Chapter 16
Chapter
Sixteen
Rushing to the Belladonna Hotel to speak to Stone-Arm – either Junior or Senior – wouldn’t be a smart move.
Mallory reckoned she’d only get one shot at persuading them to release the restrictive covenant and that shot had to hit its target, which meant taking her time and being careful.
For the first time in days she felt like she was making progress, and she was humming happily as she bounced into Hirsel Street towards the fountain where she was due to meet Alexander.
‘Well, well, well, Ms Nash,’ drawled a familiar voice. ‘You look very happy today.’
Mallory glanced to her left and smiled when she saw Liam Ferguson. ‘I’m almost always happy,’ she said in a mock whisper as if it were a secret.
‘I can believe that.’
‘You’re looking remarkably louche,’ she commented. It was true; the beta werewolf was the image of rakish decadence.
‘Louche?’ He touched his chest. ‘It’s the blue-velvet jacket, right?’
‘That and the gold medallion, the snakeskin boots and the rumpled linen shirt.’
Ferguson gave her an arch look. ‘I can’t tell if you approve or you think I look like a complete wanker.’
Mallory grinned. Anyone who knew her well would have said that Liam Ferguson’s fashion choices were right up her street; all that was missing was a battered straw hat. ‘Definitely the former.’
‘No,’ another deep voice broke in. ‘Definitely the latter. You look like a complete wanker.’
Alexander MacTire did not look louche; even his sister’s sparkly unicorn T-shirt hadn’t been able to give him that particular edge – not that he was wearing it now, of course.
He was dressed in an impeccable smoke-grey suit with a crisp white shirt that didn’t have a single crease or wrinkle.
He looked like a millionaire estate agent, or perhaps a London-based stockbroker.
Or, Mallory reflected, an alpha werewolf; in other words, about as far from her preferred type as was possible.
So why the hell did her heart skip a beat when she saw him?
Fortunately Liam Ferguson wasn’t offended. He touched his forelock. ‘I’m going to go out on a limb, Mr MacTire, and suggest that you don’t own any blue-velvet jackets with brass buttons.’
‘You’re right.’ Alexander wasn’t rude but his tone was definitely cool. ‘In my experience wolf fur and velvet don’t go together. There’s only so much time I’m willing to yield to a lint roller.’
Ferguson tapped the side of his nose. ‘Ah, there’s a secret to that which I’m willing to reveal to you because you’re the MacTire alpha and my superior.’
Alexander eyed him.
Ferguson continued undeterred. ‘I don’t wear velvet when I’m in wolf form.’ He winked at Mallory. ‘I don’t wear anything when I’m in wolf form.’
Mallory couldn’t help herself; she burst out laughing, which only made Alexander’s expression darken.
‘Well,’ Ferguson continued, ‘I should go. I have a date waiting for me in the whisky bar who’s been wanting to stroke my velvet for some time.
I shouldn’t keep her waiting.’ He dipped his head to Mallory then deepened the movement towards Alexander, indicating that despite his jocular attitude he respected the alpha a great deal.
Then he loped off without a backward glance.
Alexander huffed beneath his breath and Mallory flicked him a look. ‘I was under the impression,’ she said mildly, ‘that it’s important to maintain good relations with other werewolves.’
‘It’s important when they’re werewolf alphas. That boy is a mere beta.’
Liam Ferguson certainly wasn’t a boy, and Alexander wasn’t usually a snob. ‘A mere beta who is going places,’ Mallory commented. ‘He clearly likes you. It would be a good relationship to cultivate.’
‘If he’d stopped flirting with you, perhaps I might have spoken to him sensibly,’ Alexander growled.
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Are you alright? You seem very grumpy this evening. If you’re not in the right headspace we can postpone this for another night. Everyone has off days.’
‘I don’t.’
His face suggested otherwise but Mallory decided to take him at his word. ‘Okay.’ She pointed. ‘I thought the Irish bar would be a good spot. It has a great view of the street.’
‘People don’t usually come to Hirsel Street for the view.’
Mallory grinned. ‘Perhaps not, but it’s why we’re here tonight. Come on.’
They snagged two seats by the window. Mallory ordered two lime sodas at the bar then hopped onto the stool next to Alexander.
‘So I take it that you have a plan for this evening,’ he said.
‘I do. Tonight we will focus solely on sexual attraction.’
Alexander gazed at her. ‘Will we?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded in her most businesslike and professional manner. ‘It’s not the be all and end all of a successful relationship but it’s definitely important, wouldn’t you say?’
He didn’t take his eyes off her. ‘Absolutely.’
‘And we already know from your date with Cathy that it’s important for you be attracted to someone. You told me that you prefer sleek blondes…’
‘No.’
Slightly confused, Mallory squinted at him. ‘You’re not attracted to blondes?’
