Force of Temptation

Kim asked shakily, “Why is she here?” There was an element of panic in her scent.

He growled. “Are you not hearing me?”

“I want to know why she’s here. Let me guess, she brought drugs.”

Harley said, “Jesse, introduce me to your . . . your . . . I’d say ‘friend,’ but you made it clear she’s not one.” Harley actually didn’t sound all that interested.

Kim balled her hands up into little fists. “You know who I am.”

Harley’s brow creased. “Nope.”

“You do, you remember me.”

Shaking her head, Harley pursed her lips. “I really don’t.”

Jesse sensed that she wasn’t lying. But, see, that was another thing about Harley. Unless you made an impression, it was very unlikely that she’d remember you. Not because she was forgetful, but because it meant you just hadn’t registered on her radar. “This is Bracken’s sister.”

Harley cocked her head, still frowning. “Really?”

And that just pissed Kim off even more. “Stop playing with me!”

“Did you do something to your hair? I remember it being long and curly.”

Jesse’s mouth twitched. “That’s Bracken’s other sister, Ashley.”

“Oh, right. Well, I remember her.” Harley then went back to her meal.

Before Kim could stupidly lunge at her, Jesse snapped, “Out.”

Kim backed up as he moved forward, all the while scowling. “You can’t seriously have her on your territory! After what she did to Mia—”

“Out.”

“You didn’t tell me why she’s here!”

“I don’t fucking have to!” He moved faster, making her stumble out of the doorway and onto the porch. “Never again come back here, Kim. Never. Again.” Slamming the door shut, Jesse took a deep breath and then returned to the table. Harley was looking at her plate, cutting into her sausage, and her shoulders were shaking. Sitting, he frowned. “What’s funny?”

Harley looked up, lips curved. “It’s just that I know how frustrated you get by people who think they can manipulate you.” He’d been that way even as a teenager. She pointed at the door. “And that girl is trying her best to do so. Is she part of the pack now?”

“No, she’s visiting with Bracken’s mom.”

“And she homed in on you, didn’t she? I’m not surprised.” But Harley didn’t like it. Her cat wanted to carve up her face.

“Why?”

“I think she might be what I’d call a fixer. A female who goes for guys who seem broken and then tries to patch them up.”

Whatever the case . . . “I don’t want her.”

“Yeah, I sensed that.”

“Why won’t she?” He had been perfectly direct with her since minute one.

“You heard her—she thinks you keep people at arm’s length. As such, she’s not taking your rejection personally. She doesn’t believe it’s about her at all.”

“Why aren’t you upset? If a guy showed up at your door, I’d be pissed as all hell.”

Harley sobered. “I don’t like that she turned up here—I’ll admit that.” For a moment, she’d thought she’d been wrong about him not having a bed buddy. “But I don’t see a reason to take that out on you. It’s not like she’s your girlfriend or even your ex. You didn’t give her any encouragement. You didn’t invite her here and you made it clear that she wasn’t welcome. You haven’t done anything wrong.” She frowned when he just stared at her. “What?”

He took Harley’s hand. “You know one thing I’ve always liked about you? There’s a practicality to your unpredictability. It means that although I don’t always know how you’ll respond to something, I know you won’t make a big deal out of utter bullshit. There’s no drama with you.”

Yeah, well, Harley was determined to be nothing like her mother. “That doesn’t mean I don’t have my moments.”

“Oh, you bristle and snarl, and you can be snippy and short with me—all of which I perversely enjoy. But you don’t lose your shit in a spectacular fashion unless there’s a very good reason.” He needed that in a mate, because he didn’t have the time or tolerance for drama. A knock at the door made him grit his teeth. He pushed to his feet. “That better not be her again.”

Harley clamped her lips together in an effort to hide her amusement. She had a feeling it didn’t work, because he growled as he left the table.

Opening the front door, Jesse found a number of his pack mates. As they entered, Jesse didn’t fail to notice Harley tense, but she didn’t lower her eyes. Good girl. In fact, she slowly straightened and lifted her mug, gaze locked on the visitors. She looked both casual and ready to pounce at the same time. Her dominance was totally evident in that moment.

“Harley, you’ve already met my Alphas, my Betas, and Eli,” said Jesse as he returned to the table. “Over there is Roni and Marcus, a mated pair who are also enforcers. Roni also happens to be Nick and Eli’s sister.”

Harley exchanged a respectful nod with the tall, ash-blonde female. Just one look into those green eyes was enough to tell Harley that she was facing someone who was absolutely lethal. Roni’s dark and seriously hot mate was even taller than she was. Going by the laugh lines on his face, she figured he was the kind of guy who smiled a lot. Right then, as his electric-blue eyes regarded Harley with both wariness and curiosity, he wasn’t smiling.