ROMANCE: The Bad Boy Meeting (41 page)

              Maria had started to assume that her life was going to be nothing but sadness. After she lost her grandmother and the debt collectors started pounding on her door, Maria was convinced that the rest of her life would be spent in a pit of debt and despair. She never would have guessed that she could be in love like this.

              Every day that passed she found more and more to love about her new life. She felt like she had a family again. Aaron adored her and Rein was like the little sister Maria never had (despite the fact that the woman was well over four hundred years old). Maria’s life felt like a fairytale and she hoped it could be like this forever.

              After spending a week at Aaron’s she finally convinced him to come with her to The Widow’s house. When the woman opened the door, she’d thrown her arms around Maria and chastised her for being away so long. Maria gasped an apology when the frail old woman squeezed her tight enough that she struggled to breathe.

              She’d looked Aaron up and down as if he were livestock and she was about to send him off the auction. After a tense moment, The widow gave her approval, commenting that he was a very strong and handsome man. She was sure that he would make Maria happy.

              They thanked The Widow and collected Maria’s things before leaving the house. Aaron actually looked scared of The Widow and Maria laughed, elbowing him playfully as they returned the farm house that would eventually become
their
farm house.

              Maria never thought she deserved a happily ever after but she was glad she got one. Aaron was everything she could have asked for and their lives together would be happy and peaceful. They would travel the world together, all three of them and Aaron and Rein would show Maria things she never even dreamed of. She saw the Eiffel Tower and The Vatican. They kissed the Blarney Stone and watched geisha’s perform in Japan. Maria was sure that she’d seen every country in the world and it was more than she ever could have hoped for.

              No matter how far they traveled they always returned to the little farm. That little house was their home and it always would be. Aaron asked her once if she wanted to sell the house and move to Europe. Maria had seemed appalled that he would even ask such a thing. The farm was there home. It was where they’d fallen in love and it was the place where they would eventually have their first pup. Jaeger was their first pup but he wouldn’t be their last.

              It was a miracle that there were no complications. No one had ever heard of a human bearing a wolf’s child but Maria never doubted it for a second. She knew she could give Aaron the pack he wanted. It wasn’t as big as the pack he’d been raised to lead but that didn’t matter. It was his. their little family and Aaron wouldn’t have it any other way.

              Jaeger was a fat, happy baby that the entire family swooned over. Rein adored the chubby baby and had taken a liking to being his permanent babysitter. She insisted that Maria and Aaron call her a ‘governess’. She’d always liked the sound of that. It sounded regal.

              The entire family had gone to Germany for Jaeger’s first birthday and they'd returned only a few days ago. They were starting to settle back in as the first snow of winter arrived. Jaeger had no conscious memory of the snow and so when he saw the white rainfall from the skin, he’d crawled over to the window and pressed his button nose against the cold glass, squealing excitedly.

              Rain bundled him up in a coat and they all went to the deck. Rein took little Jaeger out to the yard and held him tight, spinning him round as the snow fell around them. Maria smiled and leaned against Aaron, looking up at the man. Her smile softened and she sighed, wrapping her arms around him.

              Every day that passed she felt like the luckiest woman in the world. She wanted this to be her happily ever after. She wanted to be by his side for all time and have their happy little pack. She wanted this moment to last forever.

              “I can’t believe this is real.” She whispered.

              “The snow?”

              “No, you dummy.” She said playfully, jabbing him in the side. “Our family….Our happy baby, Rein...Us...I can’t believe any of it. It all feels like a dream.” She sighed.

He looked down at her and his heart leapt with joy as he gazed into her happy

face. He couldn’t figure out why she’d said yes and why she’d left everything behind. He didn’t feel like he rescued Maria...No...Maria had been the one to rescue him.

Aaron leaned down and kissed her gently, smiling and cupping her cheek. “If it’s a dream, then I hope I never wake up.”

WARNING:  This e- book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language. I t maybe be consider offensive to some readers. This book is for sale to adult ONLY

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Carly hooked her arm around mine as her grin widened. “This is going to be so much fun.” She gushed.

“I can’t believe you are getting us into The Den.” Nichole piped up.

I just grinned. I guess being a sex and relationships blogger for one of the most popular web-zines in town had its advantages.

I didn’t bother waiting in the line that went around the block. Instead I marched up to the doors and looked at the doorman. “My name is on the list. Danika McLoyed”

He was tall and, like most bouncers, super muscular. I looked him over once, his strong jawline and his highest cheekbones… I couldn’t help but wonder if he was a werewolf. The whole bar was said to be owned and run by them. Probably part of the reason why it was so popular.

The man gave me a once over after checking his list. He stepped aside and allowed me and my two best friends to enter the bar.

Music pounded from the back of the room. The dance floor was filled with bodies meshed together so closely in what I assumed was supposed to be dancing. I scanned the room taking in the black walls, the stainless steel counter top to my left, the black leather couches and the green lights that allowed us normal people to see. Clubs weren’t really my kinda thing but I had to admit that this was a damn good looking place.

