"Yeah, especially considering just how enthusiastic you were once Mr. Wyatt here let us in on the secret of that great kiss you're packing. Gee, maybe we should bottle that stuff, Braden. It would sell better than the plastic Breed teeth. "
She was aware of Jonas watching the confrontation with interest. If she hadn't disliked him on sight, she would have certainly disliked him now. That, added to the anger rising inside her, wasn't helping her attitude in the least.
"Your mate has a smart mouth, Braden," Jonas commented softly. "You should work on correcting that. "
"Yeah, why don't I just do that for you. " Braden grunted as he watched her carefully.
"Excuse me boys, I'm still in the room here. " She waved her hand at them as she spoke. "The little wornan doesn't need to be spoken over. This Mating Heat or whatever the hell you want to call it hasn't fried my brain in the least. "
Braden and Jonas both directed fierce frowns toward her. It could have been cute, if she weren't so pissed off.
"You know, I think I pretty much have the basic information now. " She smiled tightly. "He wants me because his hormones are all jacked up, that's all. Hey, no biggie. Nature sucks, right?' She smiled brightly, holding the pain back. "Well, tell you what, Mr. Director of Breed Affairs. Just load your little golden boy right back up in one of those fancy little helicopters I hear you boys fly around in and transport him right back to your nice, secure little compound and see if you can't cure him of it. I'll do just fine on my own. Just like I always have. "
She was furious. She wasn't a damned hormone magnet, and she couldn't care less whether Braden liked the effects of some chemical reaction that was all his fault anyway. She hadn't asked him to mess with her life, and she would be damned if she would ask him to continue to be a part of it.
"Just like you always have?' Braden snapped back then, his own voice heating. "Hiding. Aren't you tired of hiding, Megan?"
"Actually, I think I am. " She inhaled roughly, facing the two men as she tilted her chin and glared back at them.
"But there's one thing you did teach me, Braden. That little shield of yours is right handy. Given enough time, I'm sure I can copy it. I'm nothing if not adaptable when I have to be. And I can adapt without you. "
He stared back at her as he crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes slowly narrowing as a hint of predatory calculation entered them.
"Don't dare me, sweetheart," he warned her, his voice soft.
"Dare you?'She shook her head as she retained the tight, sarcastic smile she had adopted. "I'm not daring you, sweetheart. I'm telling you. I didn't need you before you began this funky hormone stuff, and I sure don't need you now. "
"May I point out that the Mating Heat is harder on females than males. "
Jonas spoke up at that point, his voice curiously bland. "You may want to rethink that. "
"Did I ask for your opinion?'She turned and stomped toward the door. "If the two of you will excuse me now, I'll go see if I can repair some of the damage your inept humor has caused in this office. " She gripped the doorknob, turning back to scowl at Jonas. "One of these days, someone is going to play this game better than you do, Mr. Wyatt. And when it happens, I want a ringside seat. "
His lips tightened further as he glanced at Braden. "Your mate has a mean mouth. " He growled. "It could get her into trouble. "
"I believe it already has,'' she retorted in turn before jerking the door open and stalking into the hall. The hard reverberation of the slam of the door was an all-too-brief, satisfying sound as wood cracked against wood. And a muttered Breed curse was heard from the other side. Let them curse. As far as she was concerned, she'd had enough.
Braden stared at the door, his head tilted, eyes narrowed. She was pissed and hurt, and he couldn't blame her a bit. His thoughts and emotions had been too chaotic to allow her past his shields after that first instant rejection. He couldn't risk it; not yet.
"The hormonal surges inside her will only make her worse. " Jonas sighed, his tone more relaxed now.
Braden snorted. "Thanks for the warning. Just what I wanted, my woman ready to skin me alive. Thanks, Jonas. "
"I'm really hoping this Mating shit doesn't become a habit," Jonas said.
"This makes two damned good Enforcers I've lost to it. Tarek Jordan didn't resign due to injuries as his file states. The son of a bitch mated his neighbor. Can you believe that? Send a man on a mission and the next thing you know, he's Mating the little sexpot next door. Now this. " He shook his head with an edge of irritation.
"Worry more about why I shouldn't kick your ass for pissing her off," Braden growled, pushing his fingers through his hair as he breathed out roughly. "Damn, you could have at least tried a little tact here. "
Braden could only shake his head at that point. The Director of Breed Affairs was known for his manipulations and carefully calculated games. He wasn't known for his mercy or his compassion.
"Fine. You made sure my life was a little harder for the next few days. Surely that wasn't the only reason you came out here today?'He shrugged his shoulders restlessly, trying to forget the implication that sex could be coming. He was dying to touch Megan, to claim her, to mark her. Mating Heat be damned. She was his woman; he had just hoped to ease her into that fact.
"Not hardly. " Jonas moved to the desk, sitting on the edge of it casually as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"The printout definitely came from here; our little Coyote buddy assured us of that. He's alive, by the way. "
Braden arched his brow. He hadn't expected that.