Jamie’s steps faltered.
A giant of a guy with long, shaggy hairthe colour of ebony faced her, his massive frame making mincemeatof the doorway.
Holy crap! Jason Momoa eat yourheart out.
He wore a faded black T-shirt that showedoff biceps the size of melons and a chest built like a wall. Khakicombat trousers and walking boots completed his look, along withleather plaited bracelets and a silver ring depicting a skull.
Aren’t werewolves supposed to be allergic tosilver?
Never mind. What was wrong with her? Noman, werewolf or otherwise, had made her belly tingle for a longtime—not that she was interested. Men were off the menu, andshe was here onbusiness. “Hello, I’m Jamie Osborne from Love Bites dating agency.I believe Mr Beckett is expecting me?”
“I am. You’re late,” came his rude reply,his deep voice gravelly and sexy, and… Stop it, Jamie.
Squaring her shoulders, she climbed thestone steps to his level. Although thankful she’d gone for the highheels, it didn’t help with the height difference.The guy towered above her likeone of the age-old trees that surrounded his mansion.
His nostrils twitched as he sniffed the air.“You’re human?” He seemed genuinely surprised.
She offered her hand. “Yes, I am. Andyou’re a werewolf. Is that going to be a problem?”
Chapter Two
“No, it’s not a problem.” His tone suggestedthe opposite.
“Sorry I’m late, Mr Beckett,” Jamiecontinued. “If it wasn’t for all those potholes in the lane, Iwould have got here sooner.”
She bit her lip. Maybe that hadn’t beenthe best excuse,complaining about the state of what was probably a privateroad.
His jaw hardened. He didn’t shake herhand. “Not that it’s any of your business, Ms Osborne, but I don’town the lane. Its state of disrepair does help to keep unwelcomevisitors at baythough.”
She got the impression she was theunwelcome visitor, despite him insisting she came within the hour.Jamie dropped her hand, but she refused to be intimidated by thegruff giant. “I can come back later if it’s not convenient, but itwon’t take long. I’lltake you through the sign-up process on my laptop in no time.” Shesmiled sweetly. “It’s really not that difficult.” He might be builtlike a rhino, but he was still a dumb technophobe.
At that moment, a movement behind himcaught her dog’sattention and before she knew what was happening, Cujo leapt out ofher bag and ran between the guy’s legs, straight into hishome.
Jamie slapped a palm to her cheek. “Cujo! Ohmy God, I’m so sorry. He doesn’t usually leave my side.”
His surly attitude softened, and a hint of amusement glintedbehind dreamy eyes the colour of mocha. Intriguing flecks of goldcaught the afternoon sunlight like glitter.
“You named your Chihuahua Cujo?” His mouthcurled into a smile.
“What’s wrong with that? Sorry, Ineed to find him.” Shecraned her neck to look around him.
He laughed, a deep rumble inside his chestthat made her stomach tingle again.
“You’d better come in then.” He stood back tolet her in. “Anything to do with the book of the same name?”
His frame still filled most of the space. As she side-shuffledpast, standing as tall as she could, he put his hand on the opendoor, trapping her.
Heat radiated off his body. His scentsurrounded her, earthy and masculine.
Her cheeks warmed. Crap, her face mustlook like a red andorange sunset now. She met his intense gaze. “Yes, but he’s notrabid, I promise.”
“I couldn’t tell by the way he shot throughmy legs.”
Did he have to mention legs? Hers wereturning to jelly. “I thought it was funny, that’s all.”
“Funniest thing I’ve heard all day.”
She wasn’t sure if he was mocking her as sheducked under his arm and entered the spacious hallway. “Cujo, whereare you?”
He followed, shutting the door behind him.“You do realise how stupid it might be to bring a tinydog into a werewolf’shouse, don’t you?”
No more stupid than a were whocan’t answer a few questions on a website.
The guy peered around various pieces offurniture in search of her dog. “I could have the little fellow asan appetiser and he wouldn’t even touch the sides.”
Again, she wasn’t certain he was joking.“Touch Cujo over my dead body,” she told him, her tonedeadly serious, not consideringfor one moment how ridiculous a petite woman like her must lookthreatening a giant alpha werewolf.
He didn’t appear to take offence andoffered a cheeky grin instead. “A Chihuahua and a feisty terrier?My luck’s in.” He winked, leaving her with no doubt he was flirting withher.
The nerve of the man. If he referred to womenas dogs, maybe that’s why he needed the services of a paranormaldating agency.
“Let’s get one thing straight, MrBeckett—”
“Grayson.”
“Grayson. I’m here to help you sign up on the Love Bites datingwebsite, nothing more.”
“Of course, Jamie.”
Why did the way he said her name make herthroat dry and her pulse rate accelerate? She swallowed.“Good.”
“Good.” He fixed her with another intensestare, bringing herattention to those mesmerising golden flecks again.
Damn him.
“I really have to find Cujo.”
“I’m sure he’ll turn up. Why don’t I showyou around the manor and we can look for your dog at the sametime?” He didn’t wait for her answer as he movedacross the hall, hisstrides long and fast.
For a big man, he was surprisingly gracefuland light on his feet.
Jamie broke into a half-run to keep upwith him as he showed her around the mansion. A lounge with a hugeGeorgian fireplace, a dining room, even a library and an impressive ballroom, allwith discreetly placed security cameras. Room after room wastastefully decorated with a mix of modern and antique furniture,and beautiful artwork adorned every wall, some artists sherecognised, but some she didn’t. Like the stunning paintings ofBeckett Hall, and of magnificent wolves in varying poses, thedetail on their glossy fur so well drawn she thought it mightruffle if a breeze blew in from the window.
In several rooms, he called out, “Luna?Where are you?”
No one appeared.
Grayson shook his head. “I despair at thatgirl sometimes.” He didn’t say who she was.
“You have a lovely home, Mr Bec…Grayson.”She meant it too. “Perhaps there’s somewhere we could take a photofor your Love Bites profile?” She rested her laptop case between her
