7 Degrees of Alpha: a collection of seven new BWWM, Alpha Male Romances

by Allen, Sara

  Half an hour later, everything had been removed from the SUV. Ant and Chris divvied up blankets, did rock, paper, scissors to see who would get the bed, and crashed. Both of them drifted into sleep with furrowed brows, stressed.

  *****

  Time passed. The night was troubled.

  Anthony was contemplating driving off first thing in the morning with Chris and leaving Melvin.

  Chris was wondering if he was going to have to kill somebody. He wasn’t going to jail. One miserable stint was enough. He would be damned if he let Melvin get him caught or Anthony sneak off. They’d better recognize. It was about to be all for one and one for all. If not, two dead for one free suited him just fine.

  The day’s events had completely wrecked them. Tomorrow would be soon enough to figure out what to do with their chemicals, how to rescue their comrades without getting themselves arrested, and where they were going next. Details were beyond what they could handle at the moment. It was enough that they weren’t in jail awaiting arraignment on felony charges. Their sleep was wretched and marked by mutterings and jerky movements as if running. Except for Melvin. He slept like a drunken sailor with deep snores punctuated by occasional farts. The negative energy of their dreams was powerful and wide.

  The late night crept to early morning. Two cabins were occupied by people dreaming about skin and pleasure. Their heated energy meeting across the lake created frenzied dreams of sex which somehow seemed dangerous. Serenity was unsettled. Craig’s inner sixth sense alerted.

  Transference of energy. It’s real.

  The lake, an unblinking eye, gazed up into the heavens and reflected the light of a rising, pale sun.

  Chapter Four

  Thursday

  Serenity

  Serenity’s eyes popped open at her usual wake-up time of six o’clock. She didn’t feel like getting out of the bed, so she grabbed a book from the top of her to-read list. She was warm and cozy and decided to read until the sun actually rose. Once there was light outside, she would make herself a light breakfast and a pot of coffee, then sit outside and read at the edge of the lake.

  Serenity had spent about ninety minutes in the cocoon of her bed with only the warm glow of the bedside lamp and her book for company. A grumbling tummy forced her to the kitchen. She quickly made herself a delicious spinach and bacon frittata and a pot of coffee. She had opted for a flavored gourmet blend rather than her usual Colombian. Vacation didn’t require quite as big a caffeine boost.

  After eating, she poured an embarrassingly large travel mug of coffee and made her way to the lake’s edge. It took just a couple of moments for her to organize her little area—captain’s chair, collapsing table, huge quilt, and her backpack full of books. The morning had dawned misty and beautiful. The sun was putting on a show. Serenity had missed it. She had noticed the man across the lake when she came out of the door, but she’d been more concerned with carrying all of her stuff so she hadn’t paid him much attention. Now that she was comfortably settled under her quilt, coffee nearby, and book ready to open, she was unable to govern her eyes.

  He was beautiful. The dock across the lake was occupied by an extremely large man who appeared to be in his early forties. He was over six feet tall. His shoulders were incredibly wide, almost cartoonish. His chest was deep and covered in a nice dusting of brown hair. His biceps appeared to be carved from granite, and his hands were so big she wondered if one would wrap all the way around her calf. He obviously wasn’t one of those guys who only worked his upper body, because his thighs and calves were just as solid and well developed as his arms and chest. He was tan. The only thing she couldn’t tell was what color his eyes were. Of course, if she got caught looking that hard she would be embarrassed. She was embarrassed anyway. By the time she finished her long look, she was clenching her thighs and taking note of the warmth pooling between them. Goodness girl, she thought to herself. You need to get out more. You almost got naked and swam over to make his acquaintance. Simmer down.

