Catching Him (How to Catch an Alpha 1)

He shakes his head. “Right. I’ll let you two sort out dinner while I take Bruce out with me. I need to stop at my place, get the mail, and grab some stuff for tomorrow.” He comes back toward me in his boots, jeans, and long-sleeve shirt with a vest over it. “Be back in ten or fifteen.”

“Okay.” I know my voice is breathy as he touches his mouth to mine again. He heads for the doorway in the kitchen, calling out to Bruce as he disappears from sight, and Bruce follows after coming to get an ear scratch from me.

“I better be your bridesmaid, and no matter what you say, I get to design your cake,” Chrissie demands. I look at her and start to laugh. “I’m serious,” she states, standing and placing her hands on her hips to emphasize her point.

“I wouldn’t have anyone else for either job,” I assure her while getting up myself and heading for the counter where the food is.

“Have I told you I love him for you?”

“You might have mentioned it.” I smile at her from across the counter as she picks up our empty wineglasses.

“Well, let me reiterate the point, because I really, really love him for you.”

With that final statement from my best friend, I serve us up dinner. When Tyler gets back, the three of us eat sitting at my small table, laughing and talking. I cannot imagine a more perfect evening. Not only am I able to enjoy the company of my best friend, but I also get to share my happiness with the guy who is slowly winning over my heart.

Suggestion 9

DON’T LET A LITTLE ARSON RUIN YOUR NIGHT

LEAH

“Shit,” I hear Tyler say as I walk out of my bedroom. I hit the living room, and his eyes land on me. The anger I saw when I entered disintegrates as his gaze licks over me from head to toe, and something else fills his eyes. That something is so hot my toes curl and my body tingles.

It’s Saturday, and we’re going on our first real date, which is why I’m wearing the new red dress I bought yesterday. A deep bloodred dress with a tie at the waist, a low neck that shows off my cleavage, and a hem hitting just below my knees. I’ve complemented the look with high-heeled black suede boots that come to midthigh. As anger and frustration fill his gaze once more, I notice he has his phone to his ear.

“Yeah, fuck, I’ll be there. I just need to explain to Leah what’s going on.” He pauses, and his lips slightly lift at the corners. “You’ll meet her soon, just need to set up a time to do that,” he says, and I kinda tune him out after that, because I’m taking in all of him. He’s wearing black dress shoes I’m surprised he owns (because I’ve never seen him in anything but work boots), nice belted slacks, and a dark-blue fitted button-down shirt that had to have been tailored just for him, since it fits that well. My body doesn’t just tingle; it heats up, sending a surge of want and desire through me.

I stop thinking about taking off his clothes and having my way with him when his hand curls around my hip, the other curving around my neck.

“Jesus, baby, you’re fucking amazing.” He growls those words, which sends a pulse between my legs. I lift my hands to his chest, digging into his shirt and flesh with the tips of my fingers to steady myself. “I’m sorry.”

Wait, what is he sorry about?

“Sorry?” I focus on him, and he moves his face closer to mine.

“I gotta leave. There was a fire in one of our off-site storage spaces. Scott is there now, along with the police and fire department. They think an accelerant was used, which means it could be arson.”

“Was anyone hurt?” I ask in worry.

He shakes his head. “No one was there, and the place isn’t in a residential area. All that’s on the property is a metal building and a big dirt lot surrounded by a fence.”

“You said they think it might be arson?”

“That’s what the police and fire department are saying, which is why Scott wants me there with him.”

“Why would someone do that?” I ask, searching his eyes.

“Who knows? Maybe one of the people competing for the bid on the hotel got pissed they lost and wants to run us off so they can do the job themselves. Or maybe an ex-employee is out for revenge.” He tightens his hold on me when unease slides down my spine. “It could be none of that and just someone being a dick, baby, so get that look out of your eyes.”

“Okay,” I agree reluctantly.

“Now, I really, really hate that I have to leave right now, especially when I want nothing more than to strip that dress off your beautiful body, explore what you’ve got under it, and then fuck you in those boots.”