Now I just had to figure out a way to explain that to him.
7
Tanner
“He’s looking at me funny.”
“You sound like you’re five.” I could almost hear Wade shaking his head as he chuckled. “I’m assuming you mean Shane?”
“Yes.” Who else would it be?
“What do you mean byfunny?” There was still a hint of a smile in Wade’s voice even though he’d asked the question seriously. He wasn’t the type to brush off worries or fears, even if it sounded like ridiculous drama.
I sighed, feeling a little stupid. “I don’t know how to describe it. He’s always had this serious expression every time he looks at me. Normally he’s very…stoic, he doesn’t react to things. He’s always the epitome of professional, but the past couple of days…”
My voice trailed off as I flashed back to the way he’d stared at me, intent with just a hint of knowing in his eyes.
“How did he look at you?” Wade’s softly spoken question pushed the memory from my mind. Anyone else would have probably assumed the worst, but there was always something about Wade that had him looking on the bright side.
“Like he could see right into me and knew who I really was. It was…disturbing.” Well, not exactly, but I didn’t have the word to explain the rush of fear and hope that had flooded through me.
“Let’s assume he knows for the time being.” I hated what-ifs, but I appreciated Wade taking me seriously. “How would you describe his reaction? Aside from being worried about it, how did he make you feel?”
Insane.
“Honestly?”
Wade chuckled. “Yes.”
“For just a split second…” I had to think back to right before the shock had set in. “Wanted.”
I swallowed and continued before he could prompt me. I was an adult, just not always a very functional one. “He looked powerful and hungry. There was this knowledge in his eyes and it was like someone had seen me for the first time.”
“I remember that look.” Wade was quiet for a few long seconds. “Don’t pass it up, Tanner. With the club and how much work you’re doing on it, I’m not surprised he was able to put the pieces together. His reaction isn’t surprising, either.”
Wade chuckled, and in my head I pictured him leaning back and relaxing. “He’s a nice guy. No matter what he thinks about submission and dominant alphas in general.”
“Yeah.” I looked over toward the door to my office. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to storm out there or just hide until the end of the day. It was a toss-up at the moment.
Any other business decision and I wouldn’t have been questioning, I’d have just reacted.
“I hate being so conflicted over this.”
“Then don’t get tangled up in the possibilities.” Wade’s tone grew firmer. “At the very least, you can’t let this hang over your relationship with Shane. No matter whether it’s just a working relationship or if you consider him a friend, you have to address it.”
He was right.
I hated it when he was right, because it usually involved something I didn’t want to do to begin with. “If I have to get a new assistant, you’re going to owe me.”
“Deal.” More soft laughter rolled through the phone. “But if he bends you over the desk and spanks you in the office, you’re going to owe me.”
I snorted. “The chances of that are slim, so deal. And really, I’d expect this from Austin, not you.”
“Who do you think taught it to Austin?” Wade giggled like a teenager. “Go confront the alpha you want to submit to and see what he knows.”
“Confront to submit? I think your logic is questionable.”
“Questionable or not, I think I’m right, and I also think that’s what you wanted to hear.” Wade’s teasing comments held more than just a grain of truth.