Page 8 of His White Moonlight (Dominant CEO Shifter Romance #1)

He caught my wrist and pulled me in, shutting the door firmly and leaning a shoulder against it so I couldn’t leave. His pupils were doing their thing again as he stared at me. Saying nothing, I waited.

His jaw started to twitch. “Why are you being so difficult?”

“Difficult? You beckoned, and I came in. You’re the one being difficult, pulling at me and scowling for no reason.”

The tic in his jaw grew more pronounced, and he looked away from me.

“Why don’t you just say whatever is eating at you so we can both move on with our day?”

“Why are you avoiding me?” he asked, his gaze locking on mine.

“How exactly am I avoiding you? I ate breakfast with you and drove in the same car. And I’m standing here, aren't I?”

“You didn’t want to do any of this.”

“No kidding. But I don’t think you’re one to talk. You’ve avoided stuff you don’t want to do, too.”

“Like what?”

“You could have talked to some of the women there last night. Or the women here.”

He averted his gaze again, and I sighed. “You’re right. Not my business. I’ll work on being more tolerable at work to make this summer go faster if you’re willing to do the same. A little bit of patience and cooperation and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

I didn’t particularly like the way he straightened away from the door and took a step closer to me.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Physical intimidation stopped working on me three years ago. Save your effort. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to work. You should do the same. The faster we finish, the sooner we can leave.”

I walked around him and opened the door. “Let me know if you need a Xanax laced coffee or something.”

When I sat at my desk, I didn’t check to see if he was still watching me. Whatever bug had climbed into his brain wasn’t my problem. I set to work and didn’t look up again until my phone buzzed with a reminder at ten to order lunch.

I was a little surprised that no one had tried bothering Bennett yet until I glanced up and saw him pacing in front of his desk.

Yeah, they’re smart not to interrupt whatever that is.

I placed an order with a nearby grill and got up to stretch my legs.

On the way to the bathroom, Grandma spotted me through Mom’s office windows and waved.

I waved back and continued to the bathroom, knowing very well that her wave hadn’t been a greeting but a summons.

She was waiting in the hallway when I exited.

“How’s Bennett today?”

“In a mood, but you already knew that, or you wouldn’t have been at the house this morning.”

She grinned at me.

“He’s a prickly one, but he’s easy enough to manage once you know the secret.”

“What’s the secret?”

“Flattery.”

“Pfft. Been there. Tried that. It only makes him more annoyed.”

“Then you’re not doing it right.”

She hooked her arm around mine. “You’re really pretty today, Wrenly. That top makes your mischievous eyes sparkle. Your backside looks good in those jeans, too. It’d look even better in a skirt with some heels.”

I snorted. “I’m not sure if you’re flattering me or hitting on me, Grandma.”

She shrugged a little, but her grin said it didn’t matter which she meant. She’d proven her point because, even though I knew she was playing a game, I’d liked what she’d said.

While I was pondering that, she neatly navigated me back to my desk and walked right into Bennett’s office, ignoring his scowl and the fact she’d interrupted his pacing. She shut the door and closed the blinds.

Shaking my head, I went back to work until she reemerged almost twenty minutes later.

“I’ll see you later, my little Wren. Don’t forget what I said.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I watched her leave and wondered if I could get away with sneaking out with her. Probably not.

I picked up my phone.

Me: Do you know what some people my age do after graduating?

Karter: What?

Me: They travel. I wish I’d switched my ticket to Iceland instead. I hear it’s lovely this time of year.

Aiden: Don’t you like being home?

Me: I feel like this conversation is going to be screenshot and sent to Mom and Dad.

Karter: Nah, we’re just trying to figure out what’s wrong.

Did he honestly not know? My only two friends weren’t here. What was the point of coming home? Just so Mom and Grandma could manipulate me into doing what they wanted?

I tossed my phone onto my desk, leaned back into my chair, and closed my eyes.

Just eleven weeks, Wrenly. You can do this. Eleven weeks and then you’ll be moving into the dorms at ? —

Something tickled my nose, and my eyes flew open at the same time my hands came up.

Bennett choked and coughed, grabbing his throat, which I’d hit, as he straightened away from me.

“One, I didn’t mean to do that. Two, being tolerable means not sneaking up on people.”

He stopped coughing, studied me for several seconds, then pivoted on his heel and retreated to his office. The slamming door didn’t even make me jump.

I picked up my phone from my desk.

Me: How much am I making an hour?

Mom: Administrative assistants start at ten dollars above minimum wage. However, since you’re working with Bennett, we added another five dollars.

Me: Add another five for the person who comes after me, or they’ll never make it past a week.

Mom: I’ll talk to him.

Me: Don’t bother. It only makes him worse.

I tossed my phone onto my desk again and happened to look up and catch him staring at me through the window. With slow grace, I lifted my hand and flipped him off. He closed the blinds.

Psychopath.