  The problem was she couldn’t simmer down. Each time he changed his position, her scandalous eyes and nasty mind conspired against her intentions to read. Tree pose had her ogling his crotch. Down dog had her thinking about him going down dog on her pussy. His flow through to upward facing dog had her thinking about deep strokes. Side plank made her want to lick his abs. She finally gave up trying to read and just stared. He was clearly putting on a show. She had no problem watching until he finished his practice and was rolling up his mats. Mats, plural…he was too long for one. She applauded. He obviously didn’t mind her ogling because he took a little bow before turning back to his home. Serenity took his absence as an opportunity to quiet her apparently very horny self and resume reading.

  Not long after she had settled into the story and was sipping her coffee, she heard a boat’s motor start. Her heart jumped in her throat, and butterflies danced in joyful circles in her tummy. He’s coming over here! Oh my God. Oh my God! Calm down, Serenity. Her body paid her no mind. Her pussy was practically dancing. Her nipples were hard and tingling. She was getting wet just at the notion of that big old fine specimen of a grown-ass man coming across the lake.

  “Oh, please don’t be married or gay. Please,” she beseeched the Universe. She knew he was the opposite of every man she had ever found attractive. Serenity preferred her men slim, under six feet tall, and bookish. Having been stuck at two inches under five feet since eighth grade, she had never understood why other women were so into behemoths. That just seemed like too much man to have on, over, and in her body. She wasn’t built for that.

  That might have been the case before this morning. But right now she wanted that man in the worst way, and if he would act even halfway decent, she was going to find out what all the fuss was about concerning big men. Hell, it was her vacation. She had planned to spend it reading. Sexing a fine man was not a fail. It was an upgrade.

  “Shit! He’s docking. Calm down! Act like you’ve got some sense,” she whispered to herself.

  Craig

  Craig was in his extra room working up a sweat. He was feeling twitchy and he didn’t like it. The night had ended with a perfectly acceptable jerk and spurt. He had gone to bed feeling a bit more relaxed, but still energized by the notion of meeting his temporary neighbor the next day. At some point during the night, his dreams had turned from scenes of him climbing atop a small chocolate woman and riding her into a moaning frenzy, to ones of stress, fighting, and fear. He had been in the service long enough to know that whenever he felt like this, he needed to be extra vigilant. It was confusing, though. There was no one here but the world’s smallest vacationer. She didn’t look like trouble, at least not like the dangerous kind. Still, he felt a sense of urgency about going to check on her. Maybe it was just some old, leftover sense of awareness, but he had learned long ago not to question his sixth sense. It had saved his ass more times than he could count. There was no point in ignoring it now.

  Without any real conscious thought, Craig decided something was coming…something bad. He wasn’t concerned, though. He might’ve been retired, but he was ready. He stayed that way. The US Army had a way of training the gentle right out of a man.

  Settling in for a long hard work out, he continued with the heavy bag. Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Next, he jumped rope until his body and his clothing were drenched with sweat. Pull-ups. Push-ups. Heavy ball. Rope work. When he looked around two hours later, his chest was heaving and energy level so high that he had to force himself to stop. He headed out to the dock he had expanded to stretch with some yoga positions before showering and scooting across the lake to meet her. His team had mocked him for the yoga exercises until they noticed his improved flexibility, and he’d had less frequency in injuries during training.

  While going through his routine, he could feel her eyes on him from across the lake. She was sitting at the lake’s edge, bundled up and sipping something from a mug. When he had finished his series of poses, he looked across and saw
her clapping. He gave a little bow and went in to shower. As soon as he cleaned up, he was going to boat over and meet her. He knew exactly how to make her acquaintance.

  Chapter Five

  Craig approached the woman bundled up to her ears in a quilt and oversized sweater. The red sweater had a hood and was obviously hand-knitted. She looked amazing in red. Her skin was a lovely pecan brown and luminous. Her eyes were big and round. She blinked slowly at him as he approached. Every bit of her was covered except her hands and face. The travel mug read, ‘Sip, suck or swallow, just don’t spill me’ in dark green letters. He already knew she was tiny, but up close and buried in a quilt, she seemed smaller than he imagined. He stopped when he was close enough for her to hear him.

  “Good morning,” Craig said.

