Seducing Serenity

Chapter 8

Gabriel

After dropping Serenity off at HR, I went straight to Lucas's office. He was leaving later in the day on vacation and wouldn't be back for two weeks, so I needed to unload on him before he left.

He looked up as I walked in, saw the look on my face, and stopped what he was doing. "Are you all right?" he asked, "You look like you're about to explode."

I sat down and ran my hands through my hair, not caring if it ended up a mess. "I don't know how I'm going to do this. I can't stand being close to her and not being able to touch her, but if I touch her, I'll want to do more than is appropriate in a business situation, and that would freak her out!"

"Dude, just tell her already. Half the staff are werewolves, and a lot of the human staff know about us. You won't be able to keep it secret for long, anyway. I told you not to hire her for this exact reason."

"Not helpful, Lucas. You've seen what happens if you spring this on people before they're ready. How many good employees have we lost because we didn't handle things the right way and they freaked?" I was honestly surprised at how many humans didn't know we existed and didn't want to believe it when we showed them.

"That was before all those Twilight books and movies made us cool." He laughed. "But seriously. You said you think she feels something happening between the two of you. Focus on that and get her to see it. If you don't, and this continues, you know what will happen."

"I know. I'll only be able to control myself for so long. I just don't want to chase her away. It took me long enough to find her." I sighed and wondered if I'd made things worse by hiring her. Maybe if I hadn't, I just could've contacted her and met her outside of the office. But why would she want to date a guy who didn't think she was worth hiring?

Lucas stood and started getting his things together. "I have a flight to catch. I'm out of here for two weeks, and hopefully I'll have found my mate by the time I get back."

It was my turn to laugh. "Do you really think you'll find her on a beach in the Bahamas? Why don't you spend your time traveling to other packs to see if you can find her?"

He sighed. "You know I've been pretty much everywhere. At this point, if I meet someone on the beach in the Bahamas who interests me, I just might pick a mate rather than waiting any longer. I'm not getting any younger and I'm ready to get serious with someone. I'm tired of short-term relationships."

"I hear you on that. I just can't believe she's so close and I still feel like I'm waiting." I knew I sounded like I was whining, and sure enough, Lucas called me out on it.

"At least you know she exists! Quit your bitching and get on with it already! If you don't want to wait, claim her and hope she comes around, or wait and torture yourself. At least you have the choice! Some of us are still hoping there's someone out there."

"I know, I know. I didn't mean to be a jerk. I'll figure it out. In the meantime, you have fun and stay out of jail."

"No promises," he laughed as he headed out the door, slapping me on the back as he passed me, "and I'll call you if I need bail money!"

"Blocking your number now." I joked as I followed him out the door. Lucas and I had been friends since middle school when he moved to town with his family. I don't remember what it was that made us friends, but we'd been inseparable since. He'd gone to a different college since he'd originally wanted to be a lawyer, but his father had gotten sick halfway through and he'd come back here to help. He'd died a few years ago. His mother had been his father's second chance mate and so he'd been much older when Lucas was born. The loss had thrown Lucas for a loop, and he struggled until I'd convinced him to work for my uncle at Kingston Enterprises. He'd done well and worked his way up to partner. I was proud to call him my friend. I knew he'd always have my back, and I'd always have his.

I looked at my watch and realized it was almost time for lunch with Serenity. I'd ordered salads and sandwiches to be delivered. I'd ordered four different kinds because I had no clue what she liked. I walked the short distance to my office and saw everything had already been delivered. Lillian gave me a questioning look.

"What?" I asked, grinning, "Can't I welcome our new employee with a nice lunch?"

Lillian had worked for the company for over twenty years and had watched me grow up. She knew when I was up to something. "Can I offer you some advice?" She asked.

"Of course, you know I value your opinion."

"Tell her soon, or she'll feel deceived." She held my gaze, making sure I got the message, and then went back to her work.

Everyone seemed to have an opinion on how I should handle the situation, and Serenity hadn't even been here a full day. I knew they were probably right; I shouldn't wait. I just didn't know how to broach the subject. As I walked to Serenity's office, I ran some options through my head. I could be direct, telling her I am a werewolf and that she's my mate. That seemed sure to have her heading for the nearest exit. I could be indirect and ask her how she feels about the supernatural. Maybe ask her if she believes in things like werewolves, vampires, and witches and go from there.

Both options felt wrong. I just wanted her to know. To feel it and want me as much as I wanted her. I thought about just pulling her into my arms and kissing her, but that was likely to get me slapped, or worse, it would be Lucas bailing me out of jail.

I reached her office door and knocked. She invited me in and when I opened the door and saw her sitting behind her desk, the option of dragging her into my arms seemed the most likely. Her head was bent over a manual she was reading, and her hair dark was falling over her shoulder. I imagined running my hands through it while kissing her.

She cleared her throat, bringing me reluctantly back to reality.