Page 79 of Pack Choice

“You will. Because they’re too dull for you. You need to be challenged. You need to be excited. You need to be …” He reaches for me.

“You have no idea what I need,” I say, batting his hands away and prompting several displeased tuts from our audience. “I need sensible and stable and reliable. I don’t need liars and secret keepers and … and … players!”

“Are you referring to me there, little one?” he says, pointing to his chest and lifting an eyebrow.

“You have a reputation,” I tell him, motioning my head towards the crowd, “and plenty of opportunities.”

“I have a reputation. Doesn’t mean it’s an accurate one.” Now it’s my turn to lift an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe it’s a little accurate. But maybe I’m changing, maybe I want to change … for the right woman.”

There is a chorus of ahhhs from the crowd and one woman shouts out: “Are you mad? Give him a chance.”

He gives me some serious puppy dog eyes. I tut. “I told you I have a date tonight.”

“And tomorrow?”

“I’m hanging out with my best friend.”

“Okay,” he says, holding out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

“Why?” I ask with suspicion.

“I’m giving you my number. You take a look at your calendar and tell me when you’re free. Although I warn you, I’m off to Monaco on Tuesday. I have a race on the following Saturday.”

“That he’s going to win,” someone else calls from the crowd.

“Of course,” he says, taking my phone and typing into it. “You could always fly out and join me.”

“To Monaco? Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’ll send my jet to fetch you. You ever seen me race, little one?” He hands back my phone, his fingertips brushing against mine, and adds in a whisper that has me shivering, “I’d make it worth your while.”

I’ve seen him race. On the television. He is mesmerizing. I couldn’t drag my eyes from the screen. I’m tempted, sorely tempted, even though it sounds utterly crazy – especially as I have a date and a job.

“I’ll think about it,” I say, relieved to see Ford pushing through the spectators and prowling towards me.

“Good.” He grins that lopsided smile of his, winking at me. “I like the idea of you thinking about me, little one.”

19

River

“Doyou think she’s going to let me take her out?” I ask, turning to the crowd of fans who have been following me around for the last hour.

“If she doesn’t, you can take me out, River,” one older lady shouts back, and several of the other women around her nod.

“Ahhh, I’d love to, ladies, but I’ve only got eyes for one girl. That one,” I say, pointing to the retreating back of the omega with her bodyguard at her side. “Now, I gotta be out of here so who wants a selfie before I go?”

There are several squeaks of excitement and then, despite the best efforts of my two security personnel, I’m mobbed.

Fifteen minutes later, they manage to extract me from the mob, minus two leather bracelets and my belt.

I wave and stroll quickly in the direction of Colten’s office, taking a roundabout route to ensure I lose all my new friends.

I find my oldest friend skulking in his office.

“You heading home?” I ask him as I rap my fingers against his open door to grab his attention.

He looks up from his computer screen, looking tired and a little frayed around the edges. The office smells vividly of the omega. Spicy as hell.