  Serenity closed her eyes and practically purred. His deep voice rolled out and washed over her, like a caress. Opening her eyes, she said, “Good morning, yogi.”

  “Is it okay if I come over and introduce myself? I like to meet the folks who visit my lake.”

  Serenity offered her hand and said, “Serenity Blue. Please excuse my seat, this quilt is eight pounds of stitched squares and filling.”

  Closing the space between them, Craig engulfed her hand in his and they exchanged a handshake.

  The energy surge between them was unmistakable. Neither could turn their eyes away.

  “I’m Craig Smart,” he said. “Would you mind some company for a bit? I didn’t come empty-handed.”

  One eyebrow rose. “As long as you come in peace, I would be happy for your company.”

  “I do,” he said before turning back to his boat. He came back with a small lunch bag and a captain’s chair of his own.

  “I smelled your coffee across the lake and thought this might go well with it,” he said, unzipping his lunch bag after he was seated. From the bag he produced two paper saucers with brownies on them. “No nuts, in case you’re concerned,” he said as he offered one to her.

  “No allergies of any sort, I’m lucky to say.” She accepted the delicious-looking square of chocolate goodness.

  “This is the last of a batch I made earlier this week,” he said as they sat in a companionable silence eating.

  “You bake?”

  She didn’t sound shocked or disbelieving. Just curious. He liked that. “Actually, yes. I have for years. It relaxes me.”

  “What is your specialty?”

  At that question, Craig gave her the most wicked, narrow-eyed look. “My specialty isn’t crafted in the kitchen.”

  Serenity was in mid sip when he said that. Raising her eyebrow, she said, “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  Shrugging, Craig answered her with a grin. “My specialty is making a woman shiver, moan, and cum while my tongue is on her clit.”

  Sip. Grin. Sip.

  Right then, Serenity sent a silent, “Thank you,” to the Universe. Not gay. “Well, I’m sure your wife wouldn’t approve of you sharing that particular skill set,” she said, maintaining eye contact.

  With a bigger grin than the one before, he leaned in and said, “Wife? Oh, Serenity, I don’t have one of those.”

  Sip. Grin. Sip.

  Serenity did a little jig inside and shouted silently with all her hair follicles, “Thank you Universe! Thank you! I won’t waste this gift.”

  “You don’t say? Here I thought you were the living, breathing manifestation of every female fantasy ever. A big, strong, sexy husband who bakes delicious chocolate goods and eats pussy like he’s starving,” Serenity said.

  “Drop husband and substitute man, I’m that guy. Now, I came over to be friendly and invite you fishing. Interested in catching a little something?”

  “As long as you clean it, I will cook it.”

  “Are you willing to relinquish your blanket and go to the middle of the lake for some misty morning fishing?”

  “Absolutely.”

  With that said, Craig stood to help her gather up her things. He carried the quilt. Like a man with manners, he didn’t follow her inside the cabin. He waited at the steps. She deposited her stuff inside and then met him outside. She hesitated a bit at the doorway, looking at him. He was a big man and seeing him kind of made her feel a little nervous.

  Holding his hand out, he said, “Don’t worry. I don’t bite.” Smiling she took his hand and descended the steps. Once she was on the ground and looking up at him, he said, “Unless you tell me to.”

  There wasn’t really anything to say to that, so she just said, “I’m following you.”

  “No. Ladies first, always. That’s my motto. So, after you, Serenity.”

  They made their way to the boat, and he pulled out to the center of the lake. There were four fishing poles and bait in the boat. They spent the rest of the morning talking in low tones and laughing. They even caught a few fish. The little ones were thrown back, but the five big ones were stored for cleaning and cooking.

  “Well, it looks like you will be cooking,” Craig said to her as they were docking.

  Laughing, she said, “It does indeed. How do you want it? Seared or seared?”

  Sharing in the moment, Craig said, “I don’t know. Seared, maybe?”

  They shared a few minutes of chatter as Craig quickly cleaned the fish over the side of the boat.

