I arrived home just after four in the afternoon. Mr Stone, Hunter, had texted to say I could leave early and to remind me to be ready for seven.

What was it with this man, and his 'instructions?' And why was I letting him tell me what to bloody wear?

I knew why.  He intrigued me.

Add to the fact that I couldn't feel him or his emotions, which was too fair to say - kinda nice... and dare I think it, exciting!

It drained me, having to keep up my blockers to avoid the bombardment of people's feelings and their roller-coaster of emotions. It was genuinely a godsend being around someone who wasn't mentally exhausting.

Although I hadn't been around him for that long...yet. Hunter Stone was a busy man. So, I felt oddly relaxed. Well, apart from the numerous visits from his female groupies. That's what I liked to call them. Their perfectly made-up faces would be all smiles. Until I told them he was still out of the office and then their masks would slip and an all too familiar bitterness would seep across their pretty faces... the 'are you telling the truth' look.

I mean really, why would I lie?

Closing the front door, I saw Pearl lying on the sofa, no surprise there. "Relaxing, I see?" I popped my bag on the table and shook off my coat.

Pearl propped herself up on her elbows "Shit, is it that time already?" she asked whilst yawning.

What a busy life she led!

Pearl was a night owl. Although having a degree in economics and more brains than any of the deadbeats she dated. She was content with tending bar at a local nightclub and picking up losers. I secretly thought it had something to do with our grandfather. This was her way of rebelling and taking some control back.

"Nah, it's early. I have a 'thing' tonight, that I have to attend. So need to get ready."

She sat up fully and stretched out. "Make me a coffee Sage."

"You've been home all day, sleeping. And I've been working my little socks off! Don't you think you should get me a coffee?" I tutted, kicking off my shoes. But still made my way to the kitchen to get us both a drink before I threw myself in the shower and made myself beautiful.

Beautiful really? Who was I impressing? Oh yeah, him... let's stop fooling ourselves. You want to look nice for him.

I had to admit, when I had arrived this morning at work and found him waiting in his office, he had sent my temperature soaring and my thighs clenching. And my wolf, well she had never been more excited to see somebody...anybody!

And the way he looked at me. Phew...Holy Wolfsbane! Like he wanted to devour me whole. I felt naked just from his look alone.

Another tremor echoed over my entire body. I'd had too many unholy thoughts and when I saw his erection... again. Mon Dieu. I could feel the warmness pool in my underwear.

And when he had leant over me in my chair and his masculine smell had flooded my nose. My arousal increased tenfold. I wanted to pull his perfect full lips to mine, suck and bite them. To be honest, I craved to taste every inch of him.

Who the hell was I? Honestly, I didn't recognise myself. This had never happened to me before.

But then again. He probably did that to all women. Definitely, those who surrounded him, his army of groupies.

And I doubted I would be any different, Hell, what am I saying, it appeared I was no different. I would stake my life that a ninety-year-old woman would have felt some stirrings down below in his presence.

Remember; you have a job to do!

It's work.

Not pleasure.

Although I didn't know what my reasons for being there were yet... I was still in the dark on that one.

Sitting back on the sofa opposite Pearl, I handed her the hot mug of coffee as I sipped mine. "You working tonight?" I asked.

"Yeah, on at ten. Been summoned to Grandfathers tonight for dinner, and I'm sure that will be fun—not!"

"I was there last night, but he disappeared a few minutes into dinner; an important visitor. So sat and ate dinner all on my own."

Pearl rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "So, you don't know what his grand plan is for having you work at Wolfe Industries?"

Shaking my head. "No, not yet."

Pearl raised her eyebrow whilst giving me one of her looks... the look that said something was ticking in that brain of hers. "What?" I asked.

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Urgh... Sage, you're gonna make me ask?"

"Oui, because I don't have a clue what you're referring to?"

"Hunter Stone! The Hunter Stone! Sex god. Man-whore. Drop dead gorgeous. Fucking hot, panty-dropping pussy magnet?" She wiggled her eyebrows. "And did I mention sex god?" She shook her head slightly before taking a drink of her coffee as she smirked. "Ooh, hot." She blew over the top of her drink.

I dropped my eyes pretending to look at my drink, but I knew it wouldn't take her long to start grilling me. "He's my boss Pearl."

"Look at me Sage," she instructed.

I blew on my coffee again but the burn in my cheeks was like a beacon.

