Zander took in Isabel’s profile as they walked. The curve of her face and her soft lips, and the way her hair fell past her shoulders like thick, dark silk. There was something about the woman that pulled him in. It was more than just her scent or the sway of her hips and lush, full body. She walked side-by-side with him, close enough to touch, but he didn’t dare. This woman was a complete stranger, yet his inner wolf stalked beneath the surface, awake and pacing.

“Have you been to this place before,” she asked, angling her head to look at him.

“Sunset Strip?” He lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “From time to time, yeah.”

Humor flashed in her hazel eyes, even as her lips pushed into a sideways smirk. “I meant the place you’re taking me to eat. What did you say it was called?”

He grinned. “The Lunch Counter. Los Angeles loves its themes, so my buddy styled his place after the type of old-fashioned lunch counter you’d find at a Five and Dime store back in the day. Formica countertops, jukebox, Egg Creams, even waitresses in checkered uniforms. It’s pretty cool and the food is good.”

“By good I hope you mean good. I’m not exactly a salad-eating kind of girl.”

He laughed. “Good, because we’re here. The Lunch Counter.”

Zander held the door open, and Isabel walked in first. “Oh, wow! You weren’t kidding. This place is like a step back in time.”

She gave him a shy smile, but when the kitchen door swung open, her eyes followed the waitress as she delivered her order. Her grin widened. “Oh man, whatever was on that tray smells amazing!”

“I told you. The place has a terrific menu. Any kind of comfort food you could want and then some. My favorite is the King Kong Melt. A killer triple decker grilled cheese with tomato and tons of bacon.” Zander nodded. “Best part is washing it down with a chocolate milkshake.”

“My kind of lunch.” She laughed a little. “I hope that doesn’t scare you.”

“Why would that scare me?” he asked surprised.

“Because women in this town barely eat, and if they do give in to temptation, they turn around and vomit it right up.”

Zander chuckled. “I know plenty of women like that. They are the most hangry people I know.”

She laughed. “Hangry?”

He nodded. “Hungry and angry, and very unpleasant to be around. They definitely put the ill in ill-tempered.”

Isabel grinned. “I work for two women who totally fit that description. I design for them. One’s an agent and the other an actress. Believe me, they freak any time I break out the measuring tape.”

“Then count yourself lucky you only know two. In my business, I’m surrounded by them. Something I think you would hate.”

Izzy kept her eyes on him. “Why would you say that? You barely know me.”

He shrugged. “Because I’m an excellent judge of character and my guess is you’re not like most women, so what’s trendy or imposed by fad doesn’t apply.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” she ventured.

He took in her face and the soft blush that stained her cheeks. “Definitely a good thing. I wish more women were true to themselves and cared less what other people think. I find that kind of independence extremely attractive, and when that kind of spirit is wrapped in someone who looks like you, even better. Pretty and smart on the inside, and pretty and smart on the outside.”

The hostess took them to a curved booth in the back and Zander waited for Isabel to slide in first before taking a seat. She left two menus on the table, letting them know the waitress would be over shortly. He nodded to her before she walked away, and then picked up one of the menus and handed it to Isabel. Only three feet of tufted leather separated them, and his wolf growled even louder. Down boy.

The waitress walked over with her pen and pad. “What can I get you?”

Isabel gave the menu a cursory glance, but then closed it, handing it to the waitress. “I think I’ll have his favorite. The King Kong, but with a strawberry milkshake and sweet potato fries.”

The server scribbled on her pad and then looked at Zander. “I’ll have the same, but with a chocolate shake and waffle fries,” he replied.

After the waitress walked away, Isabel asked him, “So, tell me about Jezebel. How long have you had her?” Isabel smoothed her paper napkin.

Zander watched her fidgeting and almost grinned. He made her nervous and the scent was intoxicating on her skin. “Since I was a boy. Jezebel’s an old girl for sure, but she’s my oldest friend. She goes everywhere with me.”

“Everywhere?”

He nodded. “Everywhere. It’s harder for her now that she’s almost fifteen, but she loves being with me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“What do you think happened today? You must have been frantic,” Izzy asked.

“I wasn’t frantic. I was furious. Jezebel’s never done anything like this before. She’s super smart and loyal. Plus, the groomer is someone I trust. He’s been taking care of Jezzie forever, but he hired a new trainee, and like I said, Jez doesn’t warm to strangers easily. The reason I was so surprised she not only came to you, but let you put her in your car, is because Jezebel doesn’t like women. Don’t ask me why. Growing up, it was just my father and me, so maybe that has something to do with it, but whenever I’ve brought a lady friend home, it’s been a problem.”

Isabel’s brows pulled together. “That doesn’t sound like the squishable fur face that found me this afternoon. She got my attention by licking my leg.”

Zander laughed. “That does not sound like my Jezzie. Biting your leg, yes. But definitely not licking.”

“So, she doesn’t let you have company? At all?”

The waitress brought their shakes and set them on the table. “Your food will be out soon.”

“Thanks.” Zander gave the server an absent nod, but then turned back to Izzy. “Jezebel doesn’t have a problem with women as part of a large group, so parties are fine. It’s the one-on-one she has issues with.”

Isabel toyed with the plastic straw in her shake. “Sounds to me like she’s jealous. Not that I blame her.”

He licked his lips. Was that an opening or was she just being polite? Zander inhaled. Isabel’s scent was clean and genuine, but there it was. A spark of attraction. Cautious and unsure, but undeniable, and his wolf howled.

“Maybe,” Zander replied softly. “Or maybe she’s never encountered a woman like you. Someone special.”

“I don’t know about that. I’ve always had a connection to animals.” Isabel’s eyes met his. “My mom was a shifter, so I can only assume I get my affinity for animals and vice versa from her.” She shrugged. “I always seem to know what they need. It’s easier for me to reach them, to calm them. I volunteer at a few shelters and many of the rescues I’ve helped are now in happy homes.”

“Your mom was a shifter?” he asked?