The Werewolf Wears Prada (Entangled Covet) (San Francisco Wolf Pack) (7 page)

“Oh shit, here it comes.”

“We’re volunteering at an animal shelter. We’ll be helping with the dogs.”

“If working with dogs for one afternoon will rebuild my image,” he mumbled as he stood and moved toward the exit, “I’d be golden by now. I’m already surrounded by dogs all damn day.”

Funny, but besides the wolf picture hanging in his office, Melina hadn’t noticed signs of a dog being in the Dean, Hyde, & Hammer building.

Chapter Nine

Late Wednesday afternoon, Melina strode toward Forever Pets, an animal shelter near the Presidio. She loved the city when it smelled this way—like rain-washed asphalt. The mist hanging around for the last few days had finally turned into a dusting rainstorm that washed away the dirt and grime in the streets.

Sometime during the night—when she’d tossed and turned thinking of Hayden—Melina came to a few conclusions regarding her article. She wouldn’t mention his stunning good looks since most of the articles floating around focused on it; she’d give readers something different. She’d leave out how many girlfriends Hayden had, and instead focus on one or two serious ones.

But when she woke up this morning, cued up her computer, and searched Google for Hayden’s longer conquests, not a single serious relationship came up. It seemed as if Hayden had never dated anyone longer than a few weeks.

It almost seemed as if he kept everyone at arm’s length on purpose.

His earlier words rang through her head.

I don’t want any mention of my home.

Family and close friends are not to be discussed.

What did he have to hide?

Her thoughts were still whirling when she passed a magazine stand positioned on the edge of the sidewalk. The entertainment magazine on the top right caught her eye.

Millionaire Snubs Homeless.

A picture of Hayden striding down the street in front of Vision Amore was plastered to the front page. The homeless man in front of the shop was in the bottom corner, holding out his hand for spare change. The magazine had clearly Photoshopped Hayden’s face from a photograph in his past. He appeared to be screaming at the homeless man.

Melina’s stomach wrenched.

That wasn’t how it’d happened at all.

She’d witnessed the scene firsthand.

He’d given the homeless man money. He’d shaken his hand and promised to send him food. She’d heard him right, hadn’t she?

Disgusted with the lies plastered in front of her, Melina snatched a copy, paid, and then marched away from the stand. When she pushed through the doors leading to Forever Pets and approached the front counter, her blood was still boiling hot.

“Good afternoon,” she said to the brunette at the front. “I made an appointment to volunteer today at four. I’m still waiting for someone else to arrive, but if you’d like me to get started with the dogs, I can—”

“You’re with Hayden Dean, right?” The woman blushed. “He’s already here.”

“He is?”

She nodded. “Around back.”

After showing her ID and signing in, Melina weaved around the front counter, clutching the magazine in her fist. She passed through a set of doors leading to the veterinary section of the shelter, and continued down along a long hallway that smelled of wet fur. As she turned right and passed through another set of doors, a jerky symphony of barks and howls hit her ears.

She reached the canine section of the shelter and her heart tingled with warmth.

She loved working with the dogs.

She volunteered on a weekly basis, taking each one out to play, and cleaning out their kennels. There was something soothing, almost rejuvenating about spending time with the animals. Some were broken, scared, and skittish. Others were loud and excitable, needing more time to run.

All it took was quality time with each of them, and they loosened up, opened up, and trusted her to care for them.

She wouldn’t hurt them. They simply had to come to that conclusion on their own.

A few of the dogs wouldn’t trust Hayden at first—having never met him before—but he could wash out the kennels while she took those timid few out to play.

As she pushed through the final door leading to the unit, she stopped and held it open with her palm.

Hayden stood against the back wall, his arms folded over his chest. He wore dark-washed jeans and a black T-shirt pulled tight over his chest. His jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes were focused far off. He almost looked…scared. Or maybe lost in thought. He couldn’t be afraid; what reason would he have to fear the dogs? They were in kennels, for crying out loud. It wasn’t like the shelter housed Cujo.

“Hayden,” she said, letting the door close behind her. “What are you doing?’

Louder and sharper barks echoed off the cement walls as the dogs went wild.

