The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition

by Kay Maree

  “What’s so amusing?” he asked, making me snap out of my appraisal of his beautiful face. I quickly looked away before he could read my expression. I needed to take the focus off me and draw it onto something else, otherwise I would spend all night staring and willing for things to happen. I had issues with men; mostly with them being rude, over-bearing, and complete scoundrels. I could be bitter about it all, but I knew I needed to learn from my mistakes and never repeat them. That was the reason for this six-month hiatus from the pure bullshit that had been happening in my life of late.

  So, it was clear that a semi-drunk Rubi around a guy was a bad idea. I couldn’t think of Aidan in a sexual way, even though the man clearly exuded sex appeal. Fuck, if I could read him, then it was no wonder he could read me. There was something about this man that made warning bells go off in my head, or maybe it was now drummed in after him…the arsehole who clearly thought it was his God-given right to ruin me. Men loved to control; then again, there were women who loved control just as much; and I believed that Aidan was the commander of his life, and I could guarantee he would love to dominate the females in his life. If this was a friend of my cousin’s then it was no wonder that she’d given the man a key, because this type of guy was serious eye candy and the type of man I’d be keeping around as a go-to for sex if I was that way inclined.

  I shook such thoughts from my head. Why the hell I was thinking about sex was just crazy, but a little wine and GOT and I was a wanton woman. I guess being celibate for the past two months didn’t help either.

  “You mentioned you were hungry,” I stated, standing up and headed towards the kitchen. It appeared that ordering too much Thai food was a smart idea. “I hope you like Thai?” I asked, reaching up to grab a bowl from the top shelf. Sibi needed to reorganise her kitchen so I didn’t have to stretch so far to grab things. It seemed a little odd to have the bowls up so high when Sibi was a short arse.

  “Umm…Thai sounds per…fect,” he replied.

  “Pardon?” I asked, struggling to reach a bowl.

  “Thai food will be prefect,” he repeated, stepping in close to my body.

  I wanted to push back and tell him to back up, but his presence was somewhat soothing, even if it was a total Invasion of my personal space. That was something of a pet hate of mine, and right now Aidan was dangerously close to pushing my boundaries. I could overlook it for a now, since the wine mixed with the gorgeous smirk on his face was helping me be a little brave.

  I gripped the bowl and turned around to find him staring at me intently. Was it flattering? I wasn’t sure but if the instant, and I do mean instant, butterflies were any indicator I was enjoying this weird nervousness between us.

  “Will you quit staring at me like you want to eat me,” I said, pushing up to sit on the edge of the bench, I needed a little space and I hated that he was now so close to me that my body was humming with a tingling sensation.

  “Will you quit looking like something I’d want to eat,” he threw back at me.

  “Excuse me?” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. Did he just say what I thought he said?

  “Well, sweet pea, what you’re wearing isn’t helping. I want to lay you down on the bench and lose myself in you. You’re looking like dinner, and one that I would very much like to taste,” he declared with a smirk, taking another step closer.

  “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to talk to strangers?”

  “Oh, she taught me many things,” he smiled, taking another step closer. At this rate our bodies would be flush against each other