And Grandma wanted me to flatter him? It would never work. Any flattery that didn’t send him into a rage would probably only stroke his already unstable ego.

“Is Bennett in? I need these documents signed.”

I looked up at the woman and debated my answer.

“Bennett’s in…sane. If you open that door in the hopes of gaining his attention, it’ll work, but probably not the way you want. He’s extra crazy today, and I heard he likes making people cry. So you do you.”

She looked from me to the door.

“You’re not going to stop me?”

“Even if I could, I’m not sure I’d want to today. He’s being an ass and deserves some irritation.”

She looked torn.

“There’s a better opportunity. His food is being delivered at twelve-thirty. If you’re willing to deliver it, I can go to lunch early.”

“Deal,” she said quickly.

A few other women attempted to approach Bennett as the morning progressed, and I gave them the same “Bennett’s insane” speech as the first one, but without mentioning his lunch.

Only one of the women dared to knock on his door and enter.

The folder she’d carried in sailed out of the room before she ran away in tears.

Bennett stormed from his office to glare at me, which I purposely ignored. His door slammed in response.

Noontime couldn’t come fast enough after that.

As soon as the clock hit twelve, I bolted from my desk and rode the elevator to the main floor with a crush of other people.

The street was just as busy as it had been the day before, which I didn’t mind.

I strolled in the other direction this time and ended up at a little cafe that had delicious-looking croissant sandwiches.

While waiting for my order, a man walked in. He was about Bennett’s age, with lighter brown hair and blue eyes. Our gazes met. He smiled, which turned him from average-looking to attractive. I nodded, and he went to order. Afterward, he stood beside me to wait.

“Wulf Enterprises, right?” he said. “I saw you on the elevator yesterday. You must be new.”

“I am. Started yesterday in administration.”

“I’ve heard mixed things about that department. How do you like it?”

“It’s a summer job, so it’s okay.”

“I’m at Founders, a Wulf Enterprises sublet on the third floor. My name’s Walt.”

“I’m Wrenly. Nice to meet you, Walt.” I shook his hand.

“It looks like you’re doing fine if you already know this is where to eat.”

“Random luck. I ate at the place with the fancy desserts in the Steele building yesterday.”

“If you like desserts, there’s a place two blocks over you need to try. Worth the walk.”

We chatted until my order was ready, and just as I was going to leave, he called my name.

“Rather than taking that back to your desk, check out the Aspen Knoll Park. Perfect spot for a break on a day like today.”

I thanked him and used my phone to find the park as soon as I was outside.

It was only a ten-minute walk, so I decided to go for it.

The park wasn’t simply an expanse of lawn but a maze of flower beds, trees, winding paths, and sculptures with benches scattered throughout.

I wandered for a bit until I spotted Walt at a bench.

He smiled, waved when he saw me, and put his sandwich aside at my approach.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s really pretty. Relaxing to walk around. I think I could lose track of time here.”

“I set a timer, and I eat first.” He motioned to the seat next to him, and I sat. While we ate, he explained the park and how each sculpture had a plaque describing the piece.

“It’s worth taking the time to read them,” he said.

“I will. Thanks for mentioning it.” I collected my garbage and stood. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

Standing, I waved and turned to leave. Bennett was there, ten feet away. My stomach dropped to my feet.

Mom and Dad had one very firm rule for me: No boys.

They were so serious about it that, when I’d admitted to having a crush on a boy in grade school, I’d been immediately transitioned to an all-girl school. Lessons had been learned. Since then, I’d never let myself feel anything for the opposite sex. Ever.

So I hurried toward Bennett and grabbed his arm.

“Random stranger,” I said softly.

“You smell like him.”

“I was sitting next to him. We were talking about the sculptures.”

He looked down at the ground, and I could feel his arm shaking under my touch.

“Do you like him?”

“Of course not. I just met him, Bennett. And he’s your age.”

His gaze flew to mine, and he looked…shocked. I didn’t know why, but it was an opening. I wrapped my arms around him like I had tentacles and gave him my saddest, pleading face.

“Please don’t tell Mom and Dad. I promise there’s zero interest.”

He glanced over my shoulder, gently untangled my tentacle-hold to clasp my hand, and led me away without saying anything.

“Please,” I begged. “I promise to eat lunch at my desk all next week to guard your door.”

“Not good enough,” Bennett said.

I wanted to kick him in the shin. Instead, I tried what Grandma suggested.

“You look really handsome today, Bennett.” He stopped walking, and that perfectly stoic mask he liked to wear slipped into place as he looked at me. Hopeful, since it wasn’t anger, I pressed forward. “And…” Shit. I couldn’t compliment his ass and tell him to wear heels. What else? What else!

“And that shirt nicely accentuates your shoulders. A sleeveless one would be even better.” I reached up and squeezed his muscular arm.

“You’ll eat lunch with me until the end of next week,” he said.

It worked? I couldn’t believe it.

“Deal,” I said quickly.