Hayden’s eyes shifted, and zoned out. As if he was listening to something in the distance rather than her words. He didn’t answer, though he stared at her mouth.

“Hayden?”

Still, he stared, his expression a blank slate.

She approached him, and then smacked him in the shoulder with the end of the rolled up magazine. “Hello?”

With a hard shake of his head, Hayden snapped out of his daze. “There are too many of them,” he hollered. “They’re too loud!”

And then the strangest thing happened.

The dogs quieted. One by one. As if he’d ordered them to.

She spun, watching each of the dogs in the kennels simmer down. And then nothing. Golden silence.

“God,” he said, rubbing his hands over his ears, “that’s better.”

She squinted, staring at each of the dogs. “What the hell happened? I’ve never seen them do that before.”

“Must’ve gotten all the barks out of their system.” He shrugged. “What’d you hit me with?”

“Oh.” She held up the magazine, though she kept her eye on the dogs and their stranger-than-stranger behavior. “I bought this on the street.”

He took the magazine from her and read.

“That’s par.” He plopped down on the bench seat along the wall. “I’m surprised they didn’t say I stole his blanket while I was at it.”

“How can you be so calm?”

“This is normal, Melina. Same thing every day. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine.” One of the dogs in the back yelped. Hayden leaned around Melina, and seemed to zone far off again. “Can’t you look at me when I’m talking to you? Can’t you stay focused for one second? This is serious.”

He sat straight again, and the dog quieted.

“This is the last thing we need right now. Can’t your law firm sue the magazine for misrepresentation or something?’

“And dump a ton of money into the suit? Settle out of court?” He rested his head back onto the cement wall and sighed. “How long would it take for another magazine to print another, equally-hideous story about me? It’d be like Whack-a-Mole. Smack one, only to have another two rear their ugly heads.”

“So you’re just going to let it go?”

He exhaled heavily. “As long as my closest friends and family know me—the real me—I don’t care what they assume from the outside looking in.”

Could he really be that level-headed?

He was a businessman, and maybe he had to be composed about rumors like these. But he seemed so damn confident. As if nothing got under his skin.

If someone printed an article like that about her, she’d flip.

“So what do we do first?” he said, tossing the magazine in the trash.

“I have to love on Minnie over here. She’s my new favorite.” From the small kennels on the right, the tiny pup yelped. It was the squeakiest, sweetest sound, and broke Melina’s heart every time. She strode over, unlocked the gate, and picked up the Golden Retriever puppy. She held Minnie against her chest and spun around. “Here she is. Isn’t she the sweetest?”

Hayden eyed the pup, but didn’t make a move.

“She was rescued from an apartment in Glen Park last week.” She stroked the dog’s fur as she burrowed her head in Melina’s sweater. “The owner had more dogs than they could care for. Someone in the building finally reported the conditions to the authorities when they realized the owners had moved out, leaving the animals to fend for themselves.”

“That’s terrible.” He stood, and moved in front of her.

“Tell me about it. Minnie refuses to eat. The shelter has run all kinds of tests on her, and has tried all kinds of different food, but nothing’s working.” She nuzzled the dog against her. “She’s losing weight fast. If she doesn’t eat soon, they don’t think she’ll make it. Here.” She held Minnie out for Hayden to take. “If you wouldn’t mind, I want to get a picture of you for the article.”

He blanched. “What?”

“Hold her.” She cupped Minnie in her hand and moved closer. Hayden backed away. “It’ll only be for a second. I want to mention your charity and volunteer work. I think a picture with Minnie would really win people over.”

Shaking his head, Hayden thrust his hands into his pockets. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Melina couldn’t help but laugh. “She’s not going to bite.”

He lifted his chin. “I’m not afraid of her biting me.”

“Then what?”

He exhaled heavily and then searched right and left, as if looking for an escape route.

“Nothing,” he said. “Never mind. Hand her over.”

He took Minnie in his hands and held her against his chest. The dog gazed up to stare at his face, her tiny black eyes blinking innocently. His touch was gentle, his fingers softly raking through Minnie’s silky-soft fur.

His behavior was so starkly contrasted from the guy she’d kissed in his office—all possession and anger and intensity—that she went dizzy.