"You don't fool me, Sage Dufrene. You like him—and don't deny it. I know you Sage, the whole 'being' quiet and now the pink flush. You do. You like him."

Her stare was penetrating. "Halle-fuckin-lujah! Three months we have lived together, and you haven't shown the slightest interest in anybody... it's about time!" she said it as if I hadn't dated in years.

"No! I don't Pearl, and it hasn't been that long since I dated. And you know it's not that easy." She was right though; I had been avoiding dating. My last two relationships had gone south because of the constant work it took to be around people long-term.

"Now, can we change the subject please?" Slightly uncomfortable, shifting in my chair.

"Well, it makes me happy—you need to get laid." She smiled a little too smugly for my liking as she sipped her coffee. Pearl didn't have my gift, but she could read me like an open book.

"Lighten up Sage, and you will already know how he feels about you. I'm sure you worked your little mojo on him. Which is an unfair advantage if you ask me!"

I shook my head.

"No?" She pulled back slightly. "Yeah right," she said. Not believing a word.

"That's the weird thing, Pearl. I can't feel him or get a read on him at all, my feelers picked up nothing."

Pearl put down her drink "What, so you felt nothing?"

"No, and it's nice but weird at the same time. I don't feel on guard when I'm around him."

She took a minute to digest the information, biting her bottom lip. "What do you think it means... what makes him different?"

"Don't know." And I honestly didn't.

"Have you told the ol' man?"

My brows nudged together. "Don't call him that."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Grandfather. Have you told him?"

"Like I said, he disappeared, and I ate alone and then came home." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Well if I was you, I wouldn't mention it...yet. He might pull you outta there and bang—there goes your fun!"

"What do you mean?"

"C'mon Sage. You know he uses you to do his dirty work, and if you can't do what he wants. Then he will pull you outta there, faster than you can say Jimmy Choo's."

Worrying the inside of my cheek; nibbling gently, her words rang true. But wouldn't that be for the best? Wouldn't it be dangerous to be attracted to a man like Hunter Stone?

She continued. "And look at it this way. This will be a first for you. Your other 'two' relationships, that French dude and the American, Chiwetel Ejiofor lookalike. Phew, he was hot as shit!" She pretended to fan herself. "What I wouldn't have given to ride on his beaver basher!"

I spat out my drink, bursting into laughter. "Beaver basher? Really Pearl, where do you come up with these." I leant forward to catch the excess spray of my coffee, as my cheeks inflamed for the umpteenth time.

Although she was right. He was a hottie, but after a few months of trying to keep my distance due to his intense emotions, I felt him direct his attention to everything else on two legs... male and female.

"So, this might be a first for you to experience a 'normal' relationship... before you know what... happens?"

I knew exactly where she was going with this. Grandfather wanted me to mate with a wolf from America... A man/wolf I'd yet to meet, Victor. A shiver gripped my spine.

"And let's not pretend here. It's also better than your imaginary man... the dream man. Seen him lately?" She gave me that pity look, the look she knew I hated.

Now it was my time to roll my eyes. "Don't look at me like that." I was seriously regretting telling her about my dream man, Sylar. Although he seemed so real, I was sure he was out there looking for me and he had my gift. Was he my mate?

Or was it all just me and my wishful thinking? Being different or special as my grandfather likes to call me, was a burden rather than a gift most of the time.

Ha! Most of the time - who was I kidding? All of the time!

"Perhaps it's just my subconscious's way of making me feel that I'm not alone." The words came out before I realised what I said. Stupid!

Pearl was up out of her seat and sat next to me on my smaller sofa in a flash. "Awe, babe." She placed her arm around me. "You're not alone, yes. You'll always have me. But you need to stand up to the ol' man. You can't keep letting him run your life and use you when it suits him."

"He saved my life Pearl; I think I owe him."

She made a pffin' noise as she wrinkled her face. "Yeah, yeah, he pulled you out of a burning house... I get it. But, what? So, are you gonna do everything he wants for the rest of your life?"

She squeezed me tighter. "Including marrying or mating with some guy— some guy you've never met! Sage—what if you hate him? What if he's the biggest douche on the planet? What then Sage, tell me."

She was right, deep down she was 100% right. The lump that came with the thought thickened.

I couldn't marry someone whom I'd never met.

