Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

J enna walked out of the office building, and immediately glanced up the sky. Even though it wasn't quite dark yet, the sun was already setting, and she could see a few stars starting to twinkle in the twilight.

But that wasn't what drew her eyes above.

Something called to her up there, and though she couldn't see anything except the night sky, it felt like a warm blanket was watching over her. It surrounded her, and gave her the confidence to carry on with her plan.

She'd contemplated stopping at home before going to the restaurant, but she didn't trust herself not to slip into her comfy pajamas instead of something cute to wear while hoping for Eron to arrive, so after a quick check with Maggie that she looked okay, she walked directly to her car and forced herself to drive to the hotel.

She entered the restaurant with her head held high, and quickly scanned the room. There were a couple of people she couldn't see clearly in the booths, but after a quick word with the host that she was going to sit at the bar, she found a spot where she could see everyone clearly, including those standing just outside the door.

The only thing she didn't like was that the large wall of windows to the street was at her back, but she did her best to ignore the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The only person she cared about seeing right now was Eron, and she dug out her phone so she could pretend to check her messages while she covertly watched the door.

Suddenly, he stepped into her line of sight, and she watched him with rapt attention. He was still in the lobby, but she could see his big body clearly, and her pussy tingled at what it felt like to have him slide his dick in and out of her core. He was big, and he'd filled her completely, successfully ruining her for any other man.

When he didn't immediately walk into the restaurant, her confidence started to wane, and it plummeted when she saw a woman with bronze hair a little bit darker than his approach him. The woman was taller than Jenna by a couple of inches, and though she was curvy, too, she was also poised and graceful.

Maybe that's what her ex had meant about her not being good enough to hang on his arm, because this woman was no stranger to wealth and the burdens of society. She commanded the attention of everyone around her, but most of the looks were of respect and awe instead of anger and jealousy.

Jenna was jealous, though, and as much as she didn't want to see Eron with another woman, she couldn't make her eyes look away.

The woman handed him a small, lavender gift bag, and then placed her hand on his bicep and said a few words before kissing him on the cheek, granting him a radiant smile, and turning to walk away. The familiarity tore at her heart, and she glanced down at her phone and wished that the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

Eron obviously knew the woman, and the small gift bag was probably something he'd given her. Maybe he was holding it for her while she went to use the restroom, or while she ran back up to their room to get something she forgot.

Shit!

She'd known waiting for this man was a mistake, and now he was blocking the only exit, and she was trapped. There was no way to get out of the building without gaining his notice, and even though she knew that truth, she glanced around looking for a way out.

The emergency exit down the hall next to the bathrooms caught her eye, but she quickly dismissed the thought because setting off an alarm would draw a whole lot more attention than the smirk of derision on his face when he noticed her.

But maybe he wouldn't notice her. If he was with someone else, maybe she could sneak out while they were walking to their table. Or ordering their food. Although, she didn't want to stick around that long. She felt like a complete idiot for thinking that a man like Eron would want anything to do with her long-term, and she'd been right to run out of that hotel room before he cast her aside when he woke in the morning.

She glanced back at the door and froze when she saw him walking toward her. It was obvious to everyone in the room that she was his target, and she resisted the urge to fidget under his intense stare.

His movements were purposeful as he strode toward her, and when he blatantly placed the small gift bag on the counter directly in front of her, a sliver of fear raced down her spine. She didn't know what game he was playing, but she knew that he was about to embarrass her in some huge way.

Coming here had been stupid, and she blinked, trying to stop the pinpricks she felt dancing around her eyes. She shouldn't have tried to make their night anything more than it was, and now the memory would be replaced by this one, and tarnished forever.

Eron gave her a lopsided smile, and then placed his palm on her cheek as he lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

"She's my sister, sweetheart, and I came here looking for you for the same reason you came looking for me."

His breath on her ear sent a fresh wave of heat racing to every nerve ending, but it was his words that caused liquid heat to gush out of her core. He inhaled deep, and she felt, rather than heard, a low growl rumble through his chest.

Damn!

He was sexy without even trying, but having his big body surrounding her, protecting her, made her want to pull off her clothes, climb into his lap, and fuck him on the stool. She absently wondered if the wood was strong enough to hold both their weights—because she knew Eron would have no problem holding her—when he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, and then another one on her mouth.