Carly gave me a quick glance before she unhooked her arm from mine and made her way to the dance floor. Nichole shook her head as we headed to the bar. “That girl doesn’t waste any time.”

“I don’t blame her.” The idea of getting into bed with a werewolf, or anything else paranormal, was all the rage right now. “I just hope she doesn’t get tricked into going home with a guy because he says he’s a werewolf.”

Nichole snorted. “Trust me; she’ll make him change before she goes home with him.” We came to a stop in front of the bar. “So, what exactly do you have to do here?”

“I just have to write about my experience. Ideally my editor wants me to… have an experience with a werewolf but she can’t legally tell me to go have sex for my job. So really I’m just here to talk to people and see if
they’ve
had sex with a werewolf.”

Nichole let out a loud laugh. “Of course you are, but are you going to try?”

“Maybe.” I looked around the room. There were quite a few attractive guys here, but I wasn’t sure I would believe any of them if they told me they were a werewolf. “I guess it depends on who I meet.”

“What can I get you ladies?”

His tired voice snapped my attention back to the bar. I turned to face him. My heart skipped a beat.
Now him I would take home whether he is a werewolf or not.

He had dark hair that hung to his ears and even in the dark I could make out his muscular frame. He wore a muscle shirt that allowed me to see every inch of his chest and arms. He propped himself up against the counter, a smirk spread across his face as he looked me up and down. I felt myself blush.

“Um, a whisky please.” I managed.

“Sex,” Nichole sounded breathless. “On the beach I mean.” She added quickly.

The man nodded and walked away. My eyes roamed over his backside as Nichole leaned towards me. “Now that… that is worth coming here.” She whispered next to me. I just nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He returned as quickly as he had come. He handed Nichole her drink before his attention focused on me. My eyes locked on his. “Here,” As I reached for the drink my fingers touched his for a fraction of a second. Goose bumps rose over my skin and the hair on the back of my neck perked up. “It’s on the house ladies.”

“Thanks.” I was completely aware of how out of breath I sounded, and the truth was I was struggling to get air in my body.

He turned away from us and that was it. I was left staring after him, the whisky in my hands and my heart pounding in my chest.

Nichole tuned to me. “I think he likes you.” She grinned. “You like him too, don’t you?” She asked after I didn’t answer for half a minute.

“I…” I wasn’t sure how to feel about him. There was something… I just couldn’t place it. Instead I took a long drink of my whisky, drained the glass and put it back down on the counter. I glanced up just in time to see him coming towards us, empty glasses in his hand.

“I’m going to o hit the dance floor and see if I can find Carly. Good luck with that writing.”

Shit. The writing. I was supposed to be taking notes on this. I sat down at the bar, careful not to let my skirt ride up, and pulled out my notepad before reaching for the menu.

“Can I get you something else already?” He asked as he approached, taking the empty glass from me.

“Yes… can I get the bubble gum shot? And maybe the ‘full moon’ shot as well? And I guess some deluxe fries…. It’s research.” I added as he raised an eyebrow at me.

“Ah, of course. You’re a writer?”

I nodded.

“Well in that case,” He leaned towards me. “Why don’t you interview the owner, that would be pretty good for you article, wouldn’t it?”

I paused as confusion hit me. “My company’s been trying to get an interview with him for weeks.” Could this guy really get me an interview with him? “He’s refused thus far.”

The guy across from the counter grinned. He turned on his heel and walked away leaving me even more confused and a little speechless.

I stared down at the blank piece of paper, trying to decide what to write.

The décor is modern and simple. Nothing over the top.

It wasn’t much but maybe I could work with it when I got home.

“Here you are.” He was back already with the fires and two shots. My mouth started watering as I took a deep breath of the fries.

“Thanks.” I pulled out my wallet and placed a twenty dollar bill on the counter before I tipped my head back and took the bubble gum shot first. I was surprised to see him still standing in front of me when I placed the empty shot glass on the counter. There were half a dozen people waiting to be served and he was just staring at me.

“Well, do you like it?”

“I… yes.”

I glanced down at my notes and made a quick scribble in shorthand- something only I would be able to figure out.

The guy looked down at his watch. “I’m about to go on break, if you want that interview.”

I jumped to my feet. I wasn’t sure if I believed this guy about being able to get me an interview with the owner but I damn well was going to try. I pulled my cell phone out, took a quick picture of the food and drinks, texted Nichole that I was going off with the bartender and stuffed my phone back in my pocket. I took the full moon shot and shook my head as sweet and sour overwhelmed my taste buds. I hadn’t had time to taste the fries but that would have to wait, I could buy more later. If I actually got an interview with the owner I’d be putting myself in the perfect position for a big fat raise.

The guy behind the counter led the way towards the front of the building. When we came to the end of the counter he slipped out from behind it and led the way to a door marked Employees Only.  He pulled the door open for me and I stepped through. I caught the eye of a woman carrying a try. The second she saw us she glanced down at the ground. “Sorry.” She muttered as she flattened herself up against the wall so we could pass her. I felt my stomach turn. Was this guy that much of an asshole that a girl felt like she had to apologise just for being in the same hallway as him?

