Chapter 6

My lip curled against my will. Kennedy had run in high political circles her whole life. Even before becoming a Roger, she'd been a target. And she'd made a lot of enemies. Seemed it was now payback.

Before I could say that aloud, a shadow fell across us. Michael. Knew his scent now.

Linc's face lit up, his voice dropping to what I think was supposed to be a seductive purr. "Hey, big guy. You wanna join us?"

So Linc had a crush on Michael. I told myself I didn't care, even as my shoulders tensed. Only because he was looming over us like a dark cloud.

"Go on," I said. "Sit. Stop shading us." I waved in his direction without looking at him.

I didn't actually want him to join us, but I wasn't a dick. Just because he blew me didn't make us friends, though.

A pause.

"Thanks, I'd love to."

Could feel his smile without looking. Linc's wings fluttered madly for a moment before calming. He patted a seat beside him. Michael instead pulled out the chair next to mine and sat, our knees almost touching.

I tried not to growl.

"Kennedy wants to visit the MT stadium today. And then, we'll head back out to the sugar factory. She's added some security and wants to go over the new layout." He leaned closer than absolutely necessary. "Make sure you bundle up. The cold weather's already rolling in."

I nodded, still not looking his way. Fuck. I hated the cold. That was the only thing I missed about Florida—warm weather. We'd recently had a Nor'easter that shut down most of the city. Now, another storm was predicted to hit in the next couple of days, and it was already ushering in a cold front.

Linc glanced between us as a loaded silence joined us at the table.

"'Kay, I'm gonna get started on chasing down those leads. Talk to you guys later." Linc sprang to his feet, patted my shoulder before leaving.

"What leads?" Michael asked.

"Who's trying to sabotage Domino Sugar." I focused my attention on my now-empty mug.

"Let me get you another cup." Michael jumped up and swiped my mug before I could say anything.

He returned with a full cup. "Black. The way you like it."

"What gives, man?" I forced myself to turn and look at him. Perfectly put together, as usual, in a gray suit that fit his big body like a glove. Went really well with my hoodie, jeans, and work boots. The stark contrast only made me pricklier. Time to end this. "I told you, last night changes nothing."

His eyes focused intently on my face, heat in them.

"Can't I be nice to my mate without you making a big deal of it?"

"Until you realized I was your mate, you would've rather spit on me than do something nice."

"Because I was eaten alive with jealousy. It wasn't until I shifted fully that I recognized you were my mate. That was why I was acting crazy." He leaned in close, his fresh scent making me feel lightheaded. I leaned back and crossed my arms.

"Yeah, it must kill you to find out your mate's ‘just a bird.'"

Michael blew out a breath and stared at the ceiling for a good ten seconds. When he looked back at me, his eyes met and held mine, the intensity unnerving. "I'm not disappointed. A mate is a rare gift. You are a gift."

I swallowed and forced myself to break contact. "I'm sure your family will agree."

Michael raked a hand through his hair. "They're . . . traditional."

"That's a nice way of saying bigoted."

"Why are you trying to pick a fight with me? I simply want to spend a little time, get to know you better. Is that so wrong?"

"See, this is why I don't want to do that. You're wearing blinders. You think spending time together is a good thing. But what's the end goal? You've said your parents won't approve. Hell, it will ruin you socially. So, what? I'll remain your dirty little secret? Or bring shame down upon you and your family? There is no positive outcome here. You'd be better to move on and find someone more compatible with your family's traditional values."

"Now who's wearing blinders?" Michael huffed. "Even if I wanted to—which I don't—now that my wolf recognizes you, I can't move on. You're it for me. No one else will hold my interest."

"Sucks to be you, man." If my heart twinged in sympathy, I ignored it and kept my face stony. The guy needed to face facts. We couldn't work.

He narrowed his eyes. "You'll be in the same predicament."

"Nah, told you, birds don't have mates."

Standing, he chuckled and leaned over me until we were nose to nose. "Let's see how that goes, shall we?"