6. Erin

Chapter six

Erin

Dinner is delicious and a much calmer affair than I expect. I’m almost disappointed. The hum of conversations around us, the dim lighting, and the wonderful smells paint the most pleasant atmosphere I’ve dined in. The alphas behave themselves, and Locke continues to fuck me with his eyes, but he keeps his hands to himself.

The food is divine. I barely taste it.

Finn keeps the conversation flowing and civil. It’s all very polite, and the tension between the five of us rises and rises. Bray and Shane do not get along at all. Finn has an underlying edge with Bray. The alpha seems to have no problem with anyone. He’s a flirt, and I like him a lot.

It’s hilarious, but I don’t dare let it show on my face. At the end of our evening, we go outside, and Finn nudges Shane. The big alpha whirls on his friend with a snarl.

“Shane will walk you back to the cabin and make sure you don’t get lost.”

Locke hums and looks up and down the big alpha. He’s not displeased with this outcome. “Okay.”

I cast him an exasperated look. “Well, I guess this is goodnight.”

Bray leans in close and seals our lips together in another searing and unexpected kiss. By the time I’ve recovered my senses, he’s pulled back and is gone.

“Why does he keep doing that!” Locke snaps. “And where’s my kiss?”

I snicker.

Finn grumbles but hugs me gently and kisses my cheek. “Goodnight, Erin, thank you for inviting me to dinner. Sleep well, and if you need anything, call.”

Locke snickers, and to my surprise, Finn grins back. The two of them seem to be hitting it off real well. No words were spoken. It’s as if by body language alone they’ve somehow called a truce and started a friendship all over dinner.

I shake my head at the oddness of it all and turn back to the big alpha.

Woof.

I whip my head around and see a giant yellow lab bound over and dance around Finn. The beta kneels, scratching the dog, and I swear, Locke gets heart eyes.

“Who is this?”

Finn glances up at me. “This is my best friend, Karma.”

“Karma?”

The dog looks at me and woofs. I’ve never been around dogs, but she seems like a pretty and nice dog. I guess.

Shane grunts and starts moving, so I wave goodbye and jog to keep up with the massive alpha. I trip, the ground rising faster than I can imagine. I don’t know how he moves so fast, but I’m suddenly in his arms, staring up at him. Pine steals across my senses, drugging me with it. Shane packs a punch.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

This silent alpha undoes me. I feel small and feminine in his arms, and that is unnerving. He stands me up and sets me on my feet before dragging his gaze away and resuming the walk.

I exhale the breath I’ve been holding. His eyes are hypnotizing.

Locke puts a hand on my back and keeps his smile even as he stares straight ahead. He doesn’t say the words, but I can hear them loud and clear.

“What?” I hiss.

“Nothing, just nicely played.”

I flush and throw his arm off me, but he just laughs and gets closer, pulling me in.

“I’m just making sure you don’t fall and hurt yourself,” Locke teases. “Let me rescue you.”

I laugh but notice the alpha in front has slowed. He spins around and walks back to us.

He gets right up in Locke’s face and tilts his chin up so they are staring eye to eye. Locke is completely frozen, caught in the alpha’s powerful aura.

“Hello,” Locke says gently. Breathlessly. I can feel him tremble against me.

What designation is Locke? He’s acting like…but no.

Shane growls, the sound is almost inaudible, it’s felt rather than heard. I almost reach out, but Shane nods his head slightly, lets go of Locke, and stalks away.

“Okay, what was that about?”

“I don’t fucking know, I don’t speak mountain man,” Locke whispers to me. “But, damn, I’d like to learn.”

“Me, too!” I snipe back.

Locke grumbles but follows me as I attempt to keep up with Shane. When we get to our cabin, he doesn’t turn and disappear. He opens the door and goes straight to the fireplace, where he lights a fire. I hadn’t noticed how cold it was, but perhaps that was because I was living off my pussy heat.

I bite my lip, watching Shane’s jean-clad ass as he bends over and puts wood in the fireplace. I know I’m not the only one. My body heats, and the urge to stalk this alpha grows.

He starts the fire, then stands up and just stares at it. Locke and I are silent, watching him.

“Lock the door after I leave. If you need help, I’m just up the trail.”

It’s the most he’s spoken, but it may as well have been dragged out of him. You can tell he’s not used to being nice or considerate.

“Shane,” I say, he pauses in his quick move to the door, looking at the wall and refusing to look at me. “Thank you.”

He huffs and all but runs out of the cabin. I watch as he goes, tracking the trail he takes.

“Okay, there is something in the water up here. Like a hundred and one hot alphas,” I mutter. “I work with a lot of alphas, but none of them, not a one, looks like that.”

Locke hums as I shut the door; I hesitate and lock it. He slips his arms around my waist and kisses my shoulder.

“You sounded so edible tonight, Erin. It was very mean.”

I whirl and lean in close, then pause. “What designation are you?”

Locke, whose eyes were full of desire, chill instantly. He steps back and shakes his head.

“That’s my business.”

I raise my eyebrows at the angry tone. Locke leaves me standing by the front door and stomps into the bedroom. I’m damn confused by the sudden change of his emotions.

I wander around a bit before I end up back at the window, looking out over the river.

“If I tell you, will it matter?”

I watch him in the reflection. “I don’t know. I hope not.”

“Why risk it, then?”

