CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

Standing outside the barbershop, Dominic watched through the large glass window as Mila settled a little boy at her station. Thanks to Harley, he’d learned where the pallas cat worked. He’d planned to give it a few days before paying her a surprise visit, but the conversation he’d had earlier with Emmet Pierson had pissed him off. Not just because Rosemary had told so many lies or because her father refused to consider that he was wrong, but because Dominic prided himself on being good at reading people. He hadn’t seen that streak of crazy in Rosemary. Or was it cunning? He wasn’t sure.

He couldn’t quite shake off the anger. He needed a distraction. Needed to let all that shit just fall away. And he had the feeling that a little banter with this particular feline might just lift his mood.

He recognized the other two barbers as members of her pride. Both Archie and Evander had been present not only at the battle on Mercury Pack territory but also at Madisyn and Bracken’s mating ceremony. The two male pallas cats had briefly mentioned the barbershop to him, but they hadn’t spoken of Mila.

Dominic pushed open the front door and stepped inside. The oak flooring creaked slightly beneath his feet. With the subtle scents of citrus, leather, and spice, the place smelled clean and masculine.

When Mila met his gaze and he felt her attention settle over him, a savage sexual need twisted his stomach. It was all he could do not to close the distance between them and indulge in a thorough taste of her. His wolf perked up, intrigued by this feline.

Evander looked up from where he was shaving a client and tipped his chin at Dominic. “Hey, Lothario. How are things?”

Mouth twitching, Dominic said, “Good. Very, very good.” Planting his feet, he smiled at Mila. “Hello again.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Something I can do for you?”

Shit, that smoky voice was like a ghostly finger trailing down his cock. “Sorry to bug you, Mila—I’m lost. Can you give me directions to your place?”

She rolled her eyes while the others chuckled.

Dominic took a step toward her. “I was driving past here, and it occurred to me that it’s been a while since I had a haircut. Imagine my surprise when I saw that you work here.”

“Surprise,” she echoed, her voice heavy with skepticism. “Right.”

“So can you fit me in? I just need a trim.”

Her eyes flicked to the waiting area. “Sure. Take a seat.”

Well, that surprised him. He’d expected her to claim to be too busy or to send him to either Evander or Archie. Apparently, Mila was made of sterner stuff.

Sinking into the leather sofa, Dominic plucked a newspaper off the table. He didn’t read it, though. Didn’t even look at it. His attention was on Mila as she talked with the boy in her chair while she worked. Those slender, capable hands were deft yet precise. She moved with efficiency and confidence, and he could tell that she’d been doing this job for some time. He could just imagine those hands touching him, stroking him, and wrapping around his cock.

While not bubbly or animated, she radiated positive energy. The flow of it was subtle yet constant, and it made her exude a sense of calm that put people at ease—just as it did the boy in her chair. Even with that air of mystery she carried, there was just something very steady about her, especially with that touch of unflappable cool—like a jungle animal that knew it had no natural predators.

He noticed that the male with the little kid watched her just as closely, but there was no lust in his eyes. No fascination or curiosity. But there was a glint of . . . something. Nothing sexual, though, which meant Dominic didn’t have to warn him off or—

The boy’s toy car fell to the hardwood floor. As Mila gracefully bent to pick it up, Dominic’s cock jerked at the sight of her heart-shaped ass encased in those flattering black pants. And when she stood upright, flicking that riot of curls out of her face, he damn near crossed to her and sank his hands into them.

Mila figured she should have known better than to think he’d back off. Guys like GQ didn’t take rejection well, did they? Still, she’d never have expected him to seek her out. Try his luck again at the club maybe, but not turn up here.

She didn’t like that he’d come. And yet she did. While she didn’t have time for the kind of games that such guys liked to play, it nonetheless felt good to have a diversion from the other shit going on in her life. And he was a very pretty diversion.

The moment their eyes had locked, her pulse had skittered, her stomach had done a little flip, and her whole body had come alive. Like she’d stuck her fingers in an electric socket. Then his mouth had curved in mischief, and that sexy-as-hell smile had made her nipples tighten.

Her cat had done a long, languid stretch as she came to full alertness. The feline was wary of who she allowed into her world, and she sensed that this walking enigma was trying to shove his way into it. The cat hadn’t yet decided whether she liked his perseverance or not, although his attention did stroke the pride that Joel had wounded in choosing another female over her.