He was hot and cold. A womanizer in the magazines but someone else when he was with her. A brash businessman, yet someone who could cuddle up next to a puppy.

“Okay, that’s…perfect.” Melina took out her phone and snapped a few shots.

The dog quivered and shook, whimpering in his arms.

Melina took a handful of other pictures, in case the first few didn’t turn out.

And then Hayden leaned down and whispered something into the dog’s ear. Minnie looked up at him again. Although it was the craziest thought, she could’ve sworn the dog nodded, and then bowed her head into Hayden’s hand. He felt along her neck, right under her jawbone, and around the back.

“Have the vet do a biopsy on her lymph nodes,” he said simply, and then he handed Minnie back.

Chapter Ten

Hayden hadn’t wanted to hold the Golden Retriever yesterday at the shelter. What if Melina picked up the connection he had with canines? Would she know he could hear them? Understand them?

Once the dog trusted him enough to relax in his hands, he knew he had to do something about her pain. If the vets at the shelter didn’t know what was wrong, why not guide them in the right direction?

After they’d finished their volunteer duties at Forever Pets—washing out the kennels and refilling their food and water—Hayden had the company limo pick them up and drop her off at her place. He ached to go with her. Take her to dinner. Wine and dine her the way he did the other women who’d come into his life.

Business only.

The article hanging over their heads was a constant reminder that their time together was limited. And every time he thought about it, something pinched in his side.

She’s better off away from you
.

Even as he thought the words, they felt hollow.

When their Thursday afternoon appointment with Ruby crept upon him, Hayden directed his driver into Union Square. He’d never actually shopped there since it’d always been easier to have tailors measure him in the office, and then deliver his clothes. Saks Men was a pleasant surprise, however. Sparse shelves. Light paint. Dim lights. Wood accents. Every tie, every pair of shoes, had the smell of money.

Ruby had texted, stating she’d be a few minutes late, but to get started with Armani.

When Hayden walked in, Melina was waiting in the middle of the store with a pensive expression on her face. Her mouth was pulled down into a frown, and her eyebrows crinkled together.

“What’s wrong?” He checked his watch. “I’m not late.”

“How’d you know about Minnie’s lymph nodes?”

Shit.

“It was a lucky guess.” He approached a Saks assistant before she could probe further. “I need a tuxedo for an event this weekend. I was told to start with Armani.”

Nodding in agreement, the assistant mumbled something about Hayden’s stature, the estimated breadth of his shoulders, his inseam, and then disappeared around a half-wall sectioning off the store.

“Are you a dog whisperer or something?” Melina asked, suddenly at his side.

He could communicate with canines. Not every breed, and not every animal, but he’d heard Minnie loud and clear. Her throat hurt. Her neck felt puffy and swollen. She wanted to eat, but couldn’t.

He laughed at Melina’s comparison of him to the dog whisperer, though she wasn’t far off. “I told you, it was a lucky guess.”

She tapped the toe of her shoe against the dark wood floor. “The vet ordered an emergency biopsy. Results came back earlier. It’s Lymphoma, but they expect the treatment will be successful.”

Relief sang through him. He hadn’t been too attached to Minnie, but he’d wanted the tiny animal to be well.

“If that’s a good thing,” he said, studying a rack of ties, “why are you staring at me as if you want to kill me?”

“Because you act aloof, jumping from woman to woman, party to party, as if you don’t care about anyone or anything. And then you give money to the homeless guy and save one of my favorite dogs at the shelter. Do you have split personalities?”

He chuckled into a belly laugh. “You think I have a disorder?”

“No, not really.” She moved in front of the rack so he’d have to look at her. She’d pulled her dark hair into a ponytail today. It emphasized the plumpness of her bottom lip and the soft pink tint in her cheeks. “I just don’t understand why every article that
Celeb Crush
has ever run on you has been focused on your yacht, sports cars, dating record, club appearances, yada yada. But beyond all that, there’s more. There’s surprising…
depth
. But it’s like you only show it to who you want to, and only at certain times. The Hayden I met at Starbucks, the one at the shelter, and the one here with me now are different than the Hayden you show to the public.”

“Are you just now realizing that you can’t judge a book by its cover?”