“Because I’m not a stupid woman, Locke, and I don’t walk blindly into situations that might bite me on the ass. And you have a lot of secrets, starting with why you were on that bus.”

Locke growls and paces back and forth. “I can’t.”

“Then, sadly, I can’t, either.”

Locke rumbles in frustration and spins away from me.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to have a cold shower!”

I smile at my reflection, but it fades as soon as he’s gone. I don’t like secrets, and I don’t like lies. My thoughts flicker to my last boyfriend and the insanity that caused my forced exile from the company.

Why am I thinking about that asshole now? Because he did lie, all the time, about everything. Some of the lies were senseless and just left me baffled. Others, like his wife, hurt and damaged my ability to trust my instincts. It was unfortunate that he stole my promotion and clients at the same time. Three months of dating suckered me into a false lull. Just like his office when it tried to pretend it could swim.

They have no proof, nothing to sack me over, but everyone knows I’m the one who did it. It still stings. The trust I broke with myself, the fool I was made to appear, the trust thrown back in my face.

I’ve worked too hard to get into bed with someone with as many secrets in his eyes as Locke Raines has. I learned my lessons.

I think I did.

There’s no couch in this cabin. I’m going to have to share the bed with him, but I’m not concerned. I can handle a man like Locke.

I can handle those alphas, too.

I go to the bathroom, ignoring the lump under the blankets, and brush my teeth and hair.

Dezzi was everything that is opposite to Locke. He was older than me, just a normal alpha living a corporate life. We worked in the same building and walked up the stairs together. That’s how we met. He was always smiling, unless he was in court, and then his smile was shark-like. He was ruthless, and part of his appeal was how much I admired him in our professional fields. I hadn’t thought to check to investigate such a prestigious man.

I trust his word.

He married his wife when they were nineteen. She’s a sweet little beta who approached me after work one day and ripped my world out from under me.

I smile at myself in the reflection.

No one fucks with Erin Bradley.

Payback is better when it comes with a side of complete annihilation. His career; I destroyed his reputation; he was shredded by his wife. I know because I’m the one who helped her bleed that prick dry. She walked away from the marriage a very wealthy woman.

I hate lies, but I hate feeling vulnerable and weak more.

I go to the bed and lay down, curling on my side so I’m facing the man lying beside me.

Would it be so bad if I just fucked him?

Yes! A voice inside hisses. I like him more than I’ve liked anyone in a long time. If those lies came back to hurt me…It’s not him. It’s me. I’ve never had a reason to not trust myself or my instincts until now.

I roll onto my back and stare up at the roof.

It’s not just him, though. Shane is a big, dangerous ball of mystery. One I want to untangle and discover. Finn is the opposite of the corporate world sharks. His honesty and simple life have an appeal that is going to be hard to resist. And Brayson, I’ve never met a man like him. He’s hot with an abrasive and raw personality that is impulsive, fun, exciting.

And those kisses! My lips still tingle. It was unexpected and surprising. I do like a guy who takes charge, and Bray seems to be that guy.

I turn my head, staring at Locke’s relaxed face.

So, what is it about this man that pulls me in? The vulnerability is attractive, as is his curiosity and that life that sparks inside him. I want to protect him. He’s innocent, and it’s driving my alpha instincts mad. But he’s sexy and confident in his appeal. He’s got charm and a seductive charisma that I find hard to resist.

What if I just-

No! I’m not changing my rules for some gorgeous man who wears secrets the way some people wear clothes.

I reach out, despite myself, slowly spreading my fingers over his bicep. His skin is soft and warm, and when I touch him, he exhales like my touch has relieved some tension.

He suddenly reaches out, scooping me close to him and burying his face in the crook of my neck. I stay still, my heart thumping as he nuzzles in. Goosebumps break out across my skin, and I have to fight to keep my breathing even.

But then he settles, and his breathing evens out. His thigh is pressed between mine, the foreign heat of his skin causes a low burn. It would be so easy to just twitch my hips and send that burn into an inferno.

Vanilla floods my nose, and I go still and tense before everything inside me suddenly goes soft and fluid. I stretch out my arms, cuddling him close, pulling him closer. Oh, where is that smell coming from? It’s barely there, but it’s delicious. I need him in me. I bury my nose in his hair, my mouth watering. I’ve got no control over myself when I lean closer and lick his ear. His moan is music.

That sound breaks me out of whatever this is, and I let my head fall back on the pillow, groaning as he flexes a huge cock against my stomach.

Rules are there for reasons! I tell myself sternly.

But that doesn’t stop my core clenching. It doesn’t stop my underwear getting damp, and it doesn’t stop the man in my arms from making sexy little sounds and shifting, dragging that heavy cock against me.

It’s torture, but it’s delicious.

“Save me,” Locke murmurs in a frightened cry.

My arousal vanishes like a light is switched, and I freeze. Fierce protective instincts surge to the forefront of my mind. The room chills with the force of my sudden rage.

“Of course, I will,” the alpha side of me soothes. It’s a promise and a threat. To everyone else.

He kisses my collarbone and snuggles his face against my breasts.

“Alpha,” Locke pleads, “keep me safe. Please, make them stop.”

“You’re safe, Locke. It’s safe here. I won’t let anything happen.”

He exhales and falls back into a deep sleep. I stroke his back and lie there awake for a long time, wondering what exactly I’m keeping this man safe from.

It doesn’t occur to me to refuse.