Soon, the sharks would be in the water, sniffing the blood of their failing business. Jeremy could very well decide to let Jensen Hotels die and pick up the pieces when the business went under in a matter of months.
“I will be in touch. But in the meantime, be kind to Chantal. And please, do tell her about the whole mate thing soon. I do not want to keep secrets from one of my best friends.”
“Sure. Thanks.” Rush headed toward the door but turned before leaving. “Does she know about the Jensen line and its ties to the Winslows?”
“Yes, of course she does. She knows our version of events.”
Rush nodded, appreciating Jeremy for not flat out claiming that Chantal had the truth of it. Just like Rush did, Jeremy must have realized that the facts about what had happened all those years ago had died with their great-grandparents. The real truth had to be somewhere in the middle of what the Jensens knew to be accurate and what the Winslows held onto.
“I guess I should also tell her that I’m somehow related to you.”
“That would be best. Though, I wonder why she didn’t make the connection.”
Rush looked away. “That is on me. I haven’t told her my last name yet. I held off, scared that I would lose her over it. Depending on—” he cut himself off. There was no point saying why he had preferred to keep his linage a secret from his mate, who had all but grown up with the Winslows.
“You were scared she had been fed a line about your family her whole life. I get it. I will just warn you that if you do fuck with her in any way, whatever happened between our great-grandparents will be a cakewalk compared to what I will put you through.”
“Noted,” Rush responded without any animosity.
“Let me look over this plan. I will call you back if there’s anything I can do.”
Rush left with the definite feeling that Jeremy was not going to help at all. And why would he? They weren’t technically family or pack. Not anymore.
Chapter Fourteen
Rush
With Jeremy's meeting over and done with, Rush raced back to his house to take a quick shower and change. If he had been nervous about his meeting with the Winslow heir, it was nothing compared to the excitement he felt at spending the rest of the day with Chantal.
She had planned their first official date, which had been an amazing night in. Now, it was his turn. He had planned something outside for a few reasons. Namely, he didn’t trust either of their self-control anymore. Especially not after the epic make-out session, which they had shared in her cramped hallway.
There was also his wolf. If he was feeling particularly daring, he would tell Chantal about everything. His wolf, the mate sense, all of it. If she asked to see his animal, which he really did hope she asked for, he would be in the perfect place to shift for her.
Yes. I want her to pet my fur. I think it will feel nice.
Easy, he told his wolf. He certainly didn’t want to scare her. For one second, he regretted not asking Jeremy if he had every shown Chantal his shift. Rush hoped not. He wanted to be the first shifter his mate ever saw going through the change.
Rush was still musing about Chantal’s reaction to his shift when he rapped his knuckles against the door. The small bouquet of pink roses he had grabbed was tucked behind his back when Chantal opened the door.
Immediately, the wind was knocked out of his lungs. She was wearing a pair of yoga pants. They were pink and black and stretchy in the best of ways. It put all of her curves on full display, leaving both him and his wolf panting with desire. Her halter-top matched the pants, the keyhole at her breasts, pulling her cleavage into a delicious looking snack.
Rush swallowed hard, running his hand back into his hair. “You look absolutely amazing,” he said with a gravelly voice.
“Stop,” she laughed, getting to the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek. “It’s called leisurewear. I’m hardly dressed to kill.”
“You seriously misunderstand the impact this outfit is having on me.” He gulped, trying to tamp down his burning need for her.
Just kiss her. One kiss. Just one kiss. His wolf was pleading with him like a beast possessed.
“These are for you,” he managed to say as he presented the roses.
Chantal blushed