Page 144 of Red Marked
She nods, her finger already back on the line she was reading. “You said I’d have to meet with Dr. Pryce. I want to have the answers ready before he asks me any questions.”
“You won’t meet with him until tomorrow. That’s officially your first day on the job.”
“Good. That gives me time.” She turns another page.
I head out with Magma.
Outside, the wind is coming in off the water and blowing sand across the deck. Magma and I take the steps down to the beach.
“Thanks again,” I say. “For all of it.”
He doesn’t answer right away. He has a look on his face that I don’t like.
“She’s very beautiful,” he says. “Seriously fucking sexy.”
“Hey. You shouldn’t be looking at females who are not your mate.”
“For you, asshole. Not for me.”
I roll my eyes. “For me…nope. If there’s more you want to say about Star, you can save it.”
“No, there isn’t more. You’re a grown-ass male. You can make decisions for yourself. But it would be good if you settled down and—”
I laugh. “You can stop right there, because it isn’t going to happen. I’m not the settling-down type. I never have been.”
“People change.”
“Not me.” I shake my head.
“You know you’re worthy of a female’s love, right?”
I groan. “I’ll speak with a therapist if I want this kind of advice. I know I’m worthy, thank you. I don’t want a white picket fence and all that bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit. It’s great. You deserve love, Flint. Just because your mo—”
“Stop right there. We’re not having this conversation.” I kick at a clump of seaweed. “It isn’t like that with Star. We’re going back to the rehab center. She’s officially my employee now.”
“So the two of you did get to know each other quite well over the last few days, stuck in that hotel room together.”
“None of that matters. She’s my staff member now.” It comes out hard.
“Which means she’s out of bounds.” He folds his arms. “Very fucking convenient.”
“It’s not convenient. It’s how it is. Leave it alone. Don’t you have a mate to get back to?”
“I do, and I’m leaving now.” He frowns. “Did you manage to contact Ridge?”
Shit!
Fuck!
“I can tell by your face that you haven’t. I can understand why that is.” He smiles, and it’s the same smile Atlas gave me the other day.
“Don’t! I’ve had a lot on my plate.”
“You sure have.” He grins, nodding. Then the grin drops away. “Call him already, you asshole. Get your mind out of that Red’s panties.”
“Her name is Star. I swear to god, you’re embarrassing. I have Red friends now. I—”