“That’s not it. I simply don’t understand why you don’t care more about the image that’s out there for the world to see.” She plucked a slim black tie from a hook and handed it to him. “It seems like you don’t mind if your reputation is dragged through the gutter.”

“Maybe the stories they create are better than the real thing.”

“Better,” she said, kinking her head to the side, “or safer.”

He should’ve left it alone. He should’ve shut his mouth.

The Saks assistant snapped for Hayden to meet him in the back of the store. He did as he was instructed—begrudgingly thanks to the dog-like command—and disappeared behind a black dressing-room curtain. At least he didn’t have to finish their conversation. As the assistant helped him into a classic one-button tuxedo, Ruby’s voice rang through the store.

“I’m here!” she bellowed. “So sorry I’m late. I ran into someone outside who said he was looking for Hayden. We got to talking about—oh, I won’t bother you with that. Is Hayden back there somewhere?”

She’d run into someone outside?

Someone who knew to find Hayden here?

He’d been followed.

With a growl, Hayden peeled apart the curtains and charged into the center of the store.

Melina gasped, averting her eyes. Ruby’s red lips pulled into a devious smile. And Gabriel strode around the tie rack.

“Hey, boss.” He nodded toward Hayden’s lower half. “Nice pants.”

Hayden glanced down. He’d only been partially dressed when the protective streak had pulsed through him. His pants were slung low on his hips, unzipped and unbuttoned. Black boxers peeked from beneath the hanging flaps of his slacks. And gooseflesh pebbled over his bare chest.

“Now
that’s
a tuxedo,” Ruby said, planting her hands on her hips.

Melina seemed to stiffen, and glanced at Hayden out of the corner of her eye.

Yeah baby, get an eyeful.

He flexed a chest muscle, and then immediately chastised himself for being such a douche. “What are you doing here, Gabriel?”

As he joined the group outside the dressing room, Hayden fastened his pants and stretched out his arms. The assistant helped him into his shirt.

“This came for you at the office,” Gabriel said, holding out an envelope. “It says ‘urgent.’ After the meeting we had the other day, I thought it best I bring it to you personally. Just in case it has something to do with—”

“Got it, Gabriel. Thank you.” Hayden took the envelope and tore through the upper seam. “It’s only tickets for Saturday.”

“Thank God,” Gabriel breathed.

“What’s Saturday?” Melina piped up.

His gaze locked with hers. “Worried I’m going to go out, get hammered, and do something stupid that’ll land on the front page?”

“Someone’s got to care about those things.”

“That someone is usually me.” Gabriel extended a hand to Melina. When she took it, he flipped her hand around and kissed the back. “I’m Gabriel Park. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rae. Hayden has told me so much about you.”

“He has?”

Hayden ground his back teeth together. He’d told Gabriel about Melina, but he’d left out the one thing that mattered most: she was
his
by fate’s design
.
If his secondary had known that fact, he might’ve refrained from kissing her hand. Not only was it disrespectful, but—
damn it, wasn’t that enough?

Why’d Fate match him with a non-shifter anyway? On what planet would their relationship ever work? Not that they had a relationship. But if they did…

“Of course your name has come up,” Hayden offered before assumptions could be made. “Gabriel is my second-in-command, I suppose you could say. He worries about the pesky details of my life so I don’t have to.”

She flinched when he said “pesky” as if he were talking about her.

But the only thing pesky about Melina was the fact he couldn’t get her out of his mind. If only he could tell her that…

“Anyway,” he said, “when it comes to this Saturday, I won’t need either of you. The craziest thing that’ll happen at the aquarium is I might have too many drinks and sponsor a stingray. It might not be as cute and cuddly as a wolf, but it still has bite.”

Smirking, Melina shot him a playful glare. “Everyone’s a comedian.”

“You two should go together,” Ruby interrupted, perching on the edge of the round leather seat next to Melina. “She could make sure you don’t tarnish that golden reputation by saying something stupid.”

“Golden reputation?” Melina’s eyes went wide. “Hayden? Um. No.”

Gabriel coughed. “If that’s the plan, Miss Rae better hang around 24-7.”

Hayden repressed a growl.

