by Eve Langlais
“Fancy meeting you here,” Keir said as he came to a stop beside Ally at the entrance door. “Going in?”
“Hey, Keir. Have a hot date?” Ally grumbled out at the same time. “Yes, I am. Thank you,” she replied sheepishly as he pulled the door open and waved her through.
“No, by the way, I don’t have a date. I’m starving and I don’t like to cook for just one. I made a reservation earlier.”
Ally frowned. Reservation? That did not bode well at all. She approached the smiling hostess and opened her mouth to ask for a table when the blond bombshell saw Keir standing behind her.
“Hey, sexy. Where have you been?” the hostess cooed, completely ignoring Ally.
“Hi, Stephanie. How are you?” Keir asked politely as Ally fumed and stared holes into the blonde’s head.
“I’m good. How are you? It’s been forever, we should do dinner some time. I’ve missed you,” the hostess continued, still ignoring Ally.
“My friend here was hoping to get a table, think you can help her out?” Keir said with a smile as he winked at Ally.
Oh sure, now the bastard remembered she was there. She watched as the hostess’s smile fell slightly and she turned back to Ally.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but unless you have a reservation we’re booked solid tonight.”
“Ally, if you don’t mind sharing a table, you can join me,” Keir offered tentatively.
She stared at Keir with mixed feelings: on the one hand she was starving, but on the other, could she stand to sit there and watch women fawn over him as he lapped up their admiration?
“I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.” Keir leaned forward to whisper so only she would hear, “Unless you ask me otherwise, of course.”
“Fine, yes, I’ll join you. Thank you,” she replied grudgingly as she tried to drown the lust that filled her at his words and the images they conjured. This man didn’t have to do anything but whisper and she was ready to jump him right there on the hostess stand.
“Right this way,” Stephanie said with a sneer as she led them to a table.
Ally nodded her thanks and sank gratefully into a chair. Keir had moved forward to pull her chair back, she saw with surprise, but was stopped by the hostess’s hand on his chest as she leaned forward and whispered in his ear. Ally couldn’t hear what was said, but by the blush on his face, she didn’t want to know. She quickly picked up the menu and did her best to ignore the two of them.
“Thank you, Stephanie, but I have to refuse.” Keir’s words startled Ally and she quickly glanced up to see what was happening.
“So it’s true then?” the hostess asked in disbelief. “You really are…”
Keir glanced to Ally and nodded before the woman could finish. “Yes, I am.”
“Wow, good luck then. I’m happy for you,” Stephanie said as she walked away in dejection.
“What was that all about there at the end?” Ally asked in confusion.
“Nothing important. She asked me … out, and I turned her down. That was it.”
“Out? Something tells me that wasn’t what she was asking, but I was referring to the part after that. You cut her off before she could finish what she was saying.”
Keir shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “She isn’t known for her tact, after all.”
Ally knew he was lying but she had no idea why. Within moments the waiter arrived at the table and the woman’s words were forgotten over her haste and excitement for some good food.
An hour later, she was contemplating the dessert menu when a shrill voice broke through her rapt attention of the delicious options.
“She said it, but I didn’t believe her. I had to come see for myself.”
“Eliza, how are you?” Keir said with a smile as he stood and embraced the beautiful bombshell standing next to their table.
“I don’t even want to know what she said,” Keir said with a fake laugh. Now that Ally had been watching him so closely, she’d come to know when he was genuine about his smiles. This was not one of those moments. “But it’s always a pleasure to see you.”
“Liar.” Eliza laughed. “Are you going to introduce me or what?”
Keir turned to face Ally. “Ally, I want you to meet a close friend of mine. She also happens to be the sister of the hostess you met earlier. Eliza meet … Ally.”
Ally cocked one eyebrow at his stumbled explanation of who she was, but decided not to make a scene. She’d known when she’d agreed to eat with him that peace wouldn’t last long.
Eliza smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Ally said in confusion. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to run to the ladies’ room. I’ll give you a moment to catch up.”
Ally fled the table and her conflicting emotions. For a few moments during dinner she’d forgotten Keir’s much deserved reputation. They’d conversed, laughed, flirted, and had a great time. Then another one of his bimbos showed up and it was all lost. Not that she was complaining exactly. She needed to keep focused on who he really was after all.
“Listen, lady,” a nasty woman sneered at Ally from her place in the bathroom doorway. “I don’t know who you think you are, but don’t worry, you won’t be around for long. He’ll never settle down with you.”
Ally frowned. “Excuse me? I think you have me confused with someone else, and if you don’t then go fuck yourself.”
The woman narrowed her eyes and stepped closer. “Keir is mine.”
Sarcastic laughter bubbled out of Ally before she could control it. “Yours you say, then why is he here with me? You and your bleached and badly dyed hair, if I do say so myself, can get out of my face, or let me try out the new moves I learned in kickboxing class.”
“I’m warning you, he’s mine,” the woman said as she slowly backed away and moved out the door.
“No,” Ally growled with more aggression than she’d felt in her entire life. “He’s not. He’s mine and if you lay one fucking hand on him, I’ll kick your nonexistent ass all over the street. Got it?”