Mila could feel Dominic’s gaze on her. He wasn’t simply ogling her, he was watching her carefully. Studying her. Probably looking for a damn weakness so he could barge his way past her defenses and get that bout of sex he was seeking just to satisfy his ego. Sigh.

Done with her young client, she led him and his uncle to the cashier’s desk. “I’d say your nephew was very well behaved.”

“He was,” agreed Dean, handing over cash. “He’s always fine once he sits in the chair, so I don’t know why he fusses.”

Mila offered Finley two of his favorite lollipops. “There you go.”

“Say thank you to Mila,” said Dean.

Gratefully taking the candy, Finley gave her a shy smile. “Thank you.”

“Take care, Mila.” Dean flicked Dominic a curious look on the way out, but the wolf paid him zero attention.

Once she’d cleaned her station, she gestured at the chair. “Ready when you are, GQ.”

Muscles bunching and rippling, he stalked toward her with a predatory purpose that sent a delicious little shiver down her spine. Warmth bloomed low in her stomach because damn if he wasn’t twelve levels of pure deliciousness.

She kept her smile professional and friendly, ensuring she looked unaffected by the visceral force of sexual chemistry that had snapped the air taut and sent her nerves haywire. And now he was looming over her, giving off all kinds of pheromones and generally muddling her thoughts.

“Want coffee or anything?” she asked.

“I’m good, thanks.”

That liquid-sex voice slid over her skin like caressing fingers. As he sank into the padded chair, his brooding eyes met hers in the large mirror, and the heat there made her stomach clench.

It wasn’t the first time that a good-looking guy had sat in her chair. Hell, there had been plenty over the years. They’d smiled and flirted and stirred her hormones, but none had ever rattled her. This one did, though. He made her feel . . . hunted.

She clipped a cape around him and then covered his nape with a neck strip. His hair was classically styled—short at the back and sides while the slightly longer hair on top was upright and swept ever so slightly to the left. She sifted her fingers through the silky strands, a little annoyed that such a simple thing made her nerve endings tingle. “It could do with a trim.”

“Which is why I’m here.”

She snorted. He was there because she’d turned him down, and his ego couldn’t quite handle it, but whatever. “Hmm.”

As she used the clippers to trim the back and sides of his head, Dominic asked, “How long have you worked here?”

“My lawyer told me I don’t have to answer that question,” she said, deadpan.

Dominic’s mouth twitched as amusement trickled through him, soothing the jagged edges of his mood. Yeah, this was just what he needed. Even his wolf began to relax, steadied by her sense of calm.

Dominic’s gut clenched as her tongue peeked out just enough to touch her lower lip. He couldn’t help picturing that tongue lapping at the head of his cock. “I heard your pride mates are big on supporting each other’s businesses and that very few of you work for outsiders. Is that why you work here and not at a salon somewhere?”

“No, I work here because it has great substance abuse coverage. Plus, having a job keeps the parole officer off my back.”

Dominic smiled. Anyone else might have thought the witty responses were her way of being friendly, but it was her way of avoiding answering personal questions. He recognized the little trick because he’d used it himself plenty of times. “You weren’t part of the battle on Mercury Pack territory.” He’d have remembered her. Remembered that voice.

“No, I was out of the country at the time.”

“Where?”

Eyes lit with mock paranoia briefly flicked left then right. “Why, what did you hear?”

“Sources say you were at the Playboy Mansion.”

She snickered. “I was in Russia visiting family.”

“The wolverine side?”

“Yes.” Mila said her goodbyes to Evander’s client as the jaguar shifter left. Then, putting down the shears, she lifted a spray bottle and spritzed water on the uncut strands on the top of Dominic’s head. “Stop staring at my mouth.”

“But it’s right there. And it looks so lonely. Does it want to meet mine?”

“Not in this lifetime.”

Chuckling, Dominic watched as she pinched his hair between her fingers and held it straight while snipping at the ends in short spurts. He let himself relax, listening to the snip of scissors, the low music, and her shoes clicking along the hardwood floor. “How long have you been singing at clubs?”

“A while.”

Dominic’s cock twitched as her tongue again peeked out to lightly touch her lower lip. He was gonna end up biting that delectable mouth if she kept that up. “Not big on giving real answers, are you?”

