Read Black Gold for Free Online Page A

think…” She had taken a seat across from him on the couch, and watched with keen interest. Knees together, ankles delicately crossed, back straight. Add a china cup and a fancy hat, and she could have been at home having tea with the Queen. How was she going to take the news that her potential mate was three-sheets-to-the-wind at the moment?
    How bad was Shaun going to flip? The guy had been almost crying like a girl over the fact he was all alone, but what kind of a woman had he been imagining as a mate? Evan eyed Gem again, and his sense of 26
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    Black Gold
    humour poked him hard. Maybe he should send her to Shaun’s room. Instant contact was the simplest way to figure out if there was some mate-ish stuff in the cards for the mismatched couple.
    His common sense battled back and hog-tied the hysterical images of Gem and Shaun meeting right now, and forced him to consider the good of the pack and his commitment as Alpha.
    Damn, sometimes having to be a grown-up sucked.
    Gem waited for him to finish speaking, curiosity and more in her expression.
    Evan rose to his feet and held out his hand to her. “I think the answer will have to wait for a little while. Come. I’ll buy you a late supper, then in the morning I’ll take you to someone who should be able to answer your questions.”
    She hesitated before nodding. “If you think that would be best.” His timing wasn’t what she wanted to hear—Evan sensed her frustration. But waiting was all he was willing to provide tonight, and she was far too polite to make a fuss. Lovely thing about well-bred young ladies, that. He led her to the bar, and let the anticipation of the fun and games coming tomorrow entertain his imagination.

    Lordy, but she ached. The scent that had been driving her mad dissipated once they left Evan’s office.
    The kick-start to her libido was more difficult to turn off. Tucked into the corner of the pub with the music pulsing in time with the beat raging between her thighs, she was hard-pressed to remain aloof.
    “Wine?”
    Gem dragged her attention back to Evan. Wine? Oh, that was a question. She nodded.
    Evan spoke to one of his waitresses, turning back to raise a questioning brow. “Would you like bison?
    Or salmon?”
    Her mind whirled too hard to concentrate. “Please—whatever you decide will be fine.” He patted her hand, nodding as if he understood her dilemma. Her gaze returned to the room around them as he finished ordering. Everywhere she looked there was something to catch her interest and increase her arousal. At the table opposite them a couple kissed, long and slow, infinitely erotic as their tongues brushed together. An electric tingle struck deep inside as she spotted two wolves leaning against the wall, one covering the other as he nuzzled his partner’s neck. The dance floor was filled, body to body, all gyrating and pumping in a wild enthusiastic celebration of life.
    It was terribly hot. Gem patted her napkin over her forehead and neckline. She drained her water glass, and still the heat rampaging through her system refused to cool.
    She’d already decided this was one of the most unusual evenings she’d ever spent when the constant stream of, for lack of a better term, hussies parading past their table began. No less than a dozen women

    www.samhainpublishing.com
    27

    Vivian Arend
    came over. Supposedly to welcome her, but it was clear enough after the second faked casual hello they were there to see if Gem was a challenge to their hopes to hitch up with the Alpha.
    Even in her mind-fuddled state, she was shocked. Some women would go to any lengths for attention, but this kind of approach was far too blatant to be effective. Getting your way around the male of the species, human or wolf, took a little more finesse.
    Evan appeared uncomfortable with the whole situation. When he managed to scatter the final of the convoy like the squawking crows they were, he tossed Gem a