Then he sat down next to her, and pulled her stool between his legs until her knees bumped against his thighs. She could see the huge bulge of his cock, and she bit her lower lip as she looked up into his dark, amethyst eyes.

The bartender chose that moment to interrupt, and after checking on what she was drinking, he ordered a cola for himself and asked the man to replace her watered down one.

"I'm glad you're here," he whispered, placing his hands on her hips, and letting them slide down her thighs. "I've been going crazy since I woke up and found you gone. Why'd you leave me, sweetheart?"

The raw pain in his voice made her pause, and when she looked into his eyes, she could see the hurt simmering there. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but the knowledge that she had made her chest ache.

"I..." she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to get hurt."

The words were barely a whisper, but somehow he'd heard them and nodded.

"We need to talk," he said. "Privately. I have a room upstairs. Will you join me there for dinner? Talking only, I promise."

How very boring!

But she knew it was the right thing to do. She didn't want to air their business in public, and the restaurant was filling up fast. Sooner or later, the tables just a few feet from their space at the bar would be full, and so would the other empty seats at the counter.

As if to prove just how public they were, Chris and Sara walked up and invaded their private moment.

"Hey, Jenna," Chris said, "what are you doing here?"

Eron straightened and leveled the man with a stare to say that he was definitely not welcome, and her pussy started to convulse. She'd never had a man stand up for her before—not really—and she liked it way too much.

Or maybe she only liked it because it was Eron. Either way, his reaction made her bold.

"Isn't it obvious," she laughed. "I'm having drinks with my boyfriend. Eron, these are my coworkers, Sara and Chris."

"I'm actually her supervisor," Chris said, holding out his hand.

Eron glanced at the offering before leveling his gaze on Chris. He didn't say a word, just stared at the man for a beat, and then looked at Sara and smiled.

"Nice to meet you."

"Same to you," Sara smiled back. "Come on, Chris, let's go."

Jenna didn't feel anything but pride as Eron and the other woman exchanged pleasantries. She knew exactly why he'd been rude to her boss, and the man deserved it, but Sara didn't. She was glad that her "boyfriend" didn't extend his hostility toward the other woman. Not when she didn't deserve it.

The fact that she'd been brave enough to call him her boyfriend still shocked her, but the words had felt right, and Eron didn't seem to care. In fact, he seemed to lean into the role hard, and she loved the look of distain he had for her ex.

"I'm surprised to see you here," Chris barreled on.

His comment not only surprised Sara, but it embarrassed her a little bit, and she tugged on his arm, but the man held his ground.

Eron looked like he was ready to kill her boss, but she was really interested in what he had the guts to say in front of her "boyfriend" so she humored him.

"Really? Why?"

"I wasn't aware you were seeing anyone."

Like it was any of his fucking business. What the hell was his problem, anyway. She wanted to ask him exactly that, but she still had to see him on a daily basis, and wasn't really sure what was going on.

"Okay..."

Apparently, Sara didn't know either, because the woman quickly tried to change the subject.

"Jenna, I was meaning to ask you earlier. Where did you get that bag?"

"I picked it up at Charlie's ," Jenna smiled, "but it was a couple of years ago. It's been sitting in the back of my closet for a long time."

Charlie's was a brand-name discount store that, surprisingly, she often found great deals at. The clothes were a little bit more on the expensive side, but they were in her budget, and she'd learned a long time ago that a few good-quality base pieces would keep her wardrobe fresh.

"You will not be shopping there," Chris sneered.

"Why not?" Sara asked. "Jenna always looks amazing, and I've never been there before."

"Just no," Chris snapped. Then he turned his attention on Eron. "You actually let your girlfriend shop at that discount place?"

Jenna wanted to laugh out loud, but she didn't dare because the look on Eron's face was murderous. He pushed his stool back and stood, his six-foot, six-inch frame towering over her ex who was barely an inch taller than her.

"My future wife will shop wherever the fuck she wants," Eron seethed, "and wherever that is, it's none of your fucking business. I've been kind up until now, but it's time for you to leave. And don't approach my fiancé again outside the workplace. Do you understand me?"

"Sure man."

Chris tried to sound unaffected, but his voice broke on the first word, and Jenna didn't miss the way Sara tugged on his hand until he finally started moving.

"See you tomorrow, Jenna."

The woman called the words over her shoulder, but Jenna only had eyes for Eron, and her panties were soaked.

E ron watched the other couple retreat until they exited the restaurant, and then he noticed a few of the stares cast his way.

