Page 14 of Alpha Games
Ranger leaned back in his chair. “We’ll talk about it more on our next date.”
“Next date?” I glanced at another table where Trenton was making Ismelda from Yuma Pack laugh. For a moment, I’d forgotten why I was really here.
“What’s the story with you two?” Ranger’s voice had the note of a warning growl to it.
The bell rang.
“Times up,” I said, not really expecting him to move. He’d pretty much planted his fine ass in that chair. I sighed, bringing my attention back again. “Trenton is my Alpha’s son. There’s no story there.”
“I don’t appreciate being lied to, Aspen.”
“Well excuse me,” I deadpanned. “I don’t appreciate being toyed with while you make plans to destroy my pack.”
Ranger’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. “What do you think I want with Nuva Pack?”
I couldn’t believe I just blurted it out like that, but this Alpha was doing strange things to me. “Do you… not want anything with Nuva Pack?”
“The only thing I want from that pack is you.” He folded his arms across his chest.
My wolf howled her approval as my heart took flight. The air was clean with the spring breeze and soft smell of cherry blossoms. No hint of a lie.
Was it possible that I’d gotten it wrong?
And like the idiot I was, I couldn’t come up with a response to that, so I sat there awkwardly blinking.
Ranger seemed to sense my relief. “How about this? Let’s go on a real date somewhere away from the cameras and have a real conversation.”
“Can we do that?” I bit down on my bottom lip, not entirely hating that idea. “Is it against the rules?”
He studied me as if working out a puzzle.
“What?” I asked when his scrutiny became unbearable.
“You’re acting like a rule follower, but I wasn’t sure how much of one you really are.”
“And you look like a red flag,” I scoffed. “I’m hoping you’ll also prove that wrong.”
Humor danced in his eyes, making my stomach flip. “Then I look forward to our real date.”
He stood so abruptly it felt as if he sucked the warmth from the table and started rolling down his sleeves. Which was totally uncalled for. Those forearms should always be on display.
“You’re leaving?” I asked breathlessly.
Ranger smirked as the bell rang again. “I’ll let you know the details of our date soon.”
“I never agreed to a date,” I called after him, watching his ass for a little too long as he walked away.
Jay Renfro took his place in front of the cameras, announcing the end of the speed dating round, and I tore my gaze from Ranger’s backside to see a very pissed off Molly who was definitely glaring at me this time.
*
At Molly’s demand, Ivan escorted me to the conference room. I was still flustered from Ranger’s presence and my wolf was acting goofy like an eager pup.
He’s freaking hot.
Yeah, you’ve said that a few times.
I glanced at Ivan, embarrassed that he could probably smell the scent of my response to Ranger still clinging to my skin. “So… Did you draw the short stick or something to get stuck on babysitting duty for me?”