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"Speaking of which, what're
    you two yammering about?"
    Ernie glanced at Ray, who shrugged, sitting back in his chair. "Oh,
    nothing to worry about, I don't think. Ernie's got it all under control."
    A wide grin spread over the red-headed youth's face. Ray could
    sense his comment had stroked the computer geek's ego.
    "Yeah, like Ray said, nothing to worry about. I'm on it." Ernie
    quickly rose from his seat. "If I learn anymore, Ray, you'll be the first
    to know. Well, I gotta run now. I've got things to do."
    Ray was deep in thought for a moment as Ernie left the table.
    Sipping his coffee, he returned his attention to Bruce, who was giving
    a breakfast order to the attentive blonde waitress. With a wide smile
    and a wink, she turned, heading toward the kitchen.
    "Mary Lynn's trying to catch your attention, bro." Bruce chuckled,
    his own gaze appreciating the view of the waitress' rounded backside
    before she went behind the counter.
    "Looks like she's got your attention, too." Ray smirked.
    "You know, she's liked you since high school, Ray. Why haven't
    you asked her out?"
    Bruce turned to face him. Even though his friend was smiling, his
    eyes were serious.
    "She's not my type." Ray shifted in his chair. "Maybe you should
    ask her out."
    "Maybe I should." Bruce straightened his shoulders. "You're so
    damn picky."
    Ray chuckled, but knew his buddy was right. Women literally
    threw themselves at him, whether they were average women or ones
    with sithech -blood. On some level, they sensed his alpha nature. For
    the last few years, however, Ray had put his love life on hold for duty
    ... duty to his pack.
    "I worry about you, man," Bruce shook his head.
    "Oh, there's no need to worry about me," Ray playfully slapped his
    buddy on the back. "I'm fine. Really."
    The soft tinkle of a bell drew his attention to the diner's entrance
    and in walked Jac Hamilton. Ray's heart flipped in his chest. He
    licked his dry lips. His skin prickled. He glanced over at Bruce, who
    was watching him intently from under an arched eyebrow.
    "What?" Ray narrowed his gaze.
    You know what, you big, bad wolf , Bruce conveyed with a smirk.
    His buddy loved to use their sithech -mind link to communicate,
    especially when ribbing him, then cleared his throat. "Even though
    I'm off-duty, maybe I should go over and check – "
    "Oh, no you don't." Ray's voice sounded like a feral growl, even to
    him.
    "Okay." Bruce held up his hands in mock-surrender. "You do it."
    Ray sighed then nodded. He glanced over to the booth where Jac
    had taken a seat, her laptop open and her fingers pecking away at the
    keys.
    She appeared better rested; the color of her aura glowed bright in
    the diner's light. Jac slipped on a pair of glasses, and then scanned the
    flat screen, totally unaware of his gaze.
    Summoning up his nerve, Ray slid back the chair and rose to his
    feet.
    "Good luck, man."
    Ray grunted in response then made his way from the table through
    the crowded diner. His senses were acute; his focus was only on Jac
    as he stopped in front of the booth. He waited. She didn't look up.
    Finally, he cleared his throat.
    Like a sleeper awakening from a deep sleep, she glanced up and
    blinked. The illusion of her eyes behind the glasses reminded him of
    an owl. He half-expected her to say, 'who'. However, much to his
    relief, she didn't.
    "Oh! Hi Ray! I didn't hear you walk up."
    "Good morning, Jac." He grinned. "Mind if I join you?"
    Jac was pleasantly stunned to see him again. And so soon, too.
    She quickly removed her glasses. "Uh, sure. Please sit down," she
    offered, shifting the computer aside to view both the screen and Ray.
    Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest as he slid into the
    booth. For a tall, well-built man, Ray moved with an easy grace. Jac
    recalled the lusty encounter in her dream. She blushed. Surely, it
    wasn't him , she mused. We don't even know each other.
    "Is something wrong?" He angled his head, giving her a curious
    gaze.
    And what a gaze