  “I’m surprised you aren’t more squeamish,” he said when he was finished and had packed the fish in a little cooler.

  “What’s a little blood and guts between friends?”

  “You’re so right. What time should I return for dinner?”

  “How about seven? Bring your swim gear. I have a Jacuzzi in the back that I need to give a try.”

  “Great. I’ll see you at seven o’clock tonight,” Craig said.

  Serenity went on inside her cabin to read until it was time to entertain.

  Chapter Six

  Meanwhile

  Chris was the first to wake. The sound of a boat’s motor dragged him into the morning. He woke with a stress headache and grumbling belly. Before he could think about food, he had to take a piss.

  Struggling up from the floor, he made his way to the only bathroom and took care of his business. When he opened the door, Anthony was waiting his turn.

  “We’ve got company,” Anthony said flatly.

  “How many?”

  “Looks like just two. A couple. They are on the lake, fishing.”

  “We can talk when you get out of there.” Chris jerked a thumb back toward the bathroom and moved back to the living area.

  Watching Melvin in a dead sleep made him want to kick the bastard awake, but that wouldn’t be a good idea. There was no need to start a fight just because he found the ease with which he slept through this cluster fuck annoying. Plus, he would hate for Melvin to try to fight him. He would definitely hurt him, and that would be dumb if they were going to cook. You never hurt the chemist, especially if your chemist was a college dropout who majored in chemistry and biology. Melvin was going to be a doctor at one point. His parents were still confused as to how it all went so wrong, so fast, and so unexpectedly.

  The kitchen was the best place for him right now. So, Chris made his way to the kitchen, hopeful there would be something for them to eat. If not, he dreaded having to figure out how to find food. There was no way he could go without eating, and fishing seemed to be risky even if they had the necessary tools. He wasn’t interested in being seen. This far out, it wouldn’t make sense to wait until late to move around because the little stores nearby closed not long after sunset. Plus, he had no idea where else there was to stay near here and didn’t want some nosy local with too much time on their hands wondering where he was staying.

  Anthony joined him a moment later. Their combined search netted some basics, but feeding three grown men for who knows how long on just basics was going to be a challenge. They found one lonely box of cereal, canned milk, pasta, soup mixes and an oddly large amount of boxed macaroni and cheese. There was oil, instant cof
fee, as well as flour, sugar, salt, and pepper.

  Chris and Anthony made themselves some macaroni and cheese in the microwave and had a seat to discuss their situation.

  Anthony began with, “Look, I think we need to move on from here. I needed to rest last night. There isn’t much to eat here, and with other people on the lake, we definitely can’t start cooking meth and making the entire area smell like death. We have some money and we aren’t wanted by the police yet. The house was a squatter’s paradise. None of our names are even close to being associated with it. The only thing we have to avoid is getting caught with this fucking chem set on steroids we’re toting around.”

  “Well, where would we go?” Chris asked. “I’m not sure what the next steps are, but we definitely need to cook up this batch so we can at least sell out of our inventory. Then everybody can go their separate ways. As far as the cops are concerned, we don’t know who they’re looking for. We can’t assume the fellas didn’t start talking as soon as they got locked up. That’s a lot of time they are looking at serving. They don’t seem like the type interested in doing the time because they did the crime. The first thing they’ll do is call Mommy. What do you think Mommy is going to say? Tell the truth, baby, and I will get you a lawyer. That’s what’s next. Plus, the little bit of money we have is not going to get any of us very far. We need an influx of cash so we can split and have some real cushion.”

  “I agree. We need more money, but there are two other people out here. For all we know, they own the property. Who knows when they’ll be leaving? We could go into the wooded area, but that leaves us exposed to random hikers. Also, we have minimum everything, so we need at least a week to make this happen. It’s not like we can spend forty-eight hours working on a batch and jet. What if we just head to Houston and buy a used RV? We have enough for that. Then we can park it out in the middle of nowhere, handle our business and make our way back to our usual customers,” Anthony said.