The woman’s eyes opened wide in horror. “You’re a hood rat.”
“Yeah? Why don’t you come closer so we can examine how ghetto you think I am.”
The woman rushed out the door with a gasp.
Ally slumped against the bathroom wall and shook her head in dismay. How was it that no matter where she went, one of Keir’s women was always there? This was the first time she’d been threatened, but still. They were everywhere and it was kind of sad and disturbing. The number of them was mind boggling.
“Are you okay?”
Ally jumped in startled surprise and turned to see Eliza standing beside her with concern in her eyes. “Yes. I’m fine.”
“What did she look like?” Eliza sighed. “Let me guess, I bet it was the tall brunette with the rather overabundant breasts and the really bad hair dye.”
“How did you…” Ally trailed off and moved to the sink to splash some cold water on her face.
“Don’t worry about that one, she’s pretty harmless. Keir met her at one of our friend’s parties, she’s been slightly obsessed ever since.”
“No offense, but that seems the norm.”
Eliza laughed. “Yeah, I know what you mean. They can be a bit pushy, even with me, if you can believe it.”
Ally frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Long story, but the gist of it is Keir helped me out of a rough patch with my family. My mother didn’t accept me and my lifestyle choice. So when she came to visit, he pretended to be my partner for the night.” Eliza winked. “My father is a client of XJ and a wonderful man who raised me. My mother is a socialite wannabe more interested in money than her family.”
“I’m sorry, but what does this have to do with me? Why are you explaining? I don’t know you and you certainly don’t know me after all.”
“No, but I’d like to. Nena and I spend a bit of time with Keir, and we don’t want things to be awkward. And from what
I’ve heard and seen, I think you are a perfect fit for him.”
“For him? And who is Nena?” Ally asked in exasperation.
“Him is Keir and Nena is my wife.” Eliza chuckled. “I’m saying I approve of you and Keir. I think you fit well together is all. Now hurry up and get back out there before those vultures descend on your man.”
Ally groaned. “He’s not mine. I only came here for dinner and happened to run into him.”
“That’s not what you just told the chick who tried to intimidate you but ran out of here scared shitless.”
“He’s not mine though,” she sighed. As much as she’d assured the other woman he was.
“Just keep telling yourself that, honey.”
Ally didn’t reply, she turned on her heel and headed back to her table to say good night. She’d had enough excitement for one night. It was time to head home and curl up with a good book and forget the sex god known as Keir.
“Hey,” Keir called as Ally approached the table. “You look upset, what happened?”
“Nothing, I’m fine. I just want the check so I can go home.”
Keir whistled softly. “Those happen to be two of the scariest words in the dictionary when said by a woman.”
“What are you talking about?” Ally snapped in frustration. “What two words?”
“‘I’m fine,’” Keir replied. “My dad taught me that whenever a woman uses those words, my first reaction should be to apologize and buy chocolate, because somehow I’ve screwed up.”
Ally couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped at his serious tone. “It wasn’t you. One of your ever-increasing number of let-down women cornered me in the bathroom. It pissed me off is all.”
Keir flinched at her words. “I’m so sorry. I swear, I—”
“Stop, there isn’t anything you can say. You didn’t send her in there and it’s not your fault they’re like rabid dogs with a bone. I just want to go home now.” Ally sighed in weary exhaustion.
“I paid for dinner. Thank you for joining me, it saved me a lot of turmoil and aggravation from unwanted female attention. Can I walk you to your car?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you for dinner. I had a mostly wonderful time. I’ll see you later.”
Ally rushed out of the restaurant without another word, her emotions all over the place. Stress, worry, and lust were starting to take a toll on her sanity. She laughed out loud and glanced around sheepishly as she realized what she’d just done. Yes, lust was definitely at the top of that list, which in turn caused her stress to escalate too. Keir was too tempting for her peace of mind.
Fifteen minutes later, she threw off her shoes and sprawled out lengthwise on her couch with a groan. How had her life spiraled so far out of control so quickly, she wondered as she glanced at the clock and sighed. It wasn’t too late to call her mom; she needed to hear her voice and remember where her priorities were right now, and they didn’t include a playboy, no matter how wet he made her.
“Hey, Mom,” Ally said softly with a gentle smile.
“Sweetheart, I was just thinking about you. How are things going, settling in okay?”
“Yes, and I’ll tell you all about it, but first, you. How are you? Have you heard anything from the doctors yet?”
Arlene sighed in resignation. “Ally, stop worrying about me. You’re going to put yourself in an early grave with all the stress you put on yourself.”
“Mom.” Ally growled in frustration. She hated when her mother stalled and tried to change the conversation.
“Fine. I’m doing the same. Doctors say they’re doing everything they can. There’s still room in the trial, but they can’t hold it for much longer. That man is as stubborn as you are, he refuses to listen and let someone else have the spot,” Arlene grumbled.
“Actually, I have some good news on that front,” Ally said as tears fell down her face. “I’ve got the money, or I will in a few days.”
“Ally Jane Fosey, what have you done?” Arlene scolded.
