Chapter 31 – Curious Eyes

David’s POV

I was about to open the door to Dominic’s office without knocking, like I always did, but one of his female secretary who has been giving me the green light, glared at me and I could only roll my eyes and superficially knock.

I opened the office door, half-expecting to find Dominic brooding over paperwork or barking orders at some poor assistant.

And what did I walk into?

What I didn’t expect was… that.

He was standing way too close to Mannie.

His hand was on the wall beside her face, his body boxing her in like she was prey he didn’t want to let go. Their faces were just inches apart. Her lips were parted, eyes wide. His gaze was locked on hers, sharp and burning.

Well now... what do we have here?

I leaned against the doorframe, a grin forming slowly on my lips.

“Oops,” I said with a lazy tone, lifting a brow. “Sorry for the intrusion. Don’t mind me. Enjoy yourselves.”

Mannie jumped like I’d thrown cold water on her. Her face turned so red it could’ve matched a traffic light. She spun and rushed past me without a word. Her heels clicked fast on the floor like she was escaping a crime scene.

I didn’t miss the way her hand trembled as she held her dress down.

I chuckled softly and walked into the office. Dominic had already turned his back, suddenly very interested in the papers on his desk.

“She was just delivering a file,” he said sharply, voice stiff.

“Uh-huh,” I said as I dragged a chair over and slumped into it. “Looked more like she was delivering a heart attack.”

He didn’t respond. Just flipped through a folder he wasn’t really reading.

I leaned back, lacing my fingers behind my head. “You know,” I said with a smirk, “I’ve seen you pissed off, serious, even charming on a rare full moon. But I’ve never seen you look at someone like that.”

He glared at me, his lips pressing into a hard line.

I raised both hands in mock surrender. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I didn’t plan it. I just walked in and saw some grade-A tension. Can’t blame a guy for enjoying the show.”

“Do you have a reason for being here,” he growled, “or are you here to gossip like a teenage girl?”

I grinned wider. “Oh, I came for work. But a little teasing never hurt anyone.”

He scowled harder, and I decided to drop it—for now.

I pulled out the documents I brought. “Let’s talk about the land project before you roast me alive.”

We got into it—plans, designs, timelines. I had just won the bid for a huge land site on the city’s edge, and Dominic’s company was my pick to develop it. We had goals to hit and ground to break. He was sharp as always, throwing numbers and corrections like daggers.

But he was off.

Way off.

He drummed his fingers more than usual. Frowned at nothing. Kept glancing toward the door like he expected Mannie to reappear.

And every time I mentioned the word “team,” his eyes got that weird look again.

I leaned forward slowly, eyeing him.

“Dom,” I said, watching him tug his pen apart and put it back together, “you okay?”

He didn’t answer.

I let the silence stretch, then added, “Maybe we should hit the bar tonight. You clearly need to loosen up.”

His fingers paused.

I could tell he wanted to say no.

But instead, he gave his tie a light tug, let out a low grunt, and nodded.

That was Dominic for ‘yes.’

I grinned. “Cool. I’ll pick a good spot. First round’s on me.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

Progress.

After we finished our meeting, I stood and stretched. “Alright, I’ll leave you to sulk in peace. I’m going to see if your secretary is still giving me the flirty eyes.”

No reply. Just a dismissive wave.

----

I stepped out of the office and immediately spotted the secretary who had been flirting with me for weeks. She straightened her blouse the moment she saw me and smiled, flashing her overly whitened teeth.

She straightened in her seat the moment she saw me. The way she smoothed her blouse and bit her lip? Yeah, she was definitely interested.

“Leaving already?” she asked sweetly, tilting her head just enough to let her earrings dangle.

“Not quite,” I said with a half-smile. “Just thought I’d drop by to check on my favorite part of this floor.”

She giggled, twirling her pen between her fingers. “You say that to all the girls, don’t you?”

“Only the pretty ones who pretend they’re not into me.”

She gave me a look. “Who says I’m pretending?”

Now that was a bold response.

I leaned closer, dropping my voice a notch. “You always smile at me like that?”

“Only when I think someone’s worth smiling at.”

She giggled, twirling her pen between her fingers. “You’re always so sweet, Mr. Devlin.”

“I try,” I said with a wink. “But don’t pretend you don’t enjoy the attention.”

She leaned forward slightly, her perfume wafting through the air like a flower garden on steroids. “Maybe I do. But are you sure you’re not just playing with me?”

“Playing?” I feigned innocence. “I’m a businessman, sweetheart. I don’t play unless I win.”

Her cheeks turned pink.

But just as I was about to continue this little game, I saw her.

Mannie.

She had just walked out of the elevator and was heading toward the opposite hallway. Her steps were quick. Her head was slightly down. She looked like she wanted to disappear.

My interest in the secretary vanished instantly.

“Excuse me,” I said quickly, cutting the secretary off mid-giggle.

Her face fell, but I didn’t care.

I had bigger fish to follow.

I hurried after Mannie.

“Wait!” I called, jogging a little.

She paused at the elevator. The doors were open. She had a clear chance to ignore me and leave. But after a second of hesitation, she stepped back and held the door for me.

Huh.

Interesting.

I walked in, smiling. “Thanks for not slamming it in my face.”

She didn’t respond. Just pressed her floor button and looked straight ahead.

Awkward silence filled the space. The air felt thick with tension.

I stepped a little closer—not enough to be creepy, but enough to catch her scent.

I tilted my head slightly, trying to sniff out something... unusual.

Mate’s mark?

Scent signature?

I didn’t know what exactly I was searching for. But there was something about her that made my wolf stir.

Before I could think twice, I leaned in a little too close.

“Do you mind?” she snapped.

My foot suddenly exploded in pain.

I yelped, hopping back. “Ow! You stepped on me!”

“Oops,” she said flatly. “Didn’t see you there.”

I stared at her, half in pain, half in awe.

“Well, that was uncalled for.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Try sniffing someone again and you’ll lose more than your toes.”

My eyes widened. “Feisty.”

She crossed her arms. “Do you always creep up on women in elevators, or am I just lucky today?”

I held up my hands. “I wasn’t creeping. I was… investigating.”

She gave me a dry look. “You’re not funny.”

“I think I am.”

“You’re not.”

I smirked. “You know, most women fall over themselves when I flirt. But you? You step on me.”

She tilted her head. “Maybe that’s why you’re so interested. You’re not used to rejection.”

I blinked.

Then laughed.

Out loud.

“Well damn. You’re different.”

“Thank God,” she said, rolling her eyes.

The elevator dinged. She stepped out before I could say anything else.

But I couldn’t help following her with my gaze. There was something about her that made my curiosity grow like wildfire.

She was nothing like Zarah. Nothing like the women in our circles.

And maybe that was what made her interesting.

No fear.

No fake smiles.

No soft words.

Just fire.

As the elevator doors closed, I leaned back and whispered to myself, “No wonder Dom’s losing it.”

Because if I was already this curious, I could only imagine what she was doing to him.