The Big Alpha in Town

by Eve Langlais

  “If you’re not here to help me, then get the hell out,” Keir grumbled. “I’m already making an ass out of myself, I don’t need an audience to make it worse.”

  “What if I told you I came bearing gifts, or well, advice from the girls, which is basically the same thing?”

  Keir paused and cocked one eyebrow at his friend. “Great, are you telling me they know I’m freaking out too?”

  “I doubt it, they just hoped. I believe Josie’s words were something to the effect that after years and years of not caring what women thought, you’ve finally got one that matters. You’ve never worried about making a good impression on them, they literally fall at your feet and worship you. Ally isn’t doing that and it’s probably making you ape-shit crazy.”

  Keir couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. “She’s got that right. I love women, all women, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve never once had to convince one to give me a chance until now.”

  “She says to wear your most comfortable, but nice, jeans. No holes or rips, and your blue button-down shirt. She says, and I’m quoting here so don’t say one freaking word or I’ll hurt you, that ‘the blue brings out your eyes and makes them shine’ or something stupid like that,” Xander grumbled.

  “Thanks, man, I know that probably wasn’t easy for you.” Keir struggled not to laugh at the disgruntled expression on his friend’s face.

  “The shit we do for our mates, I swear,” Xander grumbled as he waved and left the room. “See you tonight,” he called, knowing Keir with his sensitive shifter hearing would hear him no problem.

  He really did have the best people in his life, he couldn’t ask for better or more supportive people. Keir glanced at his watch and smiled, time to get cleaned up and dressed. He had a stop to make before he could see Ally and he didn’t want to waste any time getting back to his mate.

  CHAPTER 9

  Ally turned from side to side, viewing herself in the mirror from every possible angle as she weighed the decision. This was her favorite of all the outfits she’d picked out, but she wasn’t sure if it was the right choice. The dress was a casual one she’d picked up one day, but she’d quickly discovered it to be one of her favorites.

  The black capped sleeves contrasted perfectly with the tight red-and-black-swirled bodice. A belt of silver loops draped around her middle leaving the rest of the black bottom to flair out, giving a small peak to her legs from the slit that ran up the right side.

  She stepped into her black ballet shoes and sighed happily. A silver heart pendant necklace her mother had given her and the outfit was perfect. She was as ready as she was going to get.

  The doorbell rang and Ally took a deep breath, it was time to face Keir after the soul-searing kiss he’d given her earlier. She was so not ready for this; she had one goal. To get him out of her apartment and away from temptation as quickly as possible. The couch, beds, and well, any flat surface was too close for her comfort. Her willpower was shot for the day.

  Ally stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath, hoping it would fortify her resolve. The resolve that went up in smoke the minute she opened the door and saw Keir standing there with a dozen red roses and a stuffed lion holding a heart. She bit her lip and smiled at the gorgeous man standing in front of her with a soft smile and lust flashing in his eyes.

  “You smell amazing,” she whispered as she stepped back to let him into her apartment.

  “Thank you. You look mouthwatering.”

  Ally blushed and squeezed her thighs together as she felt herself grow moist at the need that infused every word he spoke.

  “Are those for me?”

  Keir nodded and handed them to her. “You smell as delicious as you look.”

  “Let me go put these in water,” Ally stammered as she turned and raced from the doorway. She needed a minute to get herself under control. He was insanely gorgeous, smelled like the outdoors, pine, and man, and good enough to eat. Ally stopped beside the sink and took a deep breath. “Get yourself under control, girl, you can do this,” she said quietly in the hopes of giving herself a pep talk.

  “I’ve been saying the same thing to myself since the moment I met you. Control seems to be the one thing I lack lately,” Keir whispered from behind her.

  Ally stiffened but didn’t turn around. Her need was too great to face him at the moment. “We need to get out of here. I don’t want to be late for my own dinner party,” she responded weakly.

  “I know. I’m going downstairs; just meet me when you’re ready. I don’t think I can stand in here alone with you and resist temptation. Not when I can smell how much you want me, and see how fast your heart is beating whenever I get close to you.”

  Ally didn’t respond, her words were locked in her throat as she tried to swallow around her suddenly dry mouth. She was tempted beyond belief to make a side trip into the bathroom and insert her ben wa balls. If she didn’t get some kind of stimulation soon, she’d go insane.

  She turned and glanced down the hallway, to the right was her front door and Keir, to the left her toys. She’d never thought she’d be debating this while getting ready to head out to meet her friends.

  That thought did it. Her friends and their heightened senses, no way in hell did she need to be anymore aroused all night with them all around than she was already going to be with Keir so close by.

  Before she could change her mind, she grabbed her purse and raced out of the apartment. Temptation was everywhere and it was trying to trap her; the most tempting part was leaning against his car smiling at her with a grin promising wicked delights in his arms.

  “You ready, beautiful?”

  Ally smiled and stepped closer. She watched as Keir closed his eyes and fisted his hands.

  “This is going to be a long car ride, baby.”

  “Then I hate to ask this, but can we make a quick stop? I don’t want to arrive empty-handed.”

