2. Henri
Chapter 2
Henri
Yesterday’s meeting was ... intense. Cade was positive he wanted Deacon to take over doing a large share of the public outreach events going forward. Unfortunately for me, Deacon seemed to have the exact same level of excitement about the new arrangement as I did.
My wolf wags her tail, knowing we’re about to go upstairs and see him.
It’ll be easy. I lie to myself. All I have to do is get the world to see Deacon the same way I do. Quirky, fun, and witty. He’s good with children and smart. It’s not hard to list Deacon’s good qualities because, since the first stupid moment I saw him, I’ve been enthralled.
Despite the fact that I have a boyfriend.
As much as I’ve learned Cade’s schedule, likes, dislikes, and tolerance, I’ve learned Deacon’s. Granted he wasn’t supposed to be my job at all, but I already know enough about him from my notes and worry—I mean concern—for his well-being.
Being Tuesday, he most likely stayed up most of the night reading. But the question is, which substance was he on last night? That depends apparently on the weather? I still haven’t figured out his drug use.
Because I shouldn’t be doing that, I remind myself.
But we are because he’s exactly the kind of mate we want. My wolf pipes up.
It’s embarrassing how obsessed we’ve been with him. All the way up to stalking him and learning all the little details of his schedule.
We’re dating Nathan. We love Nathan. He takes care of us. The house and the car... All the things we didn’t have when we left home. He cared.
But there’s . . . something about Deacon.
But he’s the —
I push my wolf away, cutting her off and focusing on climbing the stairs. Normally I’d take the elevator, but watching everyone else do the stairs all day makes me think maybe I’m being a wuss about it.
My calves are burning by the time I hit the third floor. Out of breath, I lean against the wall. I’m going to have to do stairs more often. Flat running outside is fine; stairs, however, need more work. Why do all the other wolves make this stuff look easy? How can I possibly be the only out - of - shape wolf?
Getting myself together, I walk the short distance across the hall to his door. I knock, unsure if he’s going to be awake. Maybe I should have waited until later in the day. But Deacon said ‘see you tomorrow,’ and tomorrow has arrived.
Cade made it clear there is no getting out of this.
For the first time in my, albeit short, professional career, I’m hoping an interaction with the public goes just sideways enough that similar future ventures aren’t seen as beneficial to the pack’s, and Cade’s, long-term goals. Mostly because I don’t want to be on the defense and have to explain to my boyfriend that traveling with Deacon is strictly work and that I’m not having an affair with him.
I get Nathan’s concern though. Some of his past girlfriends have cheated on him, and it’s not a good feeling. But I’m loyal, and I wish he’d trust me more.
All this runs through my head as I stand in front of the only occupied suite on the third floor. Aside from the cleaning staff, no one visits Deacon’s floor.
The door opens a moment later, and Deacon’s standing there without a shirt on in his boxers, his hair wet—I imagine from a shower.
Holy shit.
Wolves are runners and, by nature, are built of lean and deadly muscle. With how slouchy and effortless Deacon normally dresses, I’d forgotten that he’s, well, wolf.
I’ve seen Deacon naked before... briefly, in passing, as we stripped down to shift for pack runs, but I’m usually so overwhelmed with getting myself shifted that I’ve never really looked . Up close and personal, it’s a whole new experience.
Well-defined pecs, strong biceps, and defined abs. But he doesn’t look bulky and ornamental like Nathan does after hours of lifting heavy weights. Deacon is a functional, deadly kind of beautiful.
“Good morning. I wasn’t expecting you up here.” Deacon abandons the shocked look on his face in favor of a panty-melting smile.
Which I only notice because it’s going to be helpful for the job. Women are going to love Deacon .
Yeah, only because of the job .
No other women, my wolf growls.
“Can I help?” he offers.
Deacon’s smile and my wolf’s excitement at seeing him are contagious .
I smile but feel it turning into an almost grimace. “We were meeting today about Cade’s plan?”
“Yeah. That. Got it.” The smile falls from his face, and he hangs his head, frustration clinging to his voice like the frost on the windshield of my car.
“Yeah. I guess I wanted to get started on discussing your comfort level.” I trip over those last few words and clear my throat before gesturing back toward the stairs. “When you’re dressed, want to meet me in my office?”
“No.” Deacon opens the door. “Come on in. I’ll grab a shirt. Lauren sent my breakfast up. I had asked her about some more towels, I thought you were her, but we can share breakfast.”