“That’s not a good idea.” Melina finally detached her gaze from his and shook her head. “There’s no way I could be Hayden’s date. If the tabloids see him with me, someone they’ve never seen before, I’ll be labeled as another ‘Dean Girl’ and that’s not happening in my lifetime.”

Sharp, burning sensations pinched Hayden’s gut. He rubbed a hand over his stomach, but couldn’t soothe away the pain.
Odd
. Felt like he’d been punched.

“I’m holding out to be a James Bond Girl,” Melina went on.

Ah, there was the humor. That spark he’d come to like so much.

She was sexy as hell. Intelligent and funny.

The woman was a dream.

Not my dream, not my dream, not my dream.

“It wouldn’t have worked out anyway. I already have a date.” All eyes turned Hayden’s way. Melina seemed to stare through him, her eyes sparking with curiosity. “She’s a friend of the family and works for the aquarium. Seemed like a good fit. I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.”

Gabriel sat to Melina’s left and leaned in close. “Don’t believe a word that man says. I’ve known him my whole life, and he’s never been a Boy Scout.”

“Well I must be ahead of the curve. I’ve only known him a year, and I already know better than to believe anything he says.” Her lips twisted in that playful, teasing way that tied him in knots.

There was nothing playful about the jealous thorn in Hayden’s side. Why’d Gabriel have to sit right next to Melina when there were perfectly suitable chairs in the corners of the room? And why’d he have to lean so close to her shoulder when he talked to her, as if he was telling her a secret?

As the Saks assistant finished adjusting the coat over Hayden’s shoulders, Ruby requested he bring over a white shawl collar single button dinner coat, and a bunch of other items he didn’t care to think about. As long as the new threads fit him comfortably, he was good.

“Why doesn’t Melina go with me?” Gabriel said. “I still need a date.”

This time, all eyes turned to Melina.

And it was a good thing, too. That way, no one saw the pissed-off glare Hayden shot his “trusted” secondary.

…

Melina could barely breathe as Hayden stood in front of her in that Armani suit. His broad shoulders filled up that tuxedo as if it’d been sewn for him. Totally fine. GQ material. Mmm-hmm.

Distance.

God,
she’d just licked drool off her lips.

But when Tall, Dark, and Handsome smiled her way, and asked her out—had she heard him right?—Hayden disappeared. Only for a second. She turned toward Gabriel and examined him for the first time. He wore a Calvin Klein suit as slick and black as his hair, and a midnight-blue tie that complemented his sapphire eyes.

He was definitely gorgeous, but didn’t have the kind of sex appeal that seeped from Hayden’s pores.

“I didn’t know you got an invite.” Hayden’s voice was so deep and raspy, it vibrated the floor under Melina’s feet.

Gabriel didn’t seem to notice. He pulled his own envelope out of his inner coat pocket and grinned. “Two complimentary tickets from the company. I wasn’t going to attend, but if you already have a date, and Melina doesn’t have a ticket, why not?”

“Yeah,” Hayden breathed. “Why not…”

“Perfect!” Ruby clapped, and held her hands over her heart. “Ah, to be young and in love again.”

“I don’t know who you’re referring to,” Hayden said, “but nobody here is in love.”

“Not yet, maybe,” she said, coming to stand beside him. “But soon.”

“So?” Gabriel lightly bumped Melina in the shoulder. “What do you think?”

Although it seemed absolutely ridiculous, the idea of getting glammed up for a night out thrilled her.

“I don’t see the harm in it.” She raised her gaze to meet Hayden’s. Damn, if there wasn’t fire burning in those depths. “Our relationship is business-only, right?”

Say no. Say you want me for yourself. Don’t let me go with your friend.

His eyes narrowed and his lips pressed into a hard, white line. “Right.”

She understood completely now. He was still undecided when it came to her, and he always would be. He wanted to kiss her, yet push her away. Tease her and play with her emotions. Going to the benefit with Gabriel was out of the question, but he didn’t want to take her himself.

To hell with him.

She deserved someone who would want to stand at her side, and wouldn’t be able to handle the thought of another man taking her out.

She deserved better.

“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” she said, and then turned her attention toward Gabriel. “I’d love to go with you.”