Page 6 of Pack and Forth
Rex’s eyes narrowed, a knowing smile on his face. “It seems our lioness is more affected by us than she’s letting on,” he said, his voice a low rumble.
Kira shot him a glare, her pride bristling at the insinuation. “I assure you, my judgment is not clouded by anything other than a desire to solve this case,” she said, her words clipped and precise.
Kira’s words hung in the air, a flimsy facade that fooled no one, least of all herself. The pull she felt toward Rex and Nash was a force of nature, a primal attraction that set her soul ablaze. It was as if every cell in her body was drawn to them, like a compass needle forever seeking true north.
Rex’s eyes glinted, a smirk playing on his lips. “You know, Kira,” he said, his voice a low, seductive rumble, “we could help you with this investigation. After all, two heads are better than one.” He paused, his gaze raking over her in a way that made her skin tingle. “Or, in this case, three.”
Nash leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he fixed Kira with a mischievous grin. “Rex is right,” he said, his tone light and playful. “We know this pack inside and out. We could be valuable assets to your case.” His green eyes sparkled with mirth. “And, of course, we wouldn’t mind spending more time with a stunning lioness like yourself.”
Kira’s heart skipped a beat, her mouth going dry at the blatant flirtation. She knew she should shut it down and maintain a professional distance, but the temptation was too great. “I appreciate the offer,” she said, her voice surprisingly steady. “But I wouldn’t want to impose on your time.”
Rex let out a low chuckle, the sound sending shivers down Kira’s spine. “Trust me, sweetheart, it would be our pleasure.”
The meeting continued, but Kira found it increasingly difficult to focus on the case at hand. Every glance, every accidental brush of skin against skin, sent electricity crackling through her veins. She was hyper-aware of Rex and Nash’s presence, their every move and breath seeming to fill the room.
It was like a dance, a push and pull of attraction and restraint. Kira tried to keep her composure, to maintain a semblance of professionalism, but it was a losing battle. She could feel her carefully constructed walls crumbling, her defenses unraveling thread by thread.
As the minutes ticked by, the tension grew thicker, the air heavy with unspoken desires. Kira’s lioness paced restlessly within her, urging her to give in to the primal need that consumed her. But she resisted, clinging to the last shreds of her self-control.
Finally, the meeting drew to a close, and Kira rose from her seat on shaky legs. “Thank you for your time, gentlemen,” she said, proud of how steady her voice sounded. “I’ll be in touch if I need any further assistance.”
Rex and Nash exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. Fuck. What were they plotting? “We look forward to it,” Rex said, his tone laced with promise. She needed to get out of there so fast.
Kira turned to leave, but Nash’s voice stopped her. “Oh, and Kira?” he called, a teasing lilt to his words. “If you ever need a break from all that investigating, you know where to find us.”
She glanced back over her shoulder, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
With that, she strode out of the office, her heart pounding in her chest. She was playing with fire by getting involved with Rex and Nash. The real question was, did she care? She remembered her words to Maggie and wondered if her sister was psychic or something.
THREE
Rex Stone reclined in his office chair, his thoughts consumed by the captivating lioness he’d met earlier. Kira’s fiery spirit and quick wit had left an indelible mark on his mind, her amber eyes flickering with intelligence and a hint of mischief. The connection between them had been instant, electric—a recognition of something profound and inevitable.
His wolf stirred within him, urging him to claim her, to make her theirs. Rex’s lips curved into a smile as he pictured Kira by his side, her strength and determination a perfect match for his own. She was their mate; he felt it in his bones.
But as the image of Kira solidified in his mind, so did the realization of the risks she faced daily. As a private investigator, she willingly threw herself into danger, chasing down leads and confronting threats head-on. Rex’s jaw clenched at the thought of harm coming to her. It was his duty as an alpha, and now as her potential mate, to protect her—whether she liked it or not.
A knock at the door pulled Rex from his musings. “Come in,” he called, straightening in his chair.
Nash strode into the office, a knowing grin on his face. “Thinking about our little lioness again?”
Rex chuckled. “Am I that transparent?”
“Only to me,” Nash replied, dropping into the chair across from Rex’s desk. “So, what’s the plan? How do we win over our feisty feline?”
Rex leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “We need to show her that we’re not just interested in her for the case. We need to romance her, make her see that we’re the perfect mates for her. She doesn’t seem like your typical feline or even shifter. I scented human in her.”
Nash nodded. “I like the way you think. Good cop, bad cop style?”
“More like alpha and charmer,” Rex corrected with a smirk. “I’ll take the lead, show her the benefits of being with a strong, decisive alpha. You work your magic, make her laugh, and show her the softer side of our triad.”
“I can do that,” Nash said, his grin widening. “What’s our first move, boss?”
Rex leaned back, a confident smile playing on his lips. “I’m going to take her out, someplace nice. Show her a good time. I’ve got those VIP tickets to the Super Bowl in a few weeks. I’m thinking a weekend getaway, just the two of us.”
Nash whistled appreciatively. “Pulling out the big guns, I see. But what about something sooner? We can’t let her slip away.”
“I’ve got that covered too,” Rex assured him. “How about a local date first, something to break the ice and get her comfortable with the idea of us?”