Fuck!

He hadn't meant to make a scene, and he probably shouldn't have been rude to Jenna's boss, but what the hell was up with that guy, anyway? Where did he get off asking what she was doing out of her house, or commenting on where she chose to shop?

He took a deep breath and started to turn back toward his mate. He didn't regret telling that asshole off, but he did regret embarrassing his mate. Especially since she did have to work with the other man, and this was just the beginning of their relationship. He didn't want her to think he was a hothead who couldn't control his emotions. Especially since that wasn't him at all.

At least it wasn't before Jenna.

When he faced her, the look on her face definitely wasn't anger, and the smell of cinnamon and sugar surrounded her. It was a nice surprise, but it didn't excuse the way he'd acted.

"I'm sorry, Jenna. I?—"

"I think we should go up to your room now."

He still needed to apologize, but she didn't seem mad, and he'd be crazy not to take her up on that offer. Especially not when he'd been trying to get her up there before that asshole showed up, and most of the things he had to say needed to be said in private, anyway.

He dropped a few bills on the counter, grabbed the gift bag he'd set down in front of her, and linked his fingers through hers.

When they got to the elevators, he handed her the bag so he could scan his key, and then he never took the gift back. This night wasn't going exactly as planned, but the bracelet inside the bag was made for his mate, and he wanted to see it around her wrist before morning.

Of course, things could go a completely different way, but he wasn't going to worry about that now.

The room he booked this time was three floors above where they were two nights ago, and as they rode to their floor, he noticed something different. Unlike the other night, Jenna wasn't trying to pull away from him. Something had shifted in his mate, and though he doubted whatever was bothering her before was completely gone, he liked seeing her enjoy the amenities.

When they reached his room, she placed her purse and the gift bag on the table in the foyer, just like she'd done before, but this time she turned and placed her hands on his shoulders, urging him down for a kiss. He wasn't going to deny her anything, and the way she attacked his mouth was incredibly hot.

He immediately grabbed onto her waist, pulling her closer, and then heslid his hands under her ass and lifted her up. She yelped in surprise, and then tightened her arms around his neck while mumbling something about wearing a skirt in betweenkisses.

It took him a minute, but he finally understood why her legs were dangling in front of him instead of being wrapped around his waist, and as much as he wanted to pin her against the wall and pound into her soaking wet pussy, it was a reminder that they needed to talk.

"We have to stop," he growled, pulling his lips away, and gently lowering her to the ground.

"Please don't tell me you forgot the condoms again," she groaned, nearly breathless.

"I brought them," he laughed. "But we need to talk first. And eat. I brought you food, too."

"There's food?" Her stomach chose that moment to growl, and they both started laughing. "That's great, because I'm starving."

"Good. Let's eat, and then we'll talk."

"Okay," she nodded.

He smiled as he watched her step more confidently into the room, and he grabbed the small gift bag and followed her to the small dining table set up near the kitchenette. He'd added a tablecloth, candle and place settings to the table, along with a small vase of roses, and when she sat down, he placed the gift bag on the plate in front of her.

"This is for you."

"What? It is?"

"Yes. As I said before, the woman you saw me with is my sister, Clara. I asked her to pick this up for me. Ipurchased it this morning, but the man said it wouldn't be ready until the end of theday, and I didn'twant to show up late to the restaurant and risk not seeing you again."

"What wouldyou have done if you did miss me, or if I never showed up?"

He was standing in the kitchenette scooping the chicken parm onto plates. The small space was nice, but it didn't have an oven, and as much as he wanted to use his own fire to heat their food, they definitely weren't there yet. Later, after he told her everything, he was making this dish again, and serving it to her fresh out of the oven.

"If I didn't see you tonight, then tomorrow I would have accidentally bumped into you after work."

He didn't want her to think he was a stalker, but he would never lie to his mate.

"What?" She laughed as she said the word, but he didn't miss the nervousness attached to it.

"You eat, and I'll start talking," he said, moving the bag and setting a plate down in front of her.

"Okay." The word was wary, butthat didn't stop her from grabbing a fork and start scooping up some of the food. "Oh my god. This is amazing. You made this?"

"Yes. I brought cinnamon rolls, too," he said, sitting across from her.

"Cinnamon rolls?" She looked behind her, as if searching for the soft bread, and he wanted to laugh. She was going to fit into his clan perfectly. Ofcourse, as his mate, she would always get special privileges when it came to food.