  Keir smiled. “For you, anything. Besides, I didn’t say I was going to enjoy the ride, just that it was going to be long.”

  Ally smiled and waited as he opened the car door and helped her slide in. The smooth interior was as sexy as its owner. Sleek, polished, and gorgeous. Keir climbed in and winked. “Buckle up.”

  She almost came as the car started up, a sexy purr that sent vibrations coursing through her body. Yup, just like its owner.

  “Where do you want to stop?” Keir asked softly as he gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled hands.

  “Anywhere is fine. I’m not sure what to bring, honestly. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “There’s always the customary wine, but what about something a little different? I’m sure a lot of people will bring that. I know they are having this catered and they have a cleaning lady, but what about something for breakfast? If I know Xander and Josie at all, they will stay up late picking up and setting the house to rights. What if we stop by the store, grab a basket, and then hit the bakery? We can load it up with scones, donuts, croissants, and things like that.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed. That’s a fantastic idea and something different. I know I’d appreciate that in their place. Especially after being up late the night before, to wake up and have a ready-made breakfast.”

  Keir smiled. “I’m not just a pretty face, you know, I have some good qualities.”

  “Pretty, my ass,” Ally grumbled under her breath, forgetting about his superior hearing for a moment until he burst into laughter and winked at her.

  “Your ass is gorgeous, baby. Want me to tell you the things I’ve dreamed of doing to it?”

  Ally swallowed audibly. “No, please don’t.”

  She was so stupid to think she could be in the closed confines of his car and not want to rub all over him until she came, screaming. His smell was intensified in the small space, she couldn’t help but shift and try to give herself some relief from the throbbing that was taking over her body.

  “So, Ally, distract me, please,” Keir said as he breathed
heavily through his flared nostrils. “I’m fighting to stay in control and whatever it is you’re thinking about is killing me here.”

  “Oh, sorry. Um, okay,” she stammered as she tried to think of something to say as her mind emptied. “Well, how come I never met you before moving here? Xander I knew and I’ve heard of you from my brother and sister and even Xander, but why haven’t I met you? You were at the house all the time growing up, after all.”

  “I asked the same thing actually. I didn’t know you existed until just before Xander met Josie. I knew Sara, but I didn’t know there was another sister. I’m still wondering if it was a conspiracy.”

  Ally laughed in delighted humor. “Not so much. I’m the youngest, by the time I came around my parents had learned quickly how wild my siblings were. They were working all the time trying to make the business a success and it was better for me to go to boarding school. I loved the idea of it and, actually, I asked to go. I learned so much, traveled the world with my friends and their families and I saw my family all the time. I really couldn’t have asked for a better childhood.”

  “How did you meet Xander?”

  “I came home one summer and he was there pretty much all the time. They told me stories of you and the adventures you all went on, but you were away that summer with your father. It was just after your mother got sick, I believe. After that I wasn’t home as much as I was spending more and more time in school and you were with your family making the most of the time you had left with her.”

  “I understand that, but how come they didn’t ever tell me about you? It’s like they kept you a secret from me.”

  “Maybe it was just nothing more than you were preoccupied with everything going on in your life. I bet they did, you just don’t remember since we’d never met. I was just an abstract mention in a teenage mind filled with grief and all the other things boys your age were obsessed with.”

  “I guess so. I know you have a degree in marketing, but what else can you tell me about yourself? I want to know everything I can.”

  “You’d be bored within minutes. I don’t do much but work, take care of my mom as much as I can, read, and hang out with my friends.”

  “Take care of your mom?”

  “She’s dying of a rare form of cancer. There’s a trial coming up that I’m desperately trying to get her in, but it’s a waiting game at this point. Insurance doesn’t cover it, and they can only do so much.”

  “I’m sorry,” Keir whispered softly. “I know how it is to lose a parent and be helpless like that.”

  Ally smiled sadly. “How’s your dad doing anyway?”

  “He’s good. Grumpy as ever, he’s pushing me to take over at the bank. He lost his sense of smell a few years back and he’s afraid someone will take advantage.”

  “You don’t want to?”

  “I do, I’ve always known that’s where I’d end up. I just don’t like to be pushed into doing something that he’s still capable of. He wants me to settle down, start a family. He doesn’t care if it’s my mate or not. He settled and was content with my mother. I don’t want to settle.”

  Ally didn’t respond, she wasn’t sure what to say. She understood what he was saying and she could see his point, but going out with a different woman and having sex every night was not the answer.

  “You want to go to the bakery there and I’ll run next store and get the basket?” Keir asked with a questioning smile as Ally stared out the window, lost in thought.

  “Sure, that’s perfect. I’ll see you in a minute,” she said as she climbed out of the car, still thinking about his last comment.

  The bakery smelled wonderful even this early in the evening, the smell of fresh bread and pastries making her stomach growl.

  “Hi and welcome. What can I get for you?” an older woman behind the counter called out as Ally walked in.

  “Hello. Everything looks and smells amazing.”

  “Tastes good too, if I do say so myself. It’s why I have a few extra curves after all. I can’t resist my own cooking.”

  Ally laughed and surveyed the options. So many choices to choose from.

