Chapter 3: Zoey

I felt Jericho's eyes following me as I worked. It was a little unnerving, but I ignored it. I was used to being stared at. Plus, I had a job to do, and I was gonna do it to the best of my ability. I felt Sasha come up beside me where I was clearing a table. 

"Hey girl. Get a load of the eye candy by the door." She nudged me and giggled. "He can't seem to stop looking at your ass. Bend over more often with your ass in his direction. I was closer to him a minute ago and those sexy eyes got hot when you picked up those cups. I swear he even growled. Work that ass girl, and get laid by the hottie tonight."

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "I don't mind driving someone crazy but I'm so not getting laid tonight. I don't need the headache of sleeping with the client. That's Jericho Williams, COO of Silver Synergies."

"Damn girl. You and your principles. I don't think I've seen you with any guy since you started working here six months ago. And I know you don't go for the girls since you turned Kiki down and she's one sexy lady. So, what gives? Why not live a little, just for one night. Let go and have some fun. You need it."

I gave her a sad look. "I had my heart broken beyond repair by the last guy I was with. I thought he was the one, my…" I paused to try to come up with a comparison for true mate for her, "soulmate. But he rejected me for my foster sister. I just couldn't stay there and see them together. It didn't help he turned into a sadistic asshole that loved to rub in my face that I wasn't good enough. And my foster sister LOVED to flaunt that she took my guy away from me."

I heard a soft angry growl from the direction of the doorway. Shit, I forgot about shifter hearing. Now he knows I was rejected by my mate, unwanted, and a loser. Sasha may not have known exactly what I meant, but Jericho certainly did. Great. Now all three of them would know how worthless I was.

"No shit?! No wonder you swore off men. I don't blame ya. Well, let me know if you ever want to dip back into the dick pool. I got some hot guys I know that're perfect for fucking your brains out, but no strings attached, and they're really nice to boot.  They can help scratch that itch whenever you want and make you feel like a sex kitten while they do it. They're even willing to do cuddles after if you want it."

  I giggled and I felt Jericho's gaze boring into my back at the mention of me fucking someone. Why would he care about who I was or wasn't sleeping with? I mentally shrugged. Not my problem. I've got enough to worry about without adding trying to figure that one out.

"I'll keep that in mind. Who knows, I might take you up on it someday. Now let's get this finished so we can go home, and you can get you some from your man."

"I heard that. He's in for a wild night. There was WAY too much eye candy here tonight. Including our three sexy AF clients." 

She gave me a wink and did a little wiggle and bounced away. I smiled fondly as I saw her picking up more plates. Sasha was my first ever friend and I loved that girl. My heart broke knowing I was likely gonna have to leave here without saying goodbye. I felt tears in my eyes and quickly looked back down at the floor and continued to pick up trash from the tables. I never let anyone close since my heart was left in tatters. The pain of that rejection never faded, and it just reminded me that I wasn't someone people could love. That I was lacking. A tear fell to the table as I remembered how I was treated by the pack. How everyone always turned away from me, not being worth their time or attention. I wiped my eyes and glanced up at Jericho. He gazed at me with a concerned look, I guess scenting my sadness. I looked away and went back to cleaning.

  And just like that, we were done. But then, our company was known for being efficient. 

"Do you need a lift home?"

I looked over at Sasha. "Nah, I got one coming already. You go on home. Enjoy your sexy family time and your weekend. See ya Monday?"

"You know it. Alright then. See ya girly.  Love ya!"

I waved and grinned. "Love ya too."

I watched as everyone else left. With a heavy heart, I turned to Jericho and walked to his side as I pulled my hair free of the bun it had been in all night. If I was going to die, I didn't want my hair stuck in a tight ass bun. He eyes widened and he inhaled sharply as my long hair fell down my back past my ass almost to my knees in a silvery curtain. I had been growing my hair long for a few years. Luckily it wasn't something my old pack tried to take from me. Because of the color they felt it marked me as strange.

"Shit…. we are so in trouble," I heard Jericho whisper as I stepped closer. 

I tilted my head at him and studied him curiously. He had dirty blonde hair that was longer on the top than the sides and he had that one curl that kept falling onto his face. My hands itched to brush it back. He had a slender yet powerful build. But Goddess, he was tall. He had to be around 6'2" or 6'3". His green eyes never left my face as he watched me checking him out. He grinned a little when my eyes headed south.

"I'm more than happy to satisfy that curiosity, beautiful. All you gotta do is ask."

My eyes flew back up to his face to see his smile and the merriment in his eyes as he winked at me. I blushed but gave him a cheeky grin. 

"I may just take you up on it. Let's see if I live through the night though."

I watched his eyes darken and he licked his lips.

"Deal. Follow me."

He turned and started down the hall. I hesitated and then followed him. We passed several doors until we came to the one at the end of the hall. Jericho looked back at me and gave me a small smile. With a quick knock he turned the knob and went inside, leaving the door open for me to follow. I hesitated and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I prayed I could sweet talk my way into them letting me stay. Or at the very least, letting me keep breathing.