“Jack.” He gave me a handshake as limp as Markle’s was firm and didn’t make eye contact. He couldn’t be older than twenty, barely old enough to shave. Markle probably had his ranch full of guys he could kick around. He definitely was a power trip kind of guy.
Strange that he was most likely in bed with a drug cartel. It almost seemed like something he’d find beneath him, a task he didn’t want to get his callous-free hands involved in. So either the reports of his firing had been wrong, and there was a lot of money in it for him, or he was in bed with them in some way I haven’t figured out. Maybe a family connection or more likely Murrieta had something on him.
It was my job to figure it out, so I turned my smile back on Markle and started up my helpless female charade. “I just got in today. You were right on the phone. There’s a lot of repairs required. It sure looks like I’ll have my hands full.”
He eyed me up and down, as if he wanted to have his hands full of me. “You have a plan for managing the numerous repairs? Contractors? Funding?”
I grinned back at him. The sun was in my eyes, and I really wished I’d had that cowgirl hat, but this look was probably better, anyway. Let him get a gander at my girl-next-door freckles and youthful appearance. Let him underestimate me. I knew he was thirty-five, so he might even play the daddy card if he got off on it.
“No, I’m just going to try to tackle things on my own.”
I saw calculation in his eyes. “Well, I might still be willing to take a piece of your land. You’ll probably be desperate for cash for the repairs. I know the county taxes haven’t been paid yet.”
Yeah, the asshole was probably hoping to buy the lien on them the moment it came up at auction. I’d have to let the real Natalie know she was in danger of losing the property for a few thousand bucks of unpaid taxes.
I tipped my head to the side. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll take it into consideration.” I made my voice soft and husky while I tried not to clench my hands into fists, ready to punch him in the face. What a dick.
The sultry tone worked. The hardest edge of him softened. “You probably don’t have your kitchen stocked yet or even the utilities turned on. How about I take you to dinner in town tonight? Show a little local hospitality.”
Markle considered himself a local. That was hilarious.
I feigned consideration, biting my lip. “Yeah, I guess that would be nice. I don’t have much in the house. But only if you promise not to try to wear me down on selling the place. As I told you before, it has a lot of sentimental value to me.”
“All right.” He scratched the back of his neck as if those words cost him. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
I glanced at Jack, who hadn’t said a word, then nodded. “Deal. I’ll see you then.”
I put a little promise in my voice but not too much. I didn’t want to have to screw the guy or kick him in the nuts on our first date. I was trying for an opening to be on his property and get to know his habits and schedule. Dinner was a warmup and a way in, which meant I could stop back again, especially if he thought he had a chance to get in my pants.
I left the way I came, knowing the men were watching me—most likely my ass—as I sauntered away.
All right, I was in.
First objective achieved.
Tonight I’d do my part to ingratiate myself to the target next door. After I got home, I would finish what I started. Not because I’d picture him to get off but because all the time I was taking in Markle, I was comparing him to Rob Wolf. I doubted Markle had a dick that ran down the inside of his thigh. My pussy clenched at the thought. Yeah, I’d be getting off later thinking about my sexier neighbor because I had a feeling after I got a guy like Wolf inside me, I’d be ruined for all others, including my dildo.
3
ROB
Boyd pulled up in his pickup truck and whistled. He might be my little brother, but I flipped him the bird through the upstairs window. I finished tucking my shirt in. I’d just showered and changed for the pack meeting.
It was the new moon, so a good time to discuss business or resolve any disputes. A time when wisdom prevailed instead of the hot-headedness and passion of the full moon. Especially mine. Every full moon was hell, my wolf pushing me to mate. I ran and ran hard. Thank fuck, I’d been able to run with Colton last time. He’d been worse off than me, pushing me almost past my endurance. It had helped. I could focus now, be the alpha the pack expected.