Alexa sighed and strode over to Lucien, laying a possessive hand on his shoulder. Caia flinched again at the gorgeous picture they made together. Both tall, and dark, and tanned. “Lucien was just being protective,” Alexa purred. “That guy looked at me like I was a whore.”
Caia snorted at that and caught Ryder smothering a grin with his hand. It was nice to know they shared a similar sense of humor.
Lucien shrugged as if it was no big deal. “The guy was a jerk. I don’t sell my furniture to jerks. I have a specific clientele.”
“So what.” Caia shrugged. “I’ve not to serve people you think might be jerks? If so, you’re really going to lose a lot of business.”
Lucien looked uncomfortable. His jaw was clenched and a flush had appeared on his cheekbones.
“Uh.” Ryder coughed. “Why don’t I take you for some lunch, Cy? You haven’t eaten.”
Caia blinked. “Huh? Wha-”
“Come on.” He grabbed her jacket and her elbow, and started guiding her towards the door.
“Um... okaaay.” She glanced back at Lucien, who was still standing tense, his gaze strange on her. Then her eyes drifted to Alexa, who was leaning into him, smiling smugly. She couldn’t believe Lucien had actually lost a customer over that she-devil. Her heart went limp at the thought as she followed Ryder.
Yeah, today was definitely going to be a depressing one.
When Caia related the story to Jaeden later that night at her friend’s home she was assured by her that it was nothing weird for Lucien and Ryder to have acted the way they had if the guy had been even the slightest bit lecherous.
“You know how temperamental we are. Well, males tend to get a little possessive over their womenfolk, even if said womenfolk aren’t their mates.”
“So, that was just testosterone?”
“Yeah.”
Caia grimaced. “How disgusting,” she replied wryly.
Jaeden shrugged, her smile sheepish. “I don’t know. Don’t you think it’s a little hot?”
She guffawed. “No. We live in the twenty-first century. And we’re lykans. We don’t need any man to take care of us.”
Jaeden didn’t look convinced. “Sorry. I just think it’s kind of nice that they care enough to want to smash some human jerk’s face in when he gets a little too friendly.”
“Well it was embarrassing.” Caia sighed. She felt her cheeks turning red at the thought of that poor guy. What must he have thought when Ryder shoved him out of the door? Plus, she mused, biting her lip, he thought she was attractive. It was kind of nice. Her self-esteem wasn’t really up to much lately thanks to the rest of the women in the pack all looking like glamour girls. Her eyes flickered over Jaeden who was beautiful without even having to try.
“I know you don’t want to hear this.” Jaeden was smiling cheekily at her. “But maybe Lucien kicked the guy out because he heard him asking you for your number.”
The thought made her heart kick. It was a nice thought. It was based entirely outside the realm of reality, but it was still nice. She shook her head, her eyes wistful. “I don’t think so.”
“You sound disappointed by that.” Jaeden was grinning, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Am I to assume one has feelings for our glorious leader?”
Oh crap, Caia groaned. In her depression she had let too much show on her face. Trying desperately to cover her slip she shook her head, laughing as if that was the most insane idea on the planet. “Oh please. Of course not.”
Her friend looked unconvinced. “Uh, yeah... sure.”
“I don’t,” she retorted, through gritted teeth.
Jaeden’s expression changed. She slumped and looked serious. “I really think he has feelings for you, Caia.”
“Don’t say that to me.” She got up and grabbed her bag, shoving her feet back into her shoes. Jaeden jumped up, anxiously following her as she made her way out of her bedroom and down her staircase.
“Why? I really think it’s the truth?”
Caia ignored her, her heart beating faster as she rushed down the stairs and out of Jaeden’s front door. Her eyes fastened on her car with relief as she strode towards it.
“Caia.” Jaeden stopped her, spinning her around to face her. “What’s wrong?”