Grayslake: More than Mated: The Right Spot (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page B

hadn’t given it to him, and it wasn’t listed.
    “I hope you don’t mind. Deputy Abrams gave me your number. I was concerned about your sister, and of course, I wanted to talk to you again.”
    His lightly accented voice was doing things to her insides that were probably illegal in some states. The man ought to have to wear a label. Warning: May cause intense, immediate, sexual desire. Proceed with caution.
    “Maryann is recovering. Sleeping now, I think. I’ll tell her you were asking.”
    Was her voice still a little breathless? Was it from running to catch the phone or was it because of the dangerous man on the other end of the line?
    “And you? How are you doing, my little osito ?” Whoa, momma. The cat was getting playful and her inner bear sat up and wanted nothing more than to join in the fun.
    “Did you just call me a teddy bear?” Her knowledge of Spanish was somewhat limited, but she thought she knew that word.
    “Soft, cute and adorable? Yes. That’s how you seem to me.”
    Her breath caught. That was the nicest thing any man had ever said to her.
    “You do realize you’re talking to an Alpha female who scares off most of the men in her own clan, right?”
    She had to be a realist. The cat was flirting with her, but to what end? Did he not understand her place in the clan or her place in the hierarchy? She would hate to get her hopes up only to have him realize he’d been misinformed about her.
    “Then the men in your clan are fools,” he said, with less charm and more honesty than she expected in his voice. “And I’m glad.” She frowned, though the smile on her lips wouldn’t go away. “Because that means you’re still available for me to court.” His answer made her knees feel weak.
    “Court?” she repeated the old-fashioned word.
    “Yes, querida . A courtship is what I propose. Starting with dinner tonight, if you’re free.”
    “Uh…”
    She hesitated for a couple of different reasons. First, she wasn’t sure if she should leave her sister just yet. And also, she didn’t completely trust that this was real. Why would a sexy man like Mario be interested in her?
    “Say yes, mi osito . You know you want to.”
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Mario picked Patty up at her place, which turned out to be a little house complete with a white picket fence. While it was clear the house was older, the grounds and garden were well kept and the house was in decent repair, from what he could see. Mario didn’t go inside. He wasn’t there long enough. He just rang the bell and Patty appeared at the door, a vision of feminine beauty that stole his breath.
    They exchanged pleasantries and he did his best to keep things light while they drove to the restaurant that had been recommended by Van Abrams. The deputy had been surprised when Mario asked for a way to contact Patty, then realization had dawned when Mario asked about fine dining in Grayslake. Van had looked him over, then seemed to come to a decision as he scribbled Patty’s number and the name of the restaurant on a slip of paper.
    He handed it over with a warning not to play around with Patty’s heart. Mario soothed his inner jaguar at the challenge from the bear, knowing Van was just being protective of his coworker. In a way, Mario was glad to see the very real concern in Van’s warning. It was good to know that at least some of her clan members respected and cared for Patty’s wellbeing.
    He kept things light on the drive and while they were ushered to their seats in one of the town’s nicest restaurants. Van had steered him right, judging by the look of the place. Cloth napkins, subtle piano music in the background and an intimate atmosphere. Just what he had been hoping for.
    They sat and talked of different things. She asked him his thoughts on Grayslake and he was happy to make small talk while they got to know each other a bit, and became comfortable in each other’s presence. He didn’t want to rush things any more than