“Mom, calm down. Nothing illegal or immoral, I promise. You remember Josie, Xander’s mate I was telling you about? Well, she met him through matesforhire.com, which her friend runs. These men need a fake mate for one reason or another and they pay out the ass for the woman’s time. I signed up and just found out tonight I’ve been matched. We have enough for the treatment and some left over to hire a helper for you during the treatments.”
“Ally—” Arlene started to say before she broke off into a bout of coughing that left her breathless.
“Mom, don’t argue. Let me help. This might be your best shot and I will do absolutely anything to make sure you get to take it.”
“Your sister and brother could still come up with the money in time. You don’t have to do this.”
“Mom, we both know it’s not going to happen. Sara has her own family to support and she’s struggling. Maxton is MIA right now and we don’t know when he’ll be reachable again. I’ve left messages with his commanding officer and anyone else that would listen, but it’s the military and they run on their own time.”
“I know, honey, I just don’t like the idea of you taking chances like this. What if the guy’s a serial killer, or rapist, or even a self-absorbed, insecure ass that only wants toothpicks? Not all men can handle our curves. We’re big, beautiful, and luscious and that’s a lot for some men.”
Ally burst into laughter at her mom’s words. “I’m so lucky to have you for a mom. Not many mothers would have taught me to love my body like you did.”
“Size isn’t what matters in the world, I’ve told you that. It’s all about being healthy, smart, and proud of who you are. Men will see that and fall head over ass for you. At least the ones worth having will.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I know, baby. I love you too.”
CHAPTER 6
“Any word from Kingston yet?” Keir called as he sorted through the mail Bess handed him.
“Nothing. I’ll call again this morning,” she replied with a shrug.
“No, I’ll handle it.”
If he could only go back a few days and redo things, he would in a heartbeat. After all, what were the chances he’d sign up for his friend’s matchmaking site and then meet his mate the next day?
“Pick up, you overgrown housecat,” Keir grumbled in frustration as he listened to the phone ringing in his ear. Times like this he missed having a landline phone he could slam down. Jabbing the end button just didn’t cut it. Finally, Hawke’s clipped tones came on the phone, urging the caller to leave a message. Keir growled, “Answer the phone, this is my fourth call. I am desperate here and you are probably sitting on your cushioned couch in that luxurious office laughing at me and my pathetic pleading.” He paused and took a deep breath. He was losing his mind, that’s all there was to it. “Look, just please get my name off matesforhire.com.”
“Bro, what’s gotten into you? I could hear you growling from down the hall.”
Keir glanced up and frowned as his best friend and boss walked in the door. “Hawke isn’t answering and I’ve left four messages over the last few days.”
“What’s got your dander up?”
Keir rolled his eyes. “That’s the best you got? After all these years, that’s the first time you’ve thought of that one? Really?”
Xander laughed. “No, but just never felt like the right time to use it before now.”
“It’s still not, if you were wondering. What did you want anyway?”
“I wanted to see if you were set for dinner. Josie is excited and if it helps, Hawke’s supposed to be there too. You can get him to pull your name then. In the meantime, I’m dying to know, who are you bringing as your date? Did you actually get Ally to agree to go with you?”
“I haven’t even brought it up to her yet. I ran into her at Ricardo’s last night, and let’s just say I seem to take one step forward and fifteen backward every time I’m in her company.”
Xander flinched in sympat
hy. “How bad was it?”
“Two that I know of approached or made comments. I saw another three eyeing us from the bar area, but I don’t know if she noticed or not. Eliza stopped by as well.”
“Wow, yeah, I can see the problem. Well, I guess this isn’t going to help your mood any, but Josie and Shawna have decided to hook her up with a friend of theirs. I tried to convince them it was a bad idea, but they don’t believe me that you’re her mate.”
“Dammit to hell,” Keir growled out. “This is my punishment, isn’t it? All those years of meaningless sex with any woman I wanted and now the one I want, I can’t even get to give me the time of day.”
“She had dinner with you, that’s something. And just think of all those nights as practice so that you could blow your mate’s mind when she finally got in your bed.”
Keir grinned. “That’s a given.”
“Anyway, back to business. I’ve got that meeting this afternoon with the new investor. Have you had time to look over Ally’s proposal and if you did, what were your thoughts on it? We need to share it with Julia, but I wanted your input first.”
“I think it’s solid and a great plan, and by the way, I’m not telling Julia anything or going to lunch with her. That woman is scary as hell, she knows everything even before we do.”
Xander laughed but quickly sobered as he heard Julia’s voice from behind him.
“Should I be flattered or insulted?”
Keir winced. Damn. She’d caught them talking about her. They’d never hear the end of it now. “Fuck!”
“Bess, I do believe we surprised them,” Julia said with a cackle of amusement. “Xander, come give me a kiss. Keir, sit your pretty ass down, we need to talk.”
“Julia, I didn’t know you were coming today. What’s the occasion?” Xander asked as he moved to his grandmother’s side.
“I have to keep you on your toes, and besides, I’ve heard some things that I needed to see for myself.” Julia smiled and moved farther into the room. “Xander, if you and Josie are free, let’s have dinner tonight. But for now, I’m stealing Keir here for a little talk.”