My heart jumped into my throat as his warm hands touched my lower back and he led me towards a door marked Privet. I swallowed dryly. This was it.

As we came to a stop in front of the door he reached around me, his fingers curled around the handle and he pushed the door open. The lights were out and I couldn’t see any sign of anyone there.

He pushed me into the room lightly. My heart raced as he turned on the lights and I turned to face him. A wide smile spread across his lips as he moved towards me, around me and sat down at the desk.

“Please, sit.” He motioned for the chair across from the desk. I glanced around the room. There wasn’t much in here. Just a desk and some brown walls. A picture of a group of people hung on the wall to my left. I sat down and pulled out my notebook. “Your company should have sent you over in the first place and I wouldn’t have turned down all those interviews. Please call me Justin.”

My jaw almost dropped as I realized what he was saying. He was the owner.
Oh god. I’ve been talking to the owner the entire night.
I hadn’t even thought to ask him his name and there were no pictures of the owner online. He liked to keep his face out of the press, or so that’s what my editor said.

“I… um… ah…” I stuttered. His smile widened.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and forced myself to focus. “Okay,” My eyes snapped open. “First, I want to know what inspired this bar.” I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my cell phone. I hit the voice recorder app and placed it on the desk between us.

“It’s simple really.” Justin started. “As the pack alpha it is my job to make sure that everyone is taken care of, both during our… meetings and in everyday life, so what better way to do that than by giving them the work that they need? I can be sure that they are making enough money and that, as we come out to the world, they are not being discriminated against. The fact of the matter is that clubs such as this one are popular right now and I believe they will be for a long time. That is what made me decide to open this club.”

“I see,” I nodded. “Does that mean you pack works here?”

“Yes.” So that was why the girl in the hallway was submissive to us. Not us, him.  “Most of them do at least.”

“Most of them? How did you present this idea to your pack? Did they have a say in it?”

“Of course they had a say in it.” He sounded annoyed that I would even ask the question. “As the alpha it’s my job to take care of them, not control them. I have a couple pack members who already have good paying jobs, it wouldn’t have made sense for them to leave a job that pays well that they love to come work here without the guarantee that it would work out. I talked to the pack about my idea when I first got it. I got good feedback on it and then I let the topic rest for a little while as I did research and found the right place. When I found this place I brought the pack here and we crunched the numbers to see if this was something we really wanted to try.”

“And everyone was on board?”

“Yes.”

I stared at the man in front of me, for the first time fully taking in his appearance. His hair was black and his eyes were a shocking shade of blue, they almost reminded me of a steel blue, but the he’d close his eyes and open them again and it would remind me more of the sky. He had a small scar on his forehead that I couldn’t help but wonder about and the muscle shirt that was meant to show off his body did just that. The fabric stretched over his body, looking like it was about to break at any moment. My eyes traced up his huge arms. A single tattoo on his forearm caught my attention. A wolf and a pinup skeleton.

I forced myself to turn away from him, to look down at my notes or something. I cleared my throat. “Do you feel like you can attribute a lot of your success to the popularization of the werewolf community?”

“Of course.” His blunt answer was refreshing. “We couldn’t be where we are without being able to advertise the club to such a large fan base, but we’ve got amazing staff. We have amazing cooks here and we created a creative and tasty drink menu. I honestly believe that we would have done well no matter what, but without the werewolf culture being so popular it wouldn’t be nearly as popular as it is right now.” His eyes locked on mine as he leaned towards the recorder. “Of course we wouldn’t be where we are without the amazing press that we’ve been given.” He stared at me unblinkingly. I stared back.

Unsure of if I should blink or not I just stared at him. He reached out and touched my arm. A small gasp escaped me as a grin flickered across his lips. His lips. They were all I wanted to look at.

You’re in the middle of an interview!
My mind screamed but I didn’t listen. I didn’t realize he’d moved closer to me until his fingers curled around the neck of my shirt. He stood, leaning over me. My heart raced. Was I supposed to pull away and scream? What would he do if I did that? Could I trust him?

He pulled me to my feet. No pulled wasn’t the right word, he guided me to my feet, leaning over the desk as his hands cupped my face. He pulled me towards him, his lips millimetres away from mine.

“Can I kiss you?” He whispered. He was so close I could smell coffee on his breath. My mouth fell open.

He just stared at me waiting for an answer I couldn’t give him. I tried to speak but nothing came out. Instead I nodded.

Justin grinned as he closed the distance between us. His lips touched mine softly for a fraction of a second, as if he was still giving me time to pull away if I wanted. I didn’t. My arms wrapped around him as a small whimper escaped me. I pulled him closer, our kiss deepening as his arms wrapped around my body. His teeth grazed my lower lip gently. I let out a soft moan trying to move closer. It was no use, the desk was between us.

I gasped as his hands cupped my butt and pulled me onto the desk, the kiss becoming more aggressive as our lips parted and came back together.