Red Hot Alphas: 11 Novels of Sexy, Bad Boy, Alpha Males (Red Hot Boxed Sets Book 2)

by Jo Raven

  Ryker gives me a little grin and nods. He stabs at his salad. “I never expected to see her in a sporting goods store that’s for sure.”

  “Ryker, did you finish college?” My mom cuts in.

  “No. I didn’t even attempt it. After school, I already had a sponsor and a few medals under my belt. Skateboarding was the only thing on my mind.” He furrows his brow. “But don’t get me wrong. I think college is a great thing.”

  I add some salad to my bowl and look away from my mother.

  “We always thought so. And we thought Savy did too--until now,” my father says.

  “Can we not do this right now?” I sigh. “Oh, and just so you know, I now have a paying job.”

  My dad focuses on me. “What exactly are you doing?”

  Ryker tosses his own words in. “She’s working for Jackson Luckman. That’s pretty impressive.”

  “Luckman,” Ben says. “Oh wow. That’s a great opportunity, Savy.”

  I nod. “It’s going well so far.”

  “Luckman is a very successful man. He comes from a well-respected family,” my mother says, making sure Ryker hears.

  “As opposed to Ryker and his skateboarding career is that what you’re saying, mother?” I set my fork down and shake my head.

  Ryker touches my arm. “I don’t think she’s saying that at all.”

  My dad sits back in his seat. “Let’s cut the shit. We know why we’re here. So why not get it all out on the table.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Ryker says. “I don’t think this could get any more awkward if we tried.”

  “Four years ago you almost took my daughter’s life, and I am still very angry about that.” My dad’s jaw is tight. “Savy might not understand, but the best place for you was far away from me at that time.”

  Ryker won’t look at him. “Oh, believe me, I know.”

  “So your parents agreed to resolve the situation?”

  Ryker’s leg starts bouncing. I can see the agitation building in him. “Yes. They agreed to ruin my life, along with you.”

  I swallow. I can’t believe he just said that.

  “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way,” my father sits forward. “Maybe when you have a kid of your own, you’ll understand just what parents will do to protect their children.”

  I jump when Ryker slams his fist down on the table. He gets up, shakes his head, and takes off out the door.

  I glare at my dad and take off after Ryker. I run through the hallway and throw open the front door, afraid he’s already gone. But he’s not, he’s sitting on the porch steps.

  I take a spot next to him. “I thought you left.”

  “You know, I really wanted to punch him back there.”

  I drop my head on his shoulder. “I know.”

  “I thought this was going to change things. But now I see it changes nothing.”

  I don’t say anything. I just let him talk.

  “I would never hurt you intentionally. And as much as I want to be angry with him, I’m not. Because you really are an important part of so many people’s lives. And I almost ruined that.” He takes my hand. “So, I guess we can agree the accident was awful. I just wish he would realize that I never meant to hurt you.”

  The door squeaks. “I think I can respect that.”

  I turn. My mom leans down and squeezes Ryker’s shoulder. “He’s a stubborn man, Ryker, but he loves her.”

  Ryker nods. “Who can blame him?” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Arnold. I hope you know that.”

  “I do now. And that’s all that matters.” She stands back up. “Now come inside and eat. That’s what you’re here for.”

  Chapter 11

  “So, what did you think?” I ask Ryker once we’re out of my parents’ house and walking down the sidewalk to my car.

  “I think your mother likes me.”

  I grab his arm.

  “So does my dad,” I assure him.

  “I couldn’t tell. He barely said two words to me.”

  “He barely says two words to anyone.” I climb in on my side and wait for him to get in on his side. He still has that worried look on his face. “I’m serious, I think they have a different view on things now.”

  My phone plinks. And Ryker sighs. “Is that your boss again?”

  I shrug. “I’ll check later.” I take his hand and squeeze. “Thank you for tonight.”

  He strokes my hair. “No problem, beautiful.”

  I pull out of the driveway. The dinner wasn’t by any means perfect. And Ryker’s right, my father said barely two words to him. But he put up with him, and that said a lot. He’s a hard ass, and if anyone can make it through dinner, then chances are they may have a little bit of my dad’s respect.

  “You know I have to leave tomorrow.” He plays with my hand as I drive, linking our fingers together and rubbing my knuckles with his thumb. “And I don’t want you worrying about what you’re doing here while I’m gone.”

  I look at him. “I don’t know what that means.”

  “I mean if you want to bang your boss, I’m not going to be mad.”

  “I wasn’t worried about you being mad.” I refuse to let him feel he has a right to tell me what I can or can’t do. But I also don’t want to admit that I’m even considering being with Jackson.

  “I don’t date girls because I can’t be there like I need to.”

  “Do you date boys?” I smirk throwing on my blinker.

  “Shut up.” He sighs. “I don’t date anyone because it wouldn’t be fair to them when I’m hardly ever around.”

  “Seems insensitive for you to assume that’s what every girl would feel.”

  “Sav, don’t act like you don’t know what I mean.”

