Read Online The Cougar and the Wolf by Mina Carter - Free Book Online

Kyle, she had no idea, but the loud demands sealed the deal as photographers swarmed around them.
    “How long have you been in Katy, Krystal?”
    “What will Stone think about your boy toy?”
    “What brought you to small town America?”
    “Are you and Stone over now then?”
    Cameras clicked and microphones were shoved in her face as a barrage of questions were thrown at her. Stiffening, she clung to Kyle instinctively. Her fingers curled around his upper arms as she desperately tried to get herself together, pull her screen persona over herself and hide her more vulnerable real nature. Snarling, Kyle turned, shoving her protectively behind him as he faced the cameras, a large hand batting away one lens that got too close.
    “Back off, or I’ll shove that where the sun doesn’t shine,” he threatened, his voice lower than normal as he glared down the owner of the ridiculously large lens, a thin little man who looked like he’d topple over in the wind given the large amount of photography kit around his neck.
    “Now, now, ladies and gentlemen,” a new voice announced loudly, a familiar figure detaching himself from the back of the pack and walking around to them. It was her agent, Xander, wearing a smug little grin as he reached her side. “I’m sure Krystal will be happy to talk to you, in a few minutes when she’s freshened up. How about you give us all a little space here?”
    Sliding a hand under her arm, he tried to detach her from Kyle, which only earned him a growl from the pissed off werewolf Kyle's eyes flashed dangerously amber until she patted his arm in reassurance. It took them seconds to walk back through the workshop. Marty pointed at the back office, then moved to block the paparazzi simply by standing in the doorway, a large wrench dangling idly from his hand. His voice rose as he argued with them, a low rumble that indicated his bear was near, which was cut off as the door slammed shut.
    Xander made sure the door was locked and turned back to them. His gaze swept over Kyle, a brief light of interest in his eyes that had nothing to do with Kyle as a person, or even as a possible future bed partner, and everything to do with whether or not he could make Xander money.
    “Cute.” The interest died, the agent’s expression dismissive as he turned back to Kristen. “Okay, Kris. You’ve had your bit of fun, as normal. Now it’s time to get back to work.”
    The callous words sliced through the air like a butcher’s cleaver, a hard slam that left it buried in the counter and ringing slightly. She winced as Kyle turned to her, the suspicion and pain in his eyes catching her heart.
    “So. I was just a bit of fun?”
    The denial rose instinctively to her lips. Her trip here might have started out that way. A bit of fun, a much needed break between filming and having to immerse herself in publicity events, something she always found herself needing a month-long bath after. With bleach. It wasn’t the fans she objected to, most of them were really sweet, but it was the demands of the industry that she virtually prostitute herself at this event and that event to protect their bottom line.
    Before she could get the words out, Xander laughed, the sound harsh and dismissive.
    “Oh, you didn’t think this little thing you had going on was serious, did you? Kris always takes some downtime after a film. Heads out somewhere to get her bad girl groove on with someone. I’m just glad she chose a nobody this time.” He looked back at her and smiled in approval. “Well done, far less media fallout than the time you fucked the senator. What a fucking mess that was!”
    Kyle’s face blanked, the hurt in his eyes wiped out by a bland, polite expression that made her want to scream and cry all at the same time as she sensed him withdrawing.
    “Well, I’m glad you had your bit of fun. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me.” He laughed, the sound strained and bitter. “Not every day a nobody gets