Turner (White Wolf Ridge 1)

“You’re starting to sound like Daphne, but eat first. I still have twenty minutes until the meeting with housekeeping. I have a dozen more cabins to inspect before the onslaught of guests in two days. Then, this place will be run like an efficient mad house.” He smirks and shakes his head before devouring a slice of bacon.

“I’m starting to think you love bacon.”

“Yep. I do, but I have something else I love to eat even more.” He wags his brows, and he doesn’t have to say anything for me to know. His thoughts are thoroughly fucked up, and my pussy throbs as I sit there attempting to not squirm in my seat.

“I’ll behave. I want to get work done, and I don’t have time to drill you before my meeting.”

“Okay. Well, then, stuff your face and think clean thoughts, mister.” I point my forkful of hash browns at him and he snatches it, wrapping his lips around the utensil and growling while he does it. Freaking jerk isn’t helping me out.

“Now, you stop thinking dirty.”

“I don’t think these work breakfasts are going to be a thing. We’ll never get anything done.”

“I believe you have a point, but then that means I have to feed you before we leave the house.”

I roll my eyes at him and then finish my wrap. I’m not full, but I don’t want to be stuffed either, so I take one more bite of my potatoes and then set my fork down.

“Full?”

“Enough.”

“Okay, do you want me to leave the fruit and juice with you so you can snack on it while I meet with the staff?”

“Sure. Thank you.” He sets the carafe of orange juice and the fruit tray on the edge of my desk before placing a small kiss on my lips.

“Sorry, but I really do have to go.” He walks away, and I feel the loss. I’m seriously pathetically obsessed with Turner, but I suppose that’s natural.

My cell phone pings, and it’s a text from Turner. It’s not pathetic. It’s perfect because I’m obsessed with you.

Stop being nosy.

Never. Now get your ass to work.

I would if my boss would stop harassing me.

Never.

Good.

A new email pings in, and it’s a reporter wishing to interview Turner. I’ll have to confer with him before I give a response. Given their secrets, I don’t know if he does interviews at all. The rest of the morning passes in a hurry, and Nancy comes in around lunchtime. “I’m about to go to lunch. Here’s a list of messages for the morning for Mr. Turner. Do you need anything from me before I go?”

“No. I didn’t realize the calls were going to you.”

“Normally they do when they’re not in, but earlier Daphne called her direct line so it went straight through.”

“Okay. Thank you, Nancy.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just a lot to learn in a short period of time. I know how important it is for him to have a great opening of the season.”

“It will be alright. Everything’s in order. They are never as busy as they usually are during these first weeks. Then, everything runs like clockwork. Here’s my cell if you need to get a hold of me. And I’ve sent all calls to voicemail for now because you need time before you can start taking calls. All it’s going to do is aggravate you.”

“Thank you, Nancy. You’re a treasure.”

“Thank you,” she says, grinning from ear to ear with the compliment. Do they praise her often? Maybe it’s because they don’t utilize her enough to show her skills, but she’s been a great asset to me. She nods and then leaves the office, closing the door behind herself. I go over each message. Most of them are the businessmen trying to work with Turner. One is from the same news organization trying to get the scoop on Turner.

My cell phone rings, and it’s Chloe. “Hey, Chloe, what’s up?”

“Oh, Cat and I were just wondering if everything’s okay.”

“Everything’s great now that I’ve met Turner.”

“True. We just wanted to look after you. You’ve been great to us and the community, and now you’re a sister of sorts to us.”

“Thank you. Although our packs aren’t related.”

“Yes, but Cat and you were in the same boat. We think of you as family. I know Erik misses having your tough talk, tiny attitude around the station.” I laugh because I’m a hard-ass always trying to be tough and Erik doesn’t tolerate my need to overdo it.

“I miss him too.” A snarl catches my attention. I look up at the door and say, “Ladies, I need to call you later.”

“Turner, are you okay?”

“Who do you miss?”

“Oh, I was teasing. I haven’t been gone long enough to really feel like I’m missing anyone. I was joking about Erik with Chloe and Cat.”

“Oh,” he sighs, ducking his head a little sheepishly. I almost feel bad for the jealous beast, but I’m sure he misses Daphne and I do my best not to be bothered by that, and they had a much closer relationship. They worked together daily, and she catered to his work needs.