I had to find the right time to tell my grandfather. And that thought hurt too. To see a look of disappointment on his face would kill me. And I wasn't sure if I was ready for that look... just yet.

"C'mon Sage, you're nearly twenty-four, you gotta start living for yourself, do what you want to do... DO who you want to do! Get me?" She pulled back, raising an eyebrow to see if I understood.

I got it. "Ok, well enough of this chit-chat. I have to get ready. Mr Stone has asked me to attend a function with him tonight. And before you say it, Pearl – It's work!"

Here it comes...

"Oh, work... yeah, you keep telling yourself that girl. If it makes you feel better." She gave me an exaggerated wink.

I pushed her away with my hand as I stood. She had that smirk idling playing on her lips. Change of subject needed. "So, you heard from Simon?"

"Nah, dumped him via text. Tons more where he came from."

"Good," I said not wanting to discuss it any further. Now it was just a matter of time before the next loser reared his ugly head on the horizon.

~ ~

I looked at the red dress, zipping up the side. It was the only red dress in my closet. I still couldn't believe I would do as he asked. I chewed my lip trying to calm my thoughts.

What was it about him? Oui, he was gorgeous and a sex god as Pearl had so eloquently described. But did I want to go there? Be another notch on what I imagined would be an impressive bedpost?

Hell Yeah! My inner slut yelled loud and proud. And my wolf suddenly stirred, having been asleep since he left the office this morning.

I felt a throb down low as I tensed my muscles and tried to ignore the stirrings of my girly parts springing to life.

Instead, I focused on my dress. Its off-the-shoulder 'A' line with lace beading sat on the knee with the back sitting longer on an angled curve. It was stunning.

I sighed, unsure if it was over the top. I glanced down at my shoes, my favourite black Christian Louboutin's, which Pearl had bought me for my last birthday stared back. Beautiful.

My bedroom door flung open. Knock why don't you Pearl? Not that she would ever listen. Pearl did whatever Pearl wanted... all the time.

"Jesus Christ, Sage. You look amazing." Pearl gasped as I turned to see her standing in my doorway. She walked towards me, then around me. "And those shoes, well I knew they were you when I saw them. You're breathtaking."

I did a small curtsey. "Merci. But do you think I've gone over the top?"

She let out a huffing sound as if to say I'd asked the most stupid thing on the planet. "Dear cousin, this is Hunter Stone we're talking about. Hunter Stone!"Her eyes almost popped from their sockets "You gotta up your game girl. If you wanna catch and keep someone like him."

I spluttered a cough. "Pearl, I have no intention of catching and keeping him... or anyone else for that matter. It's a work thing—strictly business." I placed my hands on my hips and twisted to the side to admire my rear profile.

"Hmm, yeah, sure. You keep telling yourself that." She paused whilst tilting her head, pursing her lips. "Let me guess you have the lace top stockings on underneath?"

Damn her! Was she psychic? "Naturally." I tried desperately to sound blasé.

"I can tell you right now. You, looking like that, he's gonna wanna fuck you. No two ways about it. So, take some protection with you. You have some...right?"

"Pearl!" I yelped. She laughed highly amused.

"Okay." She finally stopped laughing. "But Sage. Protection! I'm being serious." She reached inside the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out a condom.

"Do you carry those things around with you?" Why was I surprised? This was Pearl.

"A girl cannot expect the guy to always be prepared and I don't take risks. Now which bag are you taking."

I turned and pointed towards my bed where my small black Gucci leather clutch lay.

"Ooh. I love this one, perfect." She opened and popped the condom inside. "Thinking, maybe you might need more. Should I put in a whole box?"

My mouth dropped open.

"What? Do I have to say it again - Hunter, Hunter Stone! And let's be honest, I'm hoping you won't be able to walk in the morning!"

"Pearl!" She had no shame.

"Don't tell me you haven't thought about it?"

Curse her! Like I thought- Psychic. I pretended to ignore her question, turning away to gaze at my reflection.

Walking back towards me, she stopped right in from of me and leant in, kissing me on the cheek "Right, I gotta go, can't keep the ole man waiting. And you!" She wagged her finger at me. "Have a good time, relax, enjoy...get laid."

It was pointless trying to argue with her. "And you... play nice!" I said.

"Yeah, whatever," she shouted on the way out of my room.

I glanced at the time.

Holy Wolfsbane...

He would be here in fifteen minutes.