Page 40 of Alpha Ruined
She’s also underdressed. Her sweater is appropriate, but she’s sure the faded jeans are against their dress code.
“Mister Cross, welcome back,” the hostess smiles at him. She’s a pretty Beta woman, and Bree doesn’t miss the way her eyes look Cole up and down.
She’s not jealous. If the hostess knew how intense he was, she wouldn’t want anything to do with him.
She’s not jealous at all.
“Thank you,” Cole says evenly.
“Two tonight?” the hostess asks, shooting a glance at Bree. She catches the hostess’ expression, a quick look of disappointment on her face.
This is ridiculous. Bree isn’t jealous.
This isn’t even a real date, at least not one she agreed to.
She was coerced into this dinner, so she should be thankful that Cole may want the attention of someone else and will finally leave her alone after this.
But that doesn’t stop the aching feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“That’s correct,” Cole replies, giving the hostess a bland smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
He’s never smiled like that at her, she realizes.
She wonders how often he uses a fake smile with people and that dull, polite tone—she knows she does it far more often than she should.
It’s hard for her to be herself around people.
They’re led to a private corner booth next to one of the massive windows, giving her a beautiful view of the woods.
For a moment, she imagines what it would be like to quit her job and stay in Green Woods. She would be friends with Darlene and get a job at the café with her.
Maybe she’d even get a cat, orange and fat, like Oscar.
“You’re lost in thought,” Cole murmurs, and she jolts backto reality, meeting his piercing eyes. He sits across from her, the low light illuminating the shadows of his face. “Anything on your mind you’d like to share?”
She bites back a retort and decides to be honest with him. She’s tired of arguing, and there’s no point in ruining a nice dinner, especially if he’s her ride back.
“It’s beautiful here,” she says. “And I’m thinking I’m grateful to be here. I wouldn’t have gone to Elmwood if you hadn’t taken me. Because of…you know.”
It’s her way of saying thanks.
He drums his long, pale fingers on the table, and she tries not to imagine them inside her. Her inner Omega longs for him, no matter how hard she tries to fight it.
“Because of the murders,” he finishes for her, holding her gaze.
She nods, ignoring the feeling of uncertainty as he continues to stare at her.
“What do you know about them?” he asks her.
Her anxiety grows. Why does it feel like he’s testing her?
“Just that it was two men, and they were found in barrels,” she says slowly.
He shrugs. “Green Woods just had a prisoner escape, and he killed a guard. Yet you’re still there on your own.”
“I—” They’re interrupted as the hostess brings them their menus, and she shoots another look at Bree. She gives the hostess one back, looking at her in disbelief as she huffs and walks away.
What the hell?