  “Anything particular you’re interested in?”

  “My friend and I are going to a dinner party. We thought we’d buy some baked goods for them to have for breakfast. Figured the last thing they’d want to do tomorrow is cook after hosting everyone.”

  The lady beamed. “I know exactly what you mean. I think it’s a terrific idea. You know, I have some breakfast goodies in the back. Let me go gather some for you. We’ll make that basket full of goodies. You’ll be their favorite guests hands down, I promise you that.”

  “Thank you, that would be wonderful,” Ally said with genuine warmth and laughter ringing in her words.

  “Why don’t you have a piece of my newest cake while I gather them up? You can give me feedback; this is my first day serving it after all.”

  Ally accepted the chocolate cake with delight and moved to a table. She’d taken one bite when the ding of the door rang and she glanced up, expecting Keir to walk in. Instead, a brown-haired vixen glided in and headed straight for her.

  “So you’re the one I’ve been hearing so much about.”

  Ally frowned in confusion. “Excuse me?”

  “Keir’s newest … friend.”

  “I assume you’re one of his numerous conquests.”

  The lady laughed heartily. “You could say that. We had fun, but we both knew it was only for the night.”

  “Why are you here then?” Ally asked curiously as she took a bite and moaned at the delicious flavors that exploded in her mouth.

  “I wanted to meet you for myself. It takes a special person to capture his attention. I was curious.”

  Ally didn’t say anything, just continued eating and staring at the woman until Keir walked in a few moments later.

  “Carissa,” he cried in delight. “It’s been forever. How are you?”

  “Fantastic. I just stopped in to see my aunt and saw your … friend step in here. I wanted to say hello.”

  Keir smiled at Carissa and turned to Ally. “I got the basket … are you eating cake?” he asked, flabbergasted.

  Ally smiled. “She offered and it smelled so amazing. Who was I to say no to that? Try a bite, I promise you won’t be disappointed.” Ally held up a forkful, devilish delight dancing in her eyes.

  Keir narrowed his eyes playfully but gave in and leaned forward, taking the bite from her hands. “Holy hell, that is fantastic.”

  “Told you.” Ally smirked before turning her attention back to Carissa and smiling.

  “So it is true after all. I’m glad,” Carissa murmured as she winked at Ally. “Keir, I like her. I’ve got to run. Take care and I’ll see you around.”

  Ally waited until the door had shut before glancing up to Keir. “Another of your women? This is getting old quick.”

  Keir frowned but knew he couldn’t say much. It was true, no matter where they went they were accosted by one of them. So far they’d been lucky and things had been civil, but he knew there were a few out there that weren’t going to be like that.

  “Son, give me the basket and I’ll get you all loaded up,” the shopkeeper announced as she came back into the room. “I think your friends are going to be very happy with the selection I’ve put together.”

  “After the taste of that cake I just had, I have no doubt of that at all,” Keir called back as he moved to the counter and pulled out his wallet.

  “I’ve got this, you bought the basket,” Ally cried as she raced to the counter to stop him from paying.

  “Nonsense. A gentleman never lets a lady pay in his presence.” Keir gently nudged Ally before turning his attention back to the baker.

  “You two are so sweet together, what a wonderful match you are.”

  Ally started to protest, but Keir cut her off and thanked the lady for her kind words. He paid for their baked goods, left a generous tip, and headed out. “Come on, we don�
�t want to be too late to your own party.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” Ally asked softly a few minutes later as they were driving toward Xander and Josie’s house.

  “Sure, ask me anything.”

  “You said you didn’t want to settle like your father.”

  “Yes,” Keir responded hesitantly, not sure where she was going with this.

  “Is that why all the different women?”

  CHAPTER 10

  He’d figured this would come up at some point. He just hadn’t expected it so soon. This was the first time she’d gone out with him, even if it hadn’t been proposed as a date, it was damn close to it.

  “I love women, the way they smell, the way they look, every shape and size. I like sex; okay, I love sex. I’ve always been upfront with the woman I’m with. It’s a no-strings, one-night affair. A way to mutually satisfy our needs, and before you ask, no, I haven’t slept with every one of the women I was with. I love their company, so I chose to spend my free time with as many of them as I could. Sometimes we’d go out to dinner, sometimes we’d just hang out and talk. Some of them I slept with.”

  Keir sighed and tried to come up with the words to explain. “My father settled and married a woman that wasn’t his mate. I didn’t agree, but I understood it. Not everyone finds their mate. I don’t want to settle for less than my full match, the one person made for me. At the same time, I didn’t want to give up spending time and, yes, sleeping with women until I found her. I made sure that no matter what, they knew they weren’t going to keep me, that it was temporary.”

  Ally sighed. “I think I get it, Keir. It’s okay. I just wish they would stop attacking. I’ve done nothing wrong and for them to confront me and warn me off you is ridiculous. I don’t own you, I didn’t make you turn them down.”

  Keir cursed and gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I know, I’m sorry, I didn’t want that to happen either.”

  “It’s fine, just a bit annoying. I’m not a threat to them. They need to understand that,” Ally continued as if he hadn’t said anything.