Her Mane Men (Paranormal Dating Agency Kindle World)(2)

It was the one thing I knew she opposed, although I bet if her hubby asked her to, she would. She would do anything for him, and vice versa. Their relationship was sickeningly sweet. I would never admit it to her, but I was all kinds of jealous. Not of her man—he was made for her to be sure— but of what they shared. I wanted that. I just didn’t believe a dating service would be the means to that end.

Yeah, that’s about it. Love ya.

You, too.

I stashed my phone in my clutch before inhaling deeply, crossing the street, and approaching the front door where I was instantly greeted by a doorman. This was so not the same kind of place as the diner I frequented.

“Your party is waiting for you, ma’am.” You know because once you hit thirty you’re old. I bit my tongue, knowing he was going for polite and not insulting. Besides, I had more important things on my mind.

“My party?” I asked as I followed him like a lemming. It felt rude not to, given he was doing his job, even though for all I knew he was taking me to a wedding, or, given the quietness of the place, more likely a funeral or an accountants’ convention. Sadly, I had been to both recently.

He stopped short, turning slightly to face me, “You are Ms. Madeline Solaris.” It was less of a question and more of a Seriously, you’re questioning me?

“I am.” I lowered my head in embarrassment, which was all kinds of ridiculous given the circumstances.

“Then, your party is this way.”

I scampered behind him as we wove our way through the little dining room, where a few couples already enjoyed their meals. I’d never been here before, preferring my restaurants to include prices on their menus, but, taking in the ambiance, I could see the appeal. The room was very homelike, if your home had Tiffany lamps, beautiful art, and a restaurant that probably cost a fortune. Somehow, it still managed to feel cozy and relaxed. I could see the appeal, especially with so few tables. There was something to be said for being able to hear your dinner companion. Maybe. I hoped.

“Right this way, ma’am,” he called to me, as I inadvertently stopped to gawk at a stunning photograph of the leaves in full color during autumn, my favorite time of year.

“Sorry,” I mumbled as he opened a door and walked inside.

As I followed I was expecting to see a secondary dining room but was instead greeted by a private dining room with exactly one table, the man I recognized to be Parker rising from his seat as we made our way over.

“Your party, ma’am. Louis will be by to let you know the evening specials in a moment.” And, with that, he left, giving us not so much as a backward glance.

“I’m Madeline.” I started to give him my hand, before chickening out and leaving it at my side. His picture had done him zero justice. He stood there, dressed more casually than the place dictated, which was a relief since my dress was nice enough but much more retro than high-end.

“Parker.” He pulled out a seat, which I took, my nerves getting the better of me as my knee began to bounce under the table.

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

My head snapped up as the man I recognized to be Curtis strolled into the room. What the freck had I just walked into?





Chapter Two


“You were supposed to wait until she got settled in and comfortable.” Parker spoke over my head as if that made his words inaudible to me. Normally, I’d be pissed off and giving my two cents if someone treated me as if I wasn’t there, but, as it was, I could barely breathe. I was in a room, with two over-the-top sexy guys on a what? A date. That should be freaking me the heck out, but for some reason, it was doing the opposite. It was intriguing me, even though it shouldn’t.

“Why are you both here?” I all but whispered? “I should go.” I made no attempt to leave, my words a fa?ade to even myself. I felt like I was in a tailspin of confused and intrigued and safe, which was the dumbest of the lot. How could I feel safe in a room with two men I didn’t know who somehow found me via a dating service. Goodness, we were in an isolated room at that. If this were a movie, I’d have been yelling at the screen, telling me to get the freck outta there, yet, my butt was glued to the seat, zero warning signs going off in my head.

“Please wait us out.” Curtis sat in the seat across from me at the third table setting, the one I hadn’t noticed as I entered the room. “If you want to go after that, we’ll even call you a cab.” He sounded so sincere. I had no idea what their end game was, but I could do that. Listen.

“We’re in a public place with exceptional food,” Parker added as he, too, took his seat. We were evenly spread around a smallish round table that could comfortably fit four, which worked out well because I could easily get out of the way if they made a move I was uncomfortable with, which I had a strong feeling they would not. Ever. What was it about these two?

“Parker, you asked me out. You. Not you and Curtis.” My bravado was a big old fail. I came across hurt instead of mad. I wasn’t even really hurt. I was—I had no idea what I was but it was unsettling. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice? What are you guys, anyway, part of some religious cult?” Even as the words escaped my mouth, I heard the ridiculousness of them. Some cults collected wives, sure, but not by going through a well-reputed dating agency and eating in exclusive dining establishments. At least not according to any docudramas I’d seen, and I was addicted to those suckers.