He finally looked up. “Yes?”
“What do you do for a living?” she asked.
“I teach people how to fight and how to become proficient with firearms.”
“Are you in the military?” That would be interesting if he was.
“I served in the US military for a while. Then two years ago, I moved to Canada to help out one of my cousins.”
That matched what Grayson had said.
“And you, Grayson?” Jenna asked.
“I own a software company.”
“Cool. What’s the name? Maybe I’ve heard of it,” Jenna said.
Good for Jenna. Paris had also done well for herself by not believing everything people told her.
“T—Toronto Solutions.”
Paris wondered why he’d hesitated.
“You know, Paris,” Jenna said. “Since you have the day off tomorrow, maybe Rider would be willing to give you some shooting lessons. You’re always saying a woman can’t be too prepared living around here.”
At the moment, she wanted to wring her friend’s neck. Sure, Paris wanted to be prepared should she find herself in a deadly situation, but she wasn’t sure being with Rider for a few hours would be smart. While her hormones were going crazy around him, too, it could simply be because she hadn’t been on a date since moving to Ames.
“I’d be happy to show you a few pointers,” Rider said. He lifted his chin as if he dared her to accept.
That pissed her off. “Sure. I own a small caliber firearm.”
“Great. What time tomorrow is good for you?”
She might as well get it over with. “How about I meet you in front of the bar at noon?”
One eyebrow lifted. If she read him right, he was impressed with her caution, though if he wanted to harm her, it wouldn’t take more than him shifting and then mauling her. A small shiver raced through her at that terrible thought. Paris hoped she wasn’t making a mistake, but she reminded herself of what Jenna always said: not all werewolves were bad.
* * *
“I’m proud of you,” Grayson said as he followed Rider into his motel room.
“Why?”
“You agreed to be with Paris for a few hours. That will test your willpower to the max.”
Rider spun around, wanting to wipe that smug look off of Grayson’s face. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t tell me you are that oblivious? I saw your eyes flash golden and the hair sprout on your hands the moment you sat down at the bar.”
The man was talking nonsense. “She’s a beautiful woman. It happens every time I’m near someone as stunning as Paris.”
Grayson stepped closer. “Seriously? What planet are you from?” He waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter. I know for a fact that she’s my mate. If you don’t want to share her with me, fine.”
Rider shook his head. It didn’t matter that they had shared a few women in the past. He pulled out a chair at the small table and sat down. “I’m only helping her out because she might be able to provide some useful information about what’s going on in the company.”
Grayson took the seat across from him. “The date tomorrow is purely job related?”
“Purely.”