  “Ryker, I do know what you mean. You’re trying to tell me that if I was to sleep with my boss it wouldn’t bother you. And I am telling you that I don’t need an okay to do anything that I want to do because you are not my boyfriend. But I also expect you to not interfere with what I think is right.”

  “Sav, I don’t want you to hold back.”

  Most girls would be upset with that, but if Ryker is willing to let me explore, I’m fine with that. “And I won’t.”

  “As long as you’re still willing to hang out when I come into town.”

  “Of course.” I squeeze his hand. “Always. I just got you back. I wouldn’t leave you now.”

  He grins. “Make sure you let your boss know that. Because I have a feeling that soon he won’t want to let you go.”

  ***

  Sophie taps the counter where I’m sitting with a bowl of soup.

  “I’m pretty sure that soup is cold by now.” She tilts her head looking me over. “Are you okay?”

  I don’t know where to start. “Do you think it’s possible to be involved with two men at the same time without feelings getting hurt?”

  Sophie scratches at her brow. “Men are wired to think with their dicks.”

  “So you think it is?”

  “I think anything is possible. As long as they’re getting what they want when they want it, all is well.” She points a finger at me. “The first time they’re deprived of what they so desperately want, all will go to shit.”

  I can’t say that I don’t agree. “Ryker is and always will be the sweetest boy I’ve ever known. But there is something about Jackson…I just feel his passion.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you’ll feel his passion,” she says winking at me.

  I take my bowl to the sink. “So you don’t think it would be wrong to explore my options?”

  Sophie snorts. “Are you kidding me? You are twenty-one years old. That is the only thing you should be doing right now.”

  Ryker did say he wasn’t going to be angry with me. He pretty much gave his full approval. If there was ever a definition of fuck buddies, we for sure defined it the other day on the car ride home.

  “I’ll see you later,” I tell her. I have another meeting with Jackson,
and I plan on making it to this one.

  ***

  Jackson adjusts his tie, swiveling in his chair as the men across from us talk numbers for the old department store we saw the other day. His Dad had other plans for the day, so he left the work to Jackson. So, I was doing my best to take notes. But nothing that I was hearing seemed worth writing down. It was more back and forth about products and what would bring profit for all involved.

  I yawn, covering my mouth. I look at Jackson, and he smirks. And then nudges my foot with his leather dress shoe. I nudge him back keeping my eyes on the paper. He takes the tablet and slips a pen from his inner jacket pocket. And scrawls something on the paper.

  He slides the paper across the table, and I drop my chin to my palm reading it over.

  I can think of a lot of things a whole lot more fun than this meeting.

  Like? I slide the paper back and smile at the men talking, pretending I am truly amused by what they just said.

  He slides it back. Use your imagination.

  I think it would be more fun if you just told me.

  He scoots closer, his leg pressing against me. It’s hot, and I lean closer.

  “What do you say, Mr. Luckman?” one of the men ask.

  Jackson straightens up in his chair. He clears his throat, running a hand through his hair. “I say absolutely.”

  The men stand. “Well, that was a lot easier than I imagined.”

  I’m not quite sure what just happened.

  “We’ll have our secretary draw up the papers.” They leave us sitting in the giant conference room alone.

  I look at Jackson. “Did you just buy that place for what they were asking for?”

  He drops back in his chair. “I think I just did.”

  “What are you going to do?” I drop my pen and look at him.

  He grabs the arm of my chair and pulls me closer. “I’m going to sign the papers so we can get out of here and do something fun.”

  “You need to take this more serious. I don’t think your father wants you spending more money than you should be on this property.” I push my hair behind my ear. “Maybe you should say something.”

  He shakes his head. “Look at you trying to think about the bigger picture. It’s fine. He would have paid anything they asked for it.”

  I lean closer and watch him fidget with his pen. “If it’s any consolation, I think you pulled it off. They had no idea you didn’t know what they were talking about.”

  The men come back. I sit back and let Jackson work his magic. He assures them the property is going to be in good hands and tells them about his hopes and dreams for the area. He smiles and nods and signs the paperwork. Before I know it, we’re done and heading across the parking lot to his car.

  “You hungry?” he asks when we’re both seated.

  I buckle my seat belt. “Not really.”

  “You want me to drop you off at home?”

  I shake my head. “I have to get my car from the shelter.”

  “That’s right.” He starts the car up. “You sure you don’t want something to eat?”

  An awkward silence fills the car. I purse my lips, an intense heat surging through me at the thoughts going on inside my head. The only thing I want him to do is kiss me.

  “I took care of the thing.” His eyes hold mine.

  He raises his eyebrow.

  “There is no thing. I am a completely single girl, free to do whatever she wants.” My cheeks ignite in embarrassment.

  He brushes my bottom lip with his thumb. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”

  He moves in toward me and presses a kiss against my cheek, but doesn’t pull away. I touch his hand, giving my silent approval for him to continue. He moves even closer, as he slowly kisses me. Soft kisses are exchanged at first and then they deepen. He explores my mouth with his tongue. He’s a good kisser. I move closer to him and pull him in to me, my lips crashing against his.

