“I gotta go, Lys. The train is pulling into the station—what? No, of course not. I have no intention of meeting anyone other than Ms. Wilder today. I’ll hear what she has to say, but that’s it. Yes, I know what she looks like, jeez. I googled her profile. What? No—I promise. No decisions today. If I don’t like the guy she picked out, I’ll look at pics and profiles of other candidates, if any.”

Gathering her jacket and purse, Becca juggled the phone between her shoulder and her ear as Lyssa talked on, exhausted before her afternoon began. She would meet with Gerri later and then do a little shopping before catching the five p.m. train for the two hour trek back to southern Jersey.

“I know I can fight what the council said, Lys, and I love you for going to bat for me.” She paused. “Exactly! If I stand my ground, then I let the Leap down, but if I don’t stand up for myself, what message am I sending our females?”

Becca didn’t care how the council painted the scenario. Package it up pretty and label it an alliance, it didn’t change the fact she was taking one for the team. Done. Drop the mic.

In this game, she was both scorekeeper and umpire, and it would be game over if this Paranormal Dating Agency didn’t produce what she wanted. A guy with a strong pack, but no ambition to run things. Easy on the eyes would be a plus, but good-looking went hand-in-hand with ego, and ego equaled self-importance. That was a strike in this ball game.

“No, Lys. I know what I want. A strong pack, yes, but I don’t want a throwback to the Jurassic period either. Neanderthal shifters need not apply, know what I mean?”

Becca snorted. “Oh my God, Lyssa! Well hung is of NO consequence, you dirty bitch. Listen…I love you, but I really gotta go. Everyone’s getting off the train. Yeah, yeah…I’ll call you later.”

Becca hung up, ignoring Lyssa’s last comment, and stepped onto the platform. She followed the crowd up the escalator to the main terminal. At the top, she lifted her foot to step off the moving stairs, but caught her heel in the hem of her maxi skirt.

“Oh, Crap! Damn!”

She pitched forward, careening toward the floor, but a strong hand caught her around the waist. Her handbag tumbled to the ground, its contents spilling everywhere.

“Easy there, killer. You okay?” a deep, masculine voice asked.

“Yes, thank you.” Too embarrassed to look up, Becca knelt to gather her wallet and personal items. “I don’t know what happened. Balance is usually second nature to me.”

“Not a city girl, huh? Don’t sweat it. I’m here all the time and I still get distracted by the hustle and bustle,” he said with a small chuckle.

At this point, Becca stopped stuffing items into her purse and looked up, not wanting to be rude. Shielding her eyes from the florescent glare, Becca blinked, her mouth going dry at the sight of the gorgeous man standing over her.

“Uhm, no. Not a city girl at all. Am I that obvious?” she replied. Obvious? Try star struck teenager.

He held out his hand to help her up from her knees. “You’re a country mouse, all right. Not a good thing in this neck of the woods, though.” He leaned in with a wink. “Too many predators.”

An amazing smile flashed across his full mouth and Becca’s inner cat purred, her whole body reacting to his proximity. Heat crawled up her cheeks and she had to clear her throat to find her voice.

“Predators don’t worry me that much. I’m pretty good at taking care of myself,” she answered matter-of-factly.

He gave her a knowing nod. “I guessed as much. I have the same specialized set of skills.”

His hand was still on her arm, and sparks skittered across her bare skin at the pressure from his fingers. “Wolf. Right?” she croaked.

“Jaylon Ross, at your service, Miss—”

“Becca Duran.”

Jaylon smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Becca, and your escalator escapade notwithstanding, my guess is your balance would rival a tightrope walker. I bet your specialized skills are as sharp as mine, including a bit of jungle camouflage in a tawny, spotted coat.”

She nodded. “North American leopard.” God, the smell of him sent her cat into a purring frenzy.

Without letting go of her arm, Jaylon bent to scoop up her jacket, draping it over her shoulders.

“Well, Becca Duran, I’d be happy to escort you anywhere you want in the big, bad city.”

She smirked. “Says the big, bad wolf.”

He grinned. “I’d say the better to eat you with my dear, but we’ve only known each other for two minutes.”

Oh no, he didn’t!

Excitement zigged straight from her belly to the sweet spot between her legs. Her panties dampened and she stifled a gasp at the images her mind conjured.

“I’d love to stretch these two minutes into longer, if you’re game. Can I buy you a cup of coffee or something?” he asked.

Her mind screamed, “Yes!” but she hesitated before giving him a casual shrug. “Why not?”

“You sure?” he questioned. “For a second you looked like you had some place you needed to be.”

She glanced at her watch and then at Jaylon. “Actually, I did have an appointment. I’m supposed to meet a friend for coffee.”

Disappointment laced his eyes. “Lucky guy.”

“It’s not like that, honest,” Becca quickly replied. “I am supposed to meet someone, but she’s more of a business acquaintance. I can shoot her a quick text and then catch up with her later.”

There was no way to get in touch with Gerri, as the woman told Becca she’d be out of pocket until their meeting, but Jaylon’s sexy grin was worth the little white lie.