Wanted by the Alphas(8)

“Yeah, Shannon,” Jared cuts in. He puts a proprietary hand on the small of her back. “We’ll have to be going. See you later, Lucien Walker.” He pronounces it as though it is acid in his mouth. “Come on, Shannon.”

“Wait,” she says, turning back to an increasingly amused Lucien, “I’ll leave you my number.”

She fumbles in her purse for her cellphone. Her movements are nervous, jittery. Lucien makes her nervous, especially with the way he watches her. Jared makes her nervous because you can practically smell the agitation coming off him in waves.

“Wait,” Lucien says, “there’s another part of the bargain I haven’t disclosed to either of you. I would be honored if you both would be my guests for the night in this modest hotel.”

Both she and Jared are taken aback.

“That wasn’t part of the deal,” she says, licking her lips. Does he really want me . . . or is he playing both of us? She remembers the darkness which has come over Lucien’s eyes and she wonders if he knows she saw it. But she doesn’t sense a danger vibe from him.

You’re interested in me.

I’m interested in you too.

But in what capacity?

Jared says, “Why, thank you, Lucien. That is very generous of you.” He has his hand on her back again. “So generous that we will both accept.”

What? She darts a look at him in surprise. She didn’t think he would accept Lucien’s offer. She thought he would be too proud.

But perhaps she thought wrong. Perhaps he wants his rematch tonight. Perhaps he wants revenge on Lucien for besting him in front of a dozen people. Perhaps he noticed Lucien’s fleeting metamorphosis and he wants to investigate further.

“Excellent.” Lucien smiles at Jared. It’s a smile that doesn’t quite touch his eyes. There’s a challenge in his expression. I’ll find out who you really are.

A shudder runs down her spine. Is this such a good idea after all to remain here? Something bad is going to happen, she can feel it in her gut.

The waiter says tactfully, “I’ll get the bellboy to bring up your bags. Which room shall I put Mr. and Ms. Bellamy in, sir?”

“Not a room but two suites,” Lucien pronounces. “Give them the Heartwood and Northam suites, Tod, and break out two bottles of champagne. Nothing but the gracious best for our guests.”

The waiter grins. “Of course, sir.”

As he scuttles off to get the bellboy, Shannon can’t help feeling that everything is going in a way that neither she nor Jared would have dreamt of.





HEARTWOOD





The Heartwood Suite is not as huge as most hotel suites go, but this is a boutique hotel and Shannon supposes it is as good as it gets in Dolphin’s Bay. The suite consists of a small lounge where a patterned and purposefully mismatched sofa set forms the décor. A bucket of ice lies on the table before the couch and a bottle of champagne has been placed in it.

Too bad she doesn’t like champagne. Alcohol of any sort sends her mind into a tailspin and her focus unbalanced.

The carpet is plush under her bare feet. She has already shrugged off her heels and her tired feet sink into the softness. The lounge has a wall to wall glass window which looks out into the flower garden she saw from the restaurant terrace. She peers out of this window, taking in the sky with the scudding rain clouds.

The bedroom is attached to the lounge. It is very pretty, tasteful, with colors that run the gamut of cherry red for the wood furnishings and pastels for the sheets. It is a happy place with happy vibes, and she immediately experiences a cheer she has not felt for a long time.

She wonders if Jared finds the Northam Suite to his liking or he will just find a reason to crap. Jared has changed a lot from the teenager she once knew. Most of her affection for him still stems from the tides they have been through together when they were merely two unusual young people against a world which does not tolerate differences, and not from what he has become in recent times.

She is tired from the journey, and so she runs a long bath with bath salts and has a nice soak all by herself. Then she takes a nap.

When she wakes up, it is six thirty in the evening.

Her date!

It has been on her dreams when she fell asleep, and how she has to prepare herself for Lucien Walker. How should she dress? Her usual style is casual chic – with lots of short skirts and sleeveless tees. She knows she looks good in this ensemble because she is always trying to emphasize her long slim legs. But Lucien Walker is a man of class and taste. His family owns this hotel, after all, and goodness knows how many other hotels and properties in this area. She should make an effort to look just as classy.