Wanted by the Alphas(4)
They take their suitcases out from the booth anyway. Hers is a lot heavier than his, but he doesn’t offer her any help. Jared has never been a gentleman for as long as she has known him. He is too much of a selfish alpha to be one. Now they have to find a restroom and change their clothes, if Pine’s Bluff would be so kind to allow them to do so.
A ‘WELCOME’ sign loudly proclaims that ‘ROOMS FOR RENT’ can be found in here. So her first impression is right. It is a B&B. Maybe even a small boutique hotel.
The white double doors open into a reception area. It is small, tasteful, and lined with oak paneling. Watercolors of the cliffs and stormy blue sea line the wall behind the reception desk. An elderly man looks up and smiles.
“What can I do for you, Sir? Miss?”
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay here, she thinks. The whole place has a very homely vibe to it, and she knows she will be happy here amongst the flowers. But of course, they can’t stay here if the white Merc’s owner has anything to do with it. It’s just a stop and go.
“Is there a place we can change out of our wet clothes?” she asks.
“Certainly, Miss. The restroom is right down the corner. The weather has been terrible lately with hardly a break in the rain pattern.”
“Is it always like this in the Pacific Northwest?”
“Not always, but close at this time of year.”
Jared places his fist on the reception counter. His stance of aggression is unmistakable.
“We’re also looking for a man. He’s the owner of the white Mercedes you have parked outside.”
At this, the man seems taken aback. “You mean Mr. Lucien Walker?”
“Is that his name?” Jared grins. “Lucien. Kind of sissy, ain’t it?”
Shannon jabs him. “Pardon his rudeness. Actually, we don’t need to disturb Mr. Walker – ”
“Hell no,” Jared interrupts. “A challenge is a challenge. I’ll never back down from one. You can go sit on the couch over there and wait till it’s all over.”
“You’re not going to fight him!”
“The hell I’m not.”
The receptionist begins to look worried.
“Ah, sir, Mr. Lucien’s family owns this hotel, among other properties. He is a very prominent member of our community. I wouldn’t want to have to call security.”
“It’s OK,” says a voice to their right.
Shannon turns. Lucien Walker, prominent member of Dolphin’s Bay, enters the reception area. His hair has been toweled dry, and every inch of him affirms the towering blond god that she thought he would be on the rain-soaked road.
In fact, he is far more magnificent in the clear light of day.
His eyes are a piercing blue. She is a woman of medium height, and he stands so tall that she has to crane her neck up to peer at his face. His family is obviously of Scandinavian origin. They have emigrated years ago, as his North Western accent suggests, but his physical characteristics still bear his Viking roots. His shoulders are broad and he has a V-shaped waist in comparison. His body is strong and muscular under his dry white shirt, and she can see little blond hairs peeking out of his unbuttoned lapels.
God, but he is staggering!
Lucien says again, “It’s OK, Peter. I asked them to come here. I believe I owe this gentleman the conclusion of our argument on the road a little earlier.”
Peter seems worried. “Uh, sir, your father would not like this – ”
“My father has nothing to do with this,” Lucien snaps. To Jared, he says, “You and I seem to have an argument about who cut who off on the road. How shall we settle this?”
“Jared,” Shannon warns. She eyes Lucien pleadingly. “Please, we don’t want any trouble. We are new here in this town.”
“All the better to test the waters with the locals, eh?” Lucien says.
He sizes Jared up. Jared is a tall man, though not as tall as Lucien. But he is a good several inches taller than most men at six feet two. Jared’s body is lean and hard due to his nightly activities. She remembers what she has seen Jared do before and her chest contracts with sudden fear for the blond man.
“So what do you say?’ Jared challenges. She can tell he is itching for a fight. “How good are you at wrestling?”
Lucien laughs. “Wrestling in the mud? I’m afraid our weather does not allow for such proclivities. I’m looking more at a contest of strength. Arm wrestling, if you will.”
At this, Jared grins. Shannon knows why. There is no better arm wrestler than Jared Bellamy in Tupelo, Nevada – from where they came from.
At least they are only arm wrestling. She almost heaves a sigh of relief. She has seen Jared break men before in terrifying ways, which is one of the reasons why they had to run for the Pacific Northwest.