“Ask me an interesting question, and I’ll give you a proper answer.”

“All right. Are you dating anyone?”

Her brows drew together. “That’s not an interesting question.”

“I find this topic very interesting.”

“No, ‘interesting’ is that the fifty-star American flag was designed by a high school junior for a class project—and his teacher gave him a B minus.”

Dominic felt his brows lift. “Where did you hear that?”

“My earlier client mentioned it. He’s a schoolteacher.”

He blinked in surprise as she twirled his chair so that he was facing her. As she snipped at the front of his hair, he took her scent inside him. Fuck, she smelled good. Really good. It was an honest-to-God struggle not to grab those hips and drag her onto his lap. “What time do you finish work?”

Sighing at the sensual invitation in his tone, Mila twisted his chair so that he was facing the mirror again. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”

“But I want you to be the one who takes my virginity.”

Mila tried not to chuckle, and she completely failed. God, she should have sent him to Evander or Archie. Cutting Joel’s hair was hard, although that was mostly because her cat just wanted to rake his face. Cutting Dominic’s hair was equally challenging. He was just so intent on her, as if nothing else existed. He watched every move she made and paid attention on a level that was beyond intense. No one had ever focused so fully on her before—it was both flattering and unnerving. Her cat rather liked it.

Someone so easygoing shouldn’t have such a tremendously forceful personality, but he did. He was just so . . . there. Had such a strong presence—the kind that commanded attention.

Dominic wasn’t someone who would ever fade into the background. She really wished he would. Because right then, the air between them was so sexually charged, it was almost stifling. His blatantly lethal sensuality beat at her composure, and it was a sheer wonder that her hands didn’t shake.

“We’d have fun, Mila.”

“We should stick to being strangers with sexual tension,” she said, focusing on the line where the clipper cut met the scissor cut, blending that border by combing sections of his hair upward and snipping off any ends that poked out of the fine-tooth comb. “Since I doubt you’re short of offers from women, it shouldn’t bother you.”

“I’m finding that it does.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s just because I turned you down. I’m guessing that doesn’t happen a lot.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

Conceited bastard.“I’ll bet you’re one of those guys who gives his cock a name.”

“I call mine ‘the truth.’”

“The truth?”

“Because women can’t handle it.”

She couldn’t help smiling. “God, you’re weird.” Putting down the scissors, she combed out the lingering hair clippings. He vetoed styling products, so she spritzed his hair one last time and then styled it how he liked it. “Almost done.” Removing the attachment from the clippers, she then trimmed his neck and sideburns. She took a moment to review her work and, satisfied that she hadn’t missed any spots, used a hair dryer and small brush to sweep away hair clippings from his neck.

Grabbing the handheld mirror, she held it at the back of his head so that he could see its reflection in the large mirror he was still facing. “Happy?”

“Always.” Genuinely impressed, Dominic decided there and then that no other barber would touch his hair. Unless she barred him from the shop for harassing her, which was quite likely to happen.

She whipped off his cape. “Let me just sweep these bits of hair out of the way before you stand up or they’ll stick to the soles of your shoes.”

It hadn’t been a request, and Dominic had to admit that he liked that assertive note in her voice. Although she was very calm, there was something fierce about her. Something wild that told him she’d never be tamed, never bend to anyone’s will, never tolerate any bullshit or be pushed into doing anything she wasn’t 100 percent interested in doing. This female knew what she wanted and would settle for nothing less. He respected that.

He would bet that every single one of his pack mates would tell him he was wasting his time here. They’d tell him to walk away and forget about her. The thing was . . . he couldn’t. It wasn’t merely the thrill of the chase. No, she drew him. Made his wolf crave her attention. No female had ever done that before.

At the counter, he paid for the haircut and pulled a lollipop out of the sweet jar. “You didn’t tell me what time you finish work today.”

“And I’m not going to.”

He tilted his head. “What is it? You like to be the one who does the asking? Okay then, make my day, Mila. Ask me out.”

“All right. Get out.”

He laughed. “At least let me tell you your future before I go.” Grabbing a pen from the counter, he quickly scribbled his cell number on the palm of her hand. “Your future is clear.”

Stifling a smile, she narrowed her eyes. “You’re a ballsy motherfucker.”