‘It was Nicholas who said I preferred blondes, not me.’ Alexander’s tone was a tad smug. His eyes roved across her face. ‘Truthfully, my preferences are more … eclectic.’
‘That’s not very helpful.’
He shrugged. ‘What’s your type, Mallory?’ he enquired. ‘Who are you attracted to?’
‘This isn’t about me. I’m not looking for a mate.’
‘Humour me. Would you be interested in a relationship with a werewolf?’
Exasperated, she sighed. ‘If this is another dig at Liam Ferguson—’
A deep growl rumbled from Alexander’s chest. ‘I’m not talking about Liam bloody Ferguson. I want to know about you. Are you attracted to werewolves?’
Mallory felt inexplicably flustered. ‘Stop putting me under a microscope. This is nothing to do with me!’
‘It’s everything to do with you.’
‘What does that mean?’
Something passed across his face that Mallory was still trying to decipher when he replied. ‘This is your operation. You’re in charge. That’s all.’
She nodded vigorously, still confused. ‘Yes, I’m in charge – and I’m not talking about myself. We’re looking for a partner for you, not me.’ She looked at the street. ‘We both need to know what sort of woman really floats your boat, Alexander. There’s a blonde druid to your left. What about her?’
‘Are you going to make me talk to her?’
‘No, this is purely window shopping.’
‘Alright.’ He moved his head and glanced at the druid. ‘She’s beautiful.’ Mallory released a breath. ‘But I’m not attracted to her.’
‘Is there a reason why?’
‘Not that I can put into words.’
Fair enough. Sensing she wouldn’t get any more detail, Mallory looked past the blonde. ‘How about the raven-haired witch passing the karaoke bar? The one who’s laughing?’
Alexander followed her gaze. ‘She looks like a lot of fun. But no.’
‘Not at all?’
He shrugged.
‘Redhead,’ Mallory said. ‘Twelve o’clock. She’s a werewolf, right?’
Alexander looked. ‘Annie Slade. I know her father.’
‘I’m not asking if you’re attracted to her father, I’m asking if you’re attracted to her.’
‘I suppose.’
She checked his face. ‘So no, then. Good.’
He turned to her. ‘Good?’ Light flickered in his eyes.
‘Yep. It’s not looks that attract you, it’s personality.’ She patted his arm. ‘You’re a real man, after all.’
‘Is that helpful?’
‘Very.’ Mallory pointed at his glass. ‘Drink up. We have another place to visit.’
‘What sort of venue?’ Alexander asked suspiciously.
‘It’s not far. You’ll enjoy this.’
Alexander frowned at the neatly arranged tables lined up with two chairs on either side of each one. ‘I don’t understand. What is this?’
‘Speed dating.’ He stared at her. ‘It’s a straightforward concept. Twenty women. Twenty men. You spend three minutes with each woman then you move on.’
‘I’m aware of what speed dating is, Mallory. What I don’t understand is why I’m here.’
He knew exactly why she’d brought him here, he only wanted to hear her say it. ‘I think your problem is that you don’t know who you want or who truly attracts you. This will help you work it out.’
‘I can assure you that I know what I want and I know who I’m attracted to.’
‘Who?’
He didn’t answer, just looked at her as a muscle jerked in his cheek.
‘Well,’ Mallory said. ‘That settles it.’ She checked her watch. ‘You ought to get ready. It’s about to start.’
‘Mallory…’
‘Don’t be nervous! You’ll be great!’ She walked away before he could protest and hoped that this wouldn’t turn into a car crash of an evening.
‘Are you taking part?’ the barman asked as she sat on a bar stool that had a clear view of all the tables.
‘No. I’m here purely as a chaperone.’
‘Sounds kinky.’
She shook her head. ‘Not at all.’
She checked on Alexander who was glowering at her from the other side of the room.
When a bell sounded, he was ushered to a chair; the fact that he wasn’t walking out of the room in a huff was something, Mallory decided, though it was a shame that his first ‘date’ was staring at him with wide-eyed, fan-girl astonishment. Still, he might enjoy a bit of that.
Mallory checked his body language: crossed arms, tight shoulders. Maybe not.
It was a long three minutes. Alexander spoke a few times but the woman was painfully nervous and scarcely opened her mouth.
Mallory couldn’t blame her. The vibes emanating off Alexander were neither warm nor friendly; he looked like a man who’d been dragged here against his will.
Although that wasn’t totally inaccurate, it wasn’t very helpful.
As soon as the bell rang to indicate the end of the first round, Mallory went over to him. Alexander was already on his feet. ‘Get me out of here.’
‘Absolutely not.’
‘This is a nightmare. I’m in hell. I’ve not always been an angelic soul but surely I’ve not been bad enough to deserve this! Save me, Mallory. Please.’
‘Hush. And loosen up, for goodness’ sake. You looked as if you were about to bite that poor woman’s head off. Smile. Act as if you want to be here.’
‘But I don’t want to be here.’