped up
in what I’m doing then end up spending longer in the office than I would like.
If you can handle it, go ahead, if not just ask. I’ve already sent out a memo
that you are starting today so you may get some visitors or emails from people
in the building.” I nod. “Let’s dig in. Michaela is at nine?” I nod again. Jake
goes through email, one by one.

He reads, responds and files. Seems
simple. I have no idea what any of them mean but he assures me that it will
come in time. When he’s dug through the hundred emails, he goes for coffee
number two. I’m still sipping mine. Jake comes back and we go through his
calendar. “Go to your desk and wait for her.” Jake says after we’ve sorted the
calendar. I pull the chair back around his desk to its place and go out to sit
at my desk. She should be here soon. The elevator doors slide open then and I
expect to see the funny blonde but it’s not. It’s Laurie Tickle. I smile brightly.
She looks mad already.

“Good morning Laurie. I guess you
didn’t get the message. The interview was cancelled.” I say in my most
professional voice. I hide the screw you element well I think.

“I got the message Jane.” She
hisses. “But I’m going to see him anyway and prove how useless you are.” She
stomps over to Jake’s door but it won’t open. I widen my smile.

“Mr. Williams is previously engaged
Laurie. He asked me to cancel your appointment. He will have no time to see you
today or any day.”

“You did this on purpose you
bitch!” She screams at me. I’ve never seen Laurie lose control but I keep mine.
Jake’s door opens then and he stands there glaring at her. “Oh Mr. Williams, if
I could just have a minute of your time.” She gushes and rushes over to him, he
looks at me. I shrug. What can I do? Wolf out at her? No. Not an option.

“Your interview was cancelled, Jane
has filled the position. Your services are not needed.”

“But Mr. Williams, I can do so many
things for you. So many more things than prude little Jane.” Laurie is pouring
on the charm and using her sexy innuendo voice. Gross. She grabs his arm and
presses her breasts to him. I roll my eyes. I can’t help it, it just happened
but Jake lifts a brow at me. It’s not as if I haven’t rolled my eyes at Laurie
Tickle for the past four years.

“Jane call security and tell them
you’ve found the intruder.” He tells me as he shrugs her off.

“But Mr. Williams you have no idea
what I can do for you.” She whines, and that was not sexy at all.

“What I’d like you to do for me
Miss Tickle is leave.” Jake goes back into his office and she follows him.
Nervy. I push the button for security that is printed on a sticker on the
phone. I tell the officer that there is an intruder in Mr. Williams’ office and
hang up. The elevator doors open again across from my desk. I’m expecting
security but it’s Michaela Robertson. She approaches the desk. They couldn’t
get here this fast anyway unless a panther sprinted down the stairs.

“Hi. I have an appointment with Mr.
Williams.” She says brightly.

“Yes, Ms. Robertson. He is just
finishing with something. Have a seat.” I gesture to the sofas to my left. She
turns her head toward Jake’s office and watches Laurie Tickle make a fool of
herself. Her brow raises. I think that’s odd until Mikey sets her purse on my
desk and walks into his office.

“Is she a problem Mr. Williams?” She
has a very commanding voice for someone so young.

“Yes.” He says curtly. Mikey takes
her by the upper arm and marches her out of Jake’s office. Laurie is fighting
her but she is powerless against what I scent. Panther. Jeez this place is
crawling with cats. The elevator in Jake’s office opens with a whoosh and two
of the private security team come out. They go where Jake points and grab both
women.

“The shorter one is your problem,
the other has an appointment.” I say and Mack turns to give me a nod. He takes
Laurie from Mikey and waits for the elevator to come up. Mikey strides back to
my desk for her purse. Jake is standing at his desk watching. He gives me a nod.
“Follow me Ms. Robertson.” I get up and lead her into Jake’s office. I have a
steno and a pen. I’m supposed to take notes. I have a feeling I may be too
interested in what the panther has to say to remember that.

Mikey Robertson is hilarious. I
can’t help but like her even though I want to hate her. She tells him of her
panther exploits as a child and we all laugh. She is very clear up front that
she knows what he is, what we are and what she is. She thinks that her panther
skills coupled with her IT skills would benefit Jake greatly. Then he sobers
and asks.

“And why do I deserve all of this
loyalty. What makes you so eager to help me?”

“You might not remember, but when
you were in college there was a girl.” Oh God tell me she hasn’t slept with
him. My heart starts to pound. There were a lot of girls. “She uh would’ve been
around when you were a freshman. Her name was Leeann.” Jake sits back. He
remembers. I feel the anxiety rolling off him. I wonder if panther girl can
feel it of if it’s a mate thing.

“I remember Leeann.” He breathes.
“She died.” Laurie nods and says nothing. “I couldn’t save her.” I’m lost but
on the edge of my seat. He never said anything. To be fair though, he never
said much about anything especially college and I didn’t know him then anyway.
He was a senior when Mom and Dad got together.

“Leeann was my sister. She told me
how you were helping her battle her addiction and she was winning the fight.
She loved you.” My eyebrow lifts. “Not like that.” She waves a hand at me. “She
loved that someone cared, she loved you as a friend.” Jake nods.

“We had a lot of laughs, I liked
her too. Then she bailed.” He says quietly. I wonder if Jake had feelings for
Leeann. She was before me, he could have liked her a lot and if he had, we may
never have happened. A coil of fear nests in my belly. Jake glances at me and
gives me a look that says don’t worry.

“Our mother died, she um…it doesn’t
matter. She died and Leeann couldn’t deal with it. She overdosed.” How the hell
does a panther overdose? She would’ve had to take all the pills in the
pharmacy. Jake nods and folds his hands on the desk. “I feel indebted to you. I
didn’t want to call you up and say hey I’m Leeann’s sister but I do want to do
anything I can to help you. You kept her sane for almost a whole year and it
was the happiest year of my childhood. I at least wanted to thank you.” Jake
starts typing on his computer and she looks at me. I have no idea what he’s
doing so I give her a little smile and jot down some things on my pad. “I’ve tried
dozens of times for an appointment but your staff would never let me see you so
I went to extremes. Leeann always said that you had a great sense of humor and
a brilliant mind but someone would need to protect you. She also said that you
loved games and puzzles. I figured that my course of action was the best way to
get your attention.”

Jake looks up at her now. I’m
looking at her too. “Don’t take this wrong or think I’m looney but Leeann had
the sight.” Jake nods. What does that mean? I don’t understand. She glances at
me. “She had visions. They weren’t always time appropriate but they were
accurate.”

“Time appropriate?” Crap. I’m not
supposed to talk. Jake looks at me sternly. She nods.

“What I mean by that is sometimes
they were years in advance. Sometimes they were after the fact. Like for
instance, there was a murder of another panther when we were kids. They were
going to punish someone for the crime but Leeann had a vision and told our
parents how it happened. She gave them details that no one else knew and led
them to key evidence.” I mull that over. She could’ve done it herself. “She was
nine.” Mikey said. Okay so she didn’t do it herself. I nod and scribble on my
steno.

“What do I need protection from?”
Jake asks quietly. She shakes her head.

“She never said, just that you did.
She saw a woman with dark hair. I don’t know if you need to be protected from
her or help protecting her.” She looks me square in the eye. He doesn’t need
protection from me and he knows it. Jake will translate this into me needing
protection. Crap. “I was a kid so she didn’t always share the gory details. I
have mastered four martial arts and I graduated top of my class with a double
major. I’m sure that you’ve checked me out. You probably know what I eat for
breakfast by now. She thought you needed protection and she gave me the
impression that it was serious. You helped her and I want to help you. Will you
let me?” I blow out a breath while Jake considers it.