“And you’re the first thing that’s truly interested me and my wolf in a long, long time.”

Taken aback, Mila didn’t know what to say. It hadn’t been a playful comment. He looked so serious. She wouldn’t have thought he did “serious.”

Just as Mila pulled her hand from his, the door opened. Her frown melted away as Ingrid Devereaux, her grandmother, walked inside. As usual, she was clad in vintage clothes with her hair styled in an old-fashioned updo. She was also adorned in antique jewelry that was similar to those she sold at the antique store directly across the road. Ingrid managed the shop, overlooking the fact that Vinnie often smuggled money via said antiques.

“Hi, Grams,” greeted Mila.

“Hello, doll.” Ingrid’s face split into a wide smile as she spotted the wolf. “Dominic!”

“Mrs. D.” Grinning, he straightened. “How was heaven when you left it?”

Blushing, Ingrid flicked a hand at him. “Always the charmer.”

His eyes briefly dropped to Ingrid’s burgundy blouse. “That color looks good on you.”

It did, actually, but her grandmother would surely snort at that corny . . . Oh my God, Ingrid was lapping this up!

Smoothing a hand down her blouse, Ingrid asked, “You think so?”

He nodded. “Oh yeah. You’re totally working it.”

Giggling like a teenager, she lightly touched his arm. “Aw, thanks, sweetie.” Ingrid blew a kiss at Mila and gave her a look that said they’d talk in a moment. She then headed over to Evander, who was cleaning his station.

Mila lifted a brow at Dominic. “You’re flirting with my grandmother? Really?”

“You don’t have to be jealous, Mila,” he said. “The only girl I want is standing right in front of me. Frowning.”

“Yeah, well, I’m unavailable.”

His eyes narrowed. “So you are dating someone?”

“No, but I’m entering into an arranged mating.”

He stilled, his face hardening in a way that made her cat go on full alert. “An arranged mating? When’s the big day?”

“It’s not official yet, so there’s no set date, but it’s likely to happen.”

The tension left him, and his mouth curved. “Not official yet, huh? Well, arrangements like those fall through all the time, you know.”

She cursed, realizing she’d just stupidly presented herself as even more of a challenge than before. God, she was such an idiot. “You should drop this, GQ.”

“Maybe. But we both know I won’t.” He skimmed his fingertip down the side of her face. “Be sure to call me, Mila.” After saying a quick goodbye to Evander and Ingrid, he breezed out of the shop.

Evander started toward her. “Well, well, well. Lothario has set his sights on Mila.”

Ingrid hurried over, her heels click-clacking on the floor, eyes sparkling. “What did he write on your hand? Evander said he scribbled something on your palm.”

“It’s nothing,” said Mila, hoping they’d drop the subject.

Ingrid grabbed Mila’s hand. “Ooh, is that his cell number? I saw him here while I was across the street, and I figured he’d be flirting with you. I met him at Madisyn’s mating ceremony—that boy could charm the birds out of the trees with just a smile.” Ingrid cocked her head. “But I must say, you don’t look charmed.”

“Well, I’m not.” For the most part.

Evander’s brows lowered. “You’re not gonna call him?”

“No,” replied Mila.

Ingrid gaped. “Why not? He’s gorgeous and charming, and you’re both single.”

“Grams, you do realize that he only wants a quick fumble in the dark with me, right?”

Ingrid lifted her shoulders. “And whatever’s wrong with a fumble? Really, doll, I don’t see why there has to be anything quick about it.”

Mila held up a hand. “I don’t feel like being another notch on GQ’s bedpost. That’s all I’d be to him. I don’t think he’s quite the player he pretends to be, but I know he wouldn’t want more than sex. You’re my grandmother. Shouldn’t you be offended on my behalf?”

“Would you want more than sex with him?”

“No.”

“Then I don’t see the problem.”

“Neither do I,” Evander chipped in.

Mila lifted her hands. “And I’m done with this conversation.”

“What conversation?” asked Archie as he came strolling out of the break room.

Leaving the three of them to gossip like little old women, Mila tidied her station.

Archie didn’t push her in Dominic’s direction; he simply reminded her of something he’d been telling her for years: “Dominant male wolves are more trouble than they’re worth.”

Ingrid waved that away. “You say that about every species other than pallas cats.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong,” said Archie.

