The Lion’s Mate

“Can I be nosy?”
“That’s what first dates are for? Well, that, and for feeling out if a girl does it on the first date.”

“You already know that answer,” she said smartly, poking his side none-to-gently.

“Hey! That tickles! Do you want to cause a crash?”

“Whatever, smarty pants.”

“So what’s the question, nosy butt?” he asked.

Leah rolled her eyes. “So I looked you up on the internet when I was supposed to be writing today. You won a really high-profile case last year. Similar to Annie’s.”

“Similar but not the same. Annie is suing a school for discrimination, while that guy sued an apartment complex for the same reason.”

“Right. And you won, so I know you got a nice retainer fee. But that doesn’t explain the car, which I know is high, and the cabin, which I also know rents for a pretty price for only a week.”

“You are nosy,” he laughed. “My parents are Thomas and Nicole Anderson.”

Leah’s eyes widened. “As in the man who created FarKeep? The computer company?”

“That’s the one,” Mark replied.

“Holy sh*t.”

Mark laughed. “You sound disgusted.”

“No, not at all. You just don’t act like someone who has billions,” Leah said.

“I don’t have billions, technically. My parents do, but one day it’ll be mine,” Mark said, nodding sagely as if he’d imparted some great wisdom.

“That’s right, they’re shifters,” Leah said with a snap of her fingers. “They donate tons of money for shifter rights and education and such.”

“Yes ma’am. They taught me to fight for what I believed in. So I became a lawyer. I take on any case, no matter how small, so that shifters can have the same rights as humans.”

Leah stared at him; his eyes were fierce and hard core belief in what he did. A new found respect blossomed in her heart and mind for him. She took his hand in hers and smiled at him. “You’re so passionate. It’s nice to see someone who cares that much about others.”

“Somebody has to do it. And honestly, it’s not that hard of a job anymore. Not like it used to be,” Mark said.

“Your parents must be proud of the work you do,” Leah said.

“They are,” Mark beamed. “So what about your parents?”

“My parents died a long time ago. Annie and I are both orphans,” Leah told him.

“I’m sorry.”

She waved her hand. “Don’t be. We take care of each other.”

“That’s awesome,” he smiled.

A silence filled the car as their thoughts moved around inside. Leah felt a connection with this man, and it terrified her. But she couldn’t bring herself to pull back as she had with all other relationships. Something about this man captured her, held her to him. She looked at him sideways, trying to figure it out. Yeah, he was good looking, and funny, and charming, and kind, and passionate, and a damn good lay. Leah rolled her eyes at herself. She’d just listed every reason why she should have feelings for him.

She broke the silence to escape her thoughts. “So how much longer until we get to the cabin?”