  We continue to press and push against the other, our bodies throbbing and pounding as lust pulses through my veins. I grasp his hair as I pull him closer, and he eases forward and presses me against the steering wheel.

  He bites my bottom lip. When the horn sounds, ending our heated moment, we both laugh. My lips are throbbing and chafed from rubbing against the stubble on his face.

  He kisses my hand pressing his forehead into my arm and sighs. “Goddammit.”

  I stroke his hair. “What?”

  “You’re killing me.” We both look down to see the bulge in his slacks.

  I kiss him on the cheek. “Maybe we should get lunch.”

  ***

  I shake two packets of sugar and catch Jackson staring at me from across the table.

  “What?”

  He settles back in his chair. “I want to know about you.”

  I shrug, stirring my tea. “What would you like to know?”

  “I want to know what makes Savy tick.”

  I laugh. “Seems like a very odd question.”

  “It’s odd to want to know more about you?” He touches his chin. “What scares you the most in life?”

  I hesitate. “The same things that scare everyone else.”

  “You’re dodging.” He purses his lips and leans forward. “Come on, this is fun. It’s called getting to know one another.” He raises his glass.

  “Well, I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know or you never thought about it?” He crosses his arms. “I’ll tell you what I’m afraid of most. I’m afraid of never falling in love.”

  I hold back the eye roll.

  “And I know what you’re probably thinking. You think I’m trying out some smooth line on you now that we’ve shared a kiss.” He lifts his chin. “You think maybe this is my way of trying to get in your pants.”

  I cup my hands around my mug and bring it up to my lips and blow. “I never said that. I just think people worry way too much about love and finding the one, if you want to know the truth.”

  He smirks. “Oh damn. You really don’t hold back, do you?”

  “You look like you can take it.” I swallow down my tea. “Anyway, I don’t believe love only happens once in a lifetime. Call me crazy, but I think a person can fall for anyone, given the right circumstances.”

  “That sounds like something from someone who’s had their heart broken.”

  I don’t want to go there, so I stop him. “I thought I loved someone when I was in high school; he slept with my friend. Turns out I wasn’t meant to live the rest of my life with the first guy I slept with. So I moved on and learned from it.”

  “What did you learn?”

  “I learned to not be so stupid.” I cross my arms. “I learned what it felt like to have someone play with my emotions. And, most importantly, I learned I don’t like people dictating how I’m supposed to feel.”

  Jackson drops his gaze away from me.

  “I want you to fall for me.” He drops an elbow on the table and stares me down.

  What can I say to that? I shake my head, looking away from him.

  “Take a chance and fall for me, Savy. If love is everything you say it is, then maybe I’m the one for you.”

  I look at him and roll my eyes. “That’s just stupid.”

  “You had a thing—another guy--what if he’s the one?” He taps the table, getting my attention. “What if he’s not? I dare you to let me get to you.”

  I shake my head. “This isn’t funny. What are you trying to prove?”

  “What do you have to lose?”

  “My dignity,” I shrug.

  Jackson smirks, shaking his head at me. “No sex. Sex is not part of the deal. Sex is the reward if I can do it.”

  I laugh loud enough for the entire place to hear. I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but if he knew anything about me, he’d know I don’t back down to a challenge.

  “Fine. And if you lose, what do I get?” I look him over.

  “Whatever you want.”

&nb
sp; I extend a hand, and he shakes his head. “No. No handshakes. I want you to kiss me.”

  Before I can object, he climbs out of the booth and slides in beside me.

  “I can’t even describe the way I feel right now,” I tell him. “but it’s not good.”

  I stroke his face and move in to plant my lips on his. He doesn’t move, but he doesn’t have to because I can’t keep my hands to myself. I run my fingers through his hair, butterflies bouncing around in my stomach. He finally joins in, fingers grazing my spine, slowly moving down to my backside.

  When someone in the restaurant cheers, I pull away, licking my lips.

  Jackson’s challenge has suddenly become very interesting.

  Chapter 12

  I can hear talking coming from the other room, so I get up.

  I open my door and head down the hallway trying to figure out what Sophie is so amused by.

  “And, she is awake,” Jackson says.

  I immediately look down at my underwear and tank top. He isn’t who I imagined would be there.

  “You have got to be kidding me.” I mess with my hair.

  “I brought you breakfast.”

  Sophie grins. “He brought you breakfast.” She wags her eyebrows from behind Jackson.

  Jackson smiles, and I’m immediately reminded how handsome he is; how chiseled and perfect his face is. And how we had eagerly kissed each other like hungry animals the other day. And here I stand in my pajamas looking like crap.

  I rake a hand through my hair and sigh. “Thank you.”

  Jackson walks over to the island in Sophie’s kitchen. He lifts a coffee. “And coffee. I brought you some of that, too.”

  Sophie nods. “I am totally impressed right now.”

  “You would be.” I accept the coffee and the kiss he puts on my cheek. “I see you two met each other.”

  “Yes, we did.” Sophie collects her things. “And I wish I could stay and watch this game play out but I have to be to work.”

  Jackson watches Sophie quickly shove all her things into her purse.

  “Goodbye, Sophie.”