Ingrid shot him an exasperated look. “Well, I have to get back to the store.” She said her goodbyes, pausing to whisper in Mila’s ear, “Life’s for living, doll. Now you call that boy, and let him help you live it.”

Mila just smiled. “Take care, Grams.” Her smile faltered when none other than Joel and Adele walked in just as Ingrid was leaving. Shit. Mila’s cat stood with a hiss, hackles raised, fangs bared.

As Adele and Ingrid paused to chat, Joel headed straight to Mila. Like Dominic, he was tall and had quite the smile. His shoulders were a little broader, though, and his skin didn’t have GQ’s sexy tan or . . . Why was she comparing them? Ugh.

“Hey, stranger,” said Joel, grinning. “Haven’t seen you in at least a week. I came to pick up Adele from work, so I thought I’d pop in and say hi.”

One thing Mila was grateful for was that Joel, unlike most of the pride, didn’t work on this street. If he had, he’d have probably popped in quite regularly. Adele worked at the pawn shop a few stores down from the barbershop, but she rarely visited. It also helped that they lived in their own house as opposed to Mila’s apartment building where many of the pride resided.

He spared Adele a brief glance, noting she was still engaged in conversation with Ingrid, and then turned back to Mila. “Notice the flowers?” he whispered.

Yeah, Mila had seen the huge beautiful bouquet that Adele was carrying.

His voice still low, he continued, “I went on a night out with the guys and didn’t get back until five the next morning, even though I told her I’d be home no later than midnight. She was pissed.” His brows dipped. “If I’m honest, she was beyond pissed—to the point of overreacting. Seriously, you’d have thought I spent the night at a strip club or something.”

Mila frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Adele anything but happy.”

“Well, she doesn’t hold on to her mad for long, but she sure can yell. She’s had a real bug up her ass lately. The slightest thing sets her off. If it wasn’t for the fact that I didn’t scent pregnancy on her, I’d have wondered if she were pregnant.” He shrugged, his smile returning. “Luckily, she’s a sucker for roses—they always get me out of trouble.”

Mila forced a smile. He often confided in her about his relationship with Adele, and such conversations were never fun.

“Do you think maybe you could talk to her and check that she’s okay?” asked Joel. “There’s something she’s not telling me, and I’m worried about her.”

Oh fuck, he couldn’t ask this of her. “Adele and I aren’t close, Joel. If she has some kind of issue, I’m not someone she’s likely to share it with. I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready.”

His shoulders lowered. “Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t ask you to get involved, I’m sorry. Like I said, I’m just worried about—” He frowned, his gaze locking on her hand as she lifted it to push her curls away from her face. “What’s this?” He grabbed her hand, his jaw hardening. “You wrote a guy’s number on your palm? Wait, this isn’t your handwriting.” Joel’s nostrils flared. “Who was he?”

Pulling her hand back, Mila shrugged nonchalantly. “A client. His name is Dominic Something.”

“What is he? Human? Cat?”

She sighed. “He’s a Phoenix Pack wolf. An enforcer.”

Recognition flashed across his face, and Joel folded his arms. “Dominic . . . Yeah, I remember him from the battle. You don’t want to get involved with that wolf, Mila. He reminds me a lot of your ex, Grant. The ultimate ladies’ man. You can do better. And let’s face it, the Phoenix Pack aren’t the kind of shifters anyone should get too closely acquainted with. Their Alpha male’s wolf turns feral during battle, and his mate’s just plain crazy.”

“We’re pallas cats, Joel—we’re really in no position to judge others on their level of craziness.”

“So you’re gonna call this Dominic guy?”

She could tell he wasn’t keen on the idea, but it wasn’t jealousy—just a protectiveness that someone would feel for a close friend. “No, I’m not.”

He exhaled heavily. “Good. It would be just like dating Grant again, so you already know exactly how it’ll turn out—like shit.”

Just then, Adele came toward them, her smile bright. The pretty blue-eyed blonde really had that girl-next-door look going on. “Hi, Mila, how are you?”

“Great, thanks. You?” Fuck, this was hard.

“Never better.” She linked her arm through Joel’s. “We’re just going to grab some Chinese on the way home. Say hi to your parents for me.”

“Will do.” Her cat hissed and spat right up until the couple finally left the shop. Yeah, Russia and Maksim were looking better by the minute.