“Is there something in particular that you’re looking for?”
Another laugh sounded from Lucien in the workshop. Her smile tightened.
“Well.” The guy sighed dramatically. “My sister tells me I’m never going to keep a girlfriend with the crappy, old furniture I own at the moment. She recommended here for a dining room set.”
“OK.” Caia nodded, trying to focus. “Well,” she began, walking towards one of only three sets Lucien had on display. It was the least stylized, solid, straight-edged mahogany. It looked the most masculine of them all. “There is this one.”
The guy nodded, running his hand along the back of one of the chairs. “It’s nice. Mahogany?”
Caia nodded again. “Yeah. If you have any particular questions I can get the owner, Mr. Líder. He crafts everything.”
The guy’s eyebrows rose. “So, it is all handcrafted?”
“Sure. If there is a design that you would like to discuss with Mr. Líder, I can give you a copy of his portfolio, or as I say, you can speak to him personally.”
The customer grinned, eyeing her again. “That’s very cool. Mr. Líder is a lucky man to have such a competent assistant.”
Yeah, she was sure it was her competency he was ogling. She laughed softly at his obvious come on. He was as bad as Alexa. “Be sure to let him know that.”
“Oh I will.” He grinned, obviously assuming she was flirting back. He leaned over the dining table, lowering his voice. “You know, I’m not definite on the furniture, but I’ll certainly take your number,”
“Can I help?” Like a sword unleashed from its scabbard, the steel in Lucien’s tone rang throughout the store. Caia turned sharply. He only used that tone when he was seriously pissed. His silver eyes shifted quickly from her to narrow on the guy.
The guy seemed to sense Lucien’s annoyance and, arrogantly leaning against one of his tables, he drawled, “And you might be?”
Lucien strolled with a fake casualness up the steps from the doorway of his workshop onto the shop floor, and Caia watched as the guy’s expression changed when he saw how huge Lucien was. His eyes flickered to Ryder and back. “I’m the owner. Lucien Líder.”
The guy grinned now and offered Lucien his hand. He indicated the room with a sweep of his free hand. “Your furniture is well crafted.”
“Thank you,” Lucien replied stiffly, refusing the proffered hand. He glanced up at her, and Caia blanched. What in Hades was he doing? Her own gaze drifted past him to Alexa, who was directly behind him, looking less than amused that his attention had been diverted from her.
“Oh.” The guy followed Lucien’s gaze, seeming unconcerned by Lucien’s rudeness. “Your assistant has been very helpful.”
“Is that right?” Lucien murmured, still looking at her. Caia narrowed her eyes on him in annoyance.
“What?” The guy grinned, noticing Alexa behind Lucien. His eyes washed lasciviously over her. “Another assistant?” He smirked at Lucien as if they were friends. “You certainly know how to do business.”
Caia sighed. If this guy knew that he was in a room of lykans, two of which who looked as if they could happily rip him apart, the cockiness would soon dissolve and the peeing of the pants would commence.
Lucien growled, shifting his gaze between Caia and Alexa. He turned back to the guy. “We’re closed.”
“I... I’m sorry?” the guy asked, completely bewildered by the turn of events.
Ryder took over, obviously reading something in Lucien’s demeanor that she didn’t. He clasped his big hand on the guy’s shoulder and started leading him towards the door. “We forgot to put the sign up, sorry. You’ll need to come back during business hours.”
“Bu-”
“Goodbye now,” he said cheerfully, and shoved the guy outside.
Caia scowled. “You just lost a customer.”
“So?” Lucien snarled. “Remember,” he pointed to his ears, “lykan hearing. He wasn’t interested in the furniture.”
Caia rolled her eyes. “That was just talk. I could have gotten him to buy that furniture,” she retorted incredulously. “The guy wanted an entire dining set. Have you had something bad to eat, or something?” Her eyes narrowed on Alexa, who was looking suspiciously triumphant.
He drew her a look of annoyed bafflement. “What?”
“Well, something is pissing you off. Your attitude with that guy...” she looked to Ryder for an explanation. “I mean, I know lykans have an issue with temperament but please...”