Untamed Wolf (21 page)

He wanted to steer her clear of him. It was the first time he’d ever experienced the instinct to push away something or someone he wanted.

He had to admit he didn’t care for the sensation.

His wolf, surprisingly, didn’t rebel. It didn’t want to be the cause of any harm to her.

Wasn’t that just a bitch?

Randi Rutger just might get her wish. He knew no matter what she did, he wouldn’t be able to lift a hand or paw against her.

This mating thing was bullshit, if he did say so himself.

“I see your wheels turning, Woolven. In fact, they’re spinning so hard I can smell smoke. Are you trying to come up with some way to make this offer untenable? Because you can’t. I’m taking it. You let me in, and you’re not pushing me back out.”

His eyes narrowed. “That’s good, Ms. Rutger. Very good. Because the position requires you take up immediate residence at Aphelion.”

“The Woolven Estate in Den Hollow, Missouri? That’s practically in the Ozarks.”

“That’s where the work is happening.”

“And where you’ll be in residence.” She lifted a brow.

“Of course. We’ll be working together very closely on these projects. Did you think I’d just hire you and set you free to wander about to discover my secrets on your own?” He laughed, genuinely amused. “Keep your enemies close, Ms. Rutger. Very close.”

She wet her lips, but she didn’t step back. “Any closer and we wouldn’t be enemies. We’d be lovers. Why don’t you back up a step, Woolven? Your intimidation tactics aren’t going to work on me any more than your smirk.”

“Or, what was it?” He offered her that smirk again. “My pretty hair and big shoulders?” Blake had to say, he liked that she called him on trying to intimidate her. She was fearless. He was way too enamored with the little hellion for his own good.

“Whatever.” She pushed at his shoulders and he obliged her, stepping back. “Thank you. I assume you’ll send a car to collect me?” She said the last in a mocking tone.

“If you desire.”

“Have your people send over the contracts first. Once I’ve had a chance to go over them, I’ll let you know when and if you can collect me.”

“Oh, I’ll be collecting you, Ms. Rutger. It’s simply a matter of when.”

She allowed him the last word, but the arch of her brow and her expression of disdain told him he’d won nothing.

Perverse bastard that he was, he liked it.