Graham (Obsessed Alpha 3)

“Hey, Gia. It’s great seeing you out here. Did you get all settled in?”

I turn around and give a half-hearted smile. It’s the guy from earlier, but I can’t remember his name. “Hi, um. Yes, I did.”

Catching on quickly, he helps me out. “It’s Dex.”

I flush with embarrassment. It’s not like me to forget, but all I can think about is the demanding man in the suit. “Sorry, I was distracted earlier.” I’m still distracted because of Mr. “Come-with-me” left me all hot and bothered, even though I asked him to leave.

“So this Aunt Bee? Did she make you come on this cruise?” he asks.

He heard me? Damn, he must have been standing pretty close. “How did you know?”

“Ah…because I’ve been cursing out my mother since I got on the ship.” He smiles, revealing those bleached white perfect teeth, reminding me that I need to schedule a dentist appointment.

In an effort to make conversation, I ask, “She thinks you’ve been single too long?” He looks like a player. I can see it in his demeanor. If he thinks he’s fooling me, he’s got another thing coming. I may have spent my life avoiding the opposite sex for this exact reason. Somehow, I bet this isn’t his first cruise, and I’m probably not the first chick he’s hit on since we boarded.

“Yes, and that I need to relax.” He looks like he knows how to relax very well.

“Oh yeah. Do you work too much?” I ask, wanting to know if I’m right about him. Does he work as hard as he plays?

“Yes, I do.” I see his tan and mentally question if he works or plays outside.

“I own a construction company.” Yep, I don’t believe it. Something about that doesn’t ring true to me. I’m getting tired of this pointless conversation. I scan the deck, looking for my mystery man, but he’s nowhere to be found.

“Are you waiting for someone else?” he asks. I turn to catch him looking in the other direction, not even waiting for an answer. His attention is caught by two women walking past in shorts and bikini tops.

Yep, he’s not that interested and the need to be kind flies out the window. “Actually, I am.”

“Oh, you met someone else after we met?” He narrows his eyes at me playfully, but there’s more to it. A sinking feeling hits me. This man thought he could score with me easily. It’s written all over his conceited, arrogant face.

A short but pointed laugh escapes my lips. “No, actually, I met him before I met you,” I inform him with enough attitude to remind him that he’s not special.

His smirk grows unfazed by my words. “It explains your indifference. I usually don’t have to try that hard.” He moves closer, trapping my legs between his, then grabs my hands. “But I will.”

I yank them from his, and push back in the chair, nearly falling over. “He’s not the only reason I’m not interested in you. You’re slimy—and it’s obvious.” As I’m about to stand up, I see a large shadow appear behind me and that feeling I got earlier returns. A pair of strong hands wrap around my biceps, lifting me up out of my seat and against his chest.

“If you touch her again, I’ll break your fucking bones and toss your ass overboard.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Dex challenges, reaching for me, but I press my body closer to my protector who slides his arms around my middle, holding me firmly. I can’t miss the feel of his cock burrowing into my back. Damn, he’s freaking huge if that’s what I think it is.

“Her man, and if you know what’s best for you, you’ll keep your hands to yourself.” The low rumble in his chest reminded me of Lion ready to attack. Every syllable out of his sexy lips is menacing. I look up at Dex who seems to be annoyed as my captor’s hands caress my waist.

“Come on, Gia, we have dinner reservations.” He spins me around in his arms, leans down, and kisses me. At first, I’m shocked and not sure what to do then I relax and deepen our kiss. We only break apart to come up for air. He looks around to see if Dex is there, but he’s gone.

“What’s your name?” I ask when he drags his eyes back to me. The look in them is fierce, possessive, and something else that I can’t make out.

“Graham.”

Good, I just wanted to know who I was surrendering my life to. “Graham, kiss me again.”

“Always.” He slides his tongue along the seam of my lips, pushing past them and inside to dance with my tongue. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’m loving every single moment of it. I cling to him—this stranger who has claimed me in a way I can’t even understand.