"Yes. I brought the whole pan, so you can have as many as you want."

"One will probably be fine," she laughed, turning back to her dinner, "but thank you. How do you know where I work?"

"After you left, I had one of my friends—Evander—search the credit card transactions from the parking garage at the hotel, and once he had a first and last name, it was easy to find out your address, phone number, and workplace."

"That's... Kind of scary." Understandably, the nervous laugh was back. "Do you do that for all the women you hook-up with? Track them down, and... What? Buy them gifts and feed them? Oh shit! Is this food poisoned?"

She set her fork down, and sat back in her chair, pushing it back a couple of inches in the process.

Fuck!

This wasn't exactly how he'd envisioned this night going, but in fairness, he hadn't quite worked out the tiny details in his mind. All he'd cared about was seeing Jenna again, finding out why she didn't like his wealth, and then convincing her they were meant to be together.

Stupid!

Clara had told him he needed a plan, but he'd been too arrogant to think through everything.

"Don't be scared," he said, holding up a hand to stop her from moving further away from him. "No, the food is not poisoned, and no, I don't search down women I've previously hooked up with, or buy them gifts. In fact, I don't normally do hook-ups. I can't even remember the last time I was with a woman before you, but it's been at least five years."

"Five years?" She nodded. "Right. Okay."

"You don't believe me?"

"No," she laughed. "I mean... Look at you. You're wealthy and gorgeous. You could have a new woman on your arm every night."

"You're right," he nodded. "I probably could. But I don't."

He focused on finishing his meal as silence stretched between them.He hated that she thought so little of him, but he tried not to take it too personal. She might be his mate, but she didn't truly know him. Not yet. And it would take time to earn her trust. After a few minutes, she scooted her chair back to the table, and picked up her fork again.

"I used to date my boss," she started. "The guy from downstairs."

He bristled at her words, but tried to remain calm. Hopefully she wasn't still in love withthat asshole.

"Is that why he was bothering you? Did you break his heart?"

"No," she laughed, the sound lacking humor. "He broke mine. Well, notbroke it exactly, but it still hurt. We kept our relationship a secret, and even now, the only person who knows about it is my friend Maggie. She manages the gift shop on the main floor of the building where I work.

"Anyway, we acted professional at work, and then after, we would spend the evening in, usually at his place. Sometimes we would stay in a fancy hotel like this one, or take a weekend trip away to a bed and breakfast somewhere.It was fun, and though I didn't see a forever with him, I trusted him, you know? He was my boyfriend, and I loved him. But…"

She took a deep breath, and he reached across the table and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"What happened, sweetheart?"

"He told me I wasn't good enough. That the reason we never went anywherein public was because I wasn't..." she winced, and then shook her head. "Because I wasn't pleasing to look at. That he couldn'tbe seen in public with me on his arm in a place like this because Iwasn't perfect."

"What?" he roared the word, and everything on the table rattled.

Instead of being afraid, Jenna just granted him a sad smile.

"Yes. Cheap, unrefined, and way too curvy were his exact words. The following week, he started dating Sara out in the open, and now I understand that he was probably pursuing her while still dating me."

And yet, she had been kind to the woman.

"Downstairs, it seemed like you genuinely liked her."

"I do," she nodded. "I mean, we aren't close or anything, but we've always been friendly toward each other, and I don't think she knows about me and Chris. Although, after tonight she might be wondering what's going on, becausewhy the hell would he know where I shop? Plus, he hates my bag, and when shecomplimented me at work today, he was seething."

"What's the deal with the bag?"

"No idea," she shrugged, "but he's always hated it. I stopped using it at his request while we were dating, but he never explained his reasoning.Maybe he thought it was cheap and unrefined, too. Who knows? I forgot all about it until I pulled it out of my closet on Saturday, but when I saw it again, I felt like I'd gained a piece of myself back. I know that sounds silly, but whatever works, right?"

"It's not silly at all."

If he'd known all this when her boss approached them, he wasn't sure he could have refrained from sending some heat the man's way. Not to kill him, but to make him suffer. And he would have no regrets about doing that, either. In fact, if he saw the man again, he couldn't guarantee he would behave, and a little heat was better than a punch to the face.

Although it would be satisfying to see the man's face covered in blood.

Shit!

Maybe he really was violent after all.