Page 17

An hour slid into two. Breakfast turned into lunch. Lunch became dinner at a place called August. The restaurant had bare brick walls, hardwood floors, and big plates that they put tiny food on. French. Expensive. Frustrating.

“I'm going to need another meal after this,” I said to Ace.

“Salina, I'm shocked. Are you asking me out to breakfast again ? If I wasn't such a gentleman, I'd think you were inviting me home with you.”

“Funny. No. I'm asking you to take me somewhere with real food.”

“You have to admit the food here is outstanding.”

“It is. What little I got of it.”

“Now, I don't think you're being fair, darlin'. That steak was a good size. It was only the appetizers that were small.”

“And the dessert.”

He shook his head. “This place is usually a hit with the ladies.”

“You've had two other meals with me today. What about those meals made you think that I was like other women or ate like other women?”

“Touche. I think you about gave that waiter a heart attack when you asked to have your dessert first.”

“For a second, I thought he'd refuse.”

“So did I. But he must value his job more than his ideals.” Ace winked at me.

“I could go for some ice cream. A sundae, to be precise.”

“As the Goddess demands.” He waved at the server, asked for the check, and then paid.

We left the restaurant holding hands. Bruno was at home, dropped off sometime after lunch.

So, it was just the two of us walking down the street, looking for a place to get some ice cream.

I'd known Ace for all of a day, but I already felt comfortable with him.

Ace was the opposite of the hounds. Considerate, sweet, and casual. He didn't pressure me or make demands.

By the time we finished our ice cream and Ace drove me back to my place, I was ready to take him upstairs and rock his world.

But he just kissed my cheek, told me he had a lovely day, and asked when he could see me again.

I almost suggested that he could see all of me in a few minutes if he stuck around, but the way he stared at me—as if I truly was a goddess—made me reluctant to ruin the illusion for him.

A lady wouldn't fuck a guy after one day.

“How about tomorrow?” I said instead.

“When is too early for me to ring your doorbell?”

I lifted my brows.

Ace laughed. “That wasn't an innuendo. I meant to ask, how about breakfast?”

“I'd like that.”

Ace beamed at me, then got in his car—a silver antique Rolls—and drove down the street.

I watched him go. I already knew which house was his.

He gave me a tour when we dropped off Bruno.

It was even larger than mine, not that I cared.

What I'm trying to say is that I wasn't watching him to see which drive he turned down (the one at the end of the street).

No, it was simply that difficult to turn away.

Then a masculine voice sliced through the night, ruining my good mood. “That guy isn't for you. And you are definitely not for him.”

I rolled my eyes and turned to find yet another gorgeous man standing behind me.

He looked casual and relaxed, with his hands in his jeans pockets.

But tension radiated from him. Not as tall as Jake or as muscular, he was still solid and big, his shoulders straining the fabric of his T-shirt.

He had the same dark hair as his brothers and the same street-fighter jaw.

Except his eyes were gold like Hades' but a bit brighter.

They gleamed in the dark, catching the meager light from a nearby lamppost.

“You must be Lex.” I looked him over. Nothing to complain about there. Besides him being there, that is.

“I am.” Lex didn't have the southern drawl that his packmates had picked up. “And you must be crazy if you think you can go out with other men after we—”

“Caught my scent?” I waved my hand. “Yeah, yeah, I've heard it from your brothers.”

“Packmates.”

“Whatever, hound. Go away. Shoo!” I waved him off like a bad dog and headed up my steps.

I could feel him following me.

I opened the door and went inside.

Lex tried to keep following me over the threshold.

“Oh, I don't think so, mutt!” I pushed on his chest, sending him stumbling back.

Lex looked down at his chest, then up at me.

“Don't give me that shocked look. I didn't invite you in.

In fact, I did the opposite. You're not listening to me.

So, let me make this clear as I possibly can.

I'm not putting up with any alphahole bullshit!” I pointed at him.

“You want me? You're gonna have to wait.

Now, stop drooling on me and go hump some other woman's leg.”

I slammed the door on Lex's shocked—and extremely handsome—face.

“Ugh!” I growled as I headed upstairs. “Why do they have to look like all of my sexy dreams combined?”