Page 47 of Alpha Ruined
She laughs. “Yeah. Maybe. How did you know I’m into dark romance?”
Shit.
“Lucky guess,” he shrugs.
It has nothing to do with the fact that he was in her cabin last night, studying the titles on her shelves.
“But why come out here?” he presses. “You could have done research from home, instead of putting yourself in danger.”
“I’m not in danger?—”
“You don’t see or protect yourself clearly,” he warns her. “I’m sure someone told you it was foolish to come here on your own.”
She grimaces. “What, are you my bodyguard now?”
“Absolutely. Anyone even thinks about harming you, they disappear.”
Her scent spikes with her fear, and he knows he has to rein himself in.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” she mutters.
She can pretend all she wants, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
He knows there’s an Alpha at another booth that scented her, and it’s tempting to grab a steak knife and drag it across his neck.
But that would frighten Bree even more and ruin any progress he’s made with her.
Plus, he would never be able to take her back here to celebrate their anniversaries together.
“Pretend away and answer my question,” he says. “Whyvisit Green Woods, when you can just write about all of this from home?”
The smile returns to her face, and she lights up with excitement. “Erik Hart’s psychologist agreed to an interview with me,” she beams. “And I wanted to do it in person.”
“That’s impressive. So, not only are you brilliant, but you’re resourceful.”
“I’m not that?—”
“Learn to take the compliment, sweetheart. They’re going to continue.”
She exhales a shaky breath. “Thank you,” she says begrudgingly. “The interview is Friday, and I wanted to visit a few days before to explore and possibly understand more of Ellie’s experience.”
Her interview is Friday, which means she’s probably leaving Saturday.
He’ll have to change that.
He knew he needed her before—but now that she’s shared who she is with him, nothing will stop him from having her.
CHAPTER 16
BREE
The restof the dinner goes well, despite their awkward start.
The wine is out of her system, and her head is completely clear by the time he pays for their meal.
He genuinely listened to her, too. She rarely opens up about what she does for a living or why she loves it so much, but he appeared enraptured by his words.
Despite his intensity, she enjoys his company, and the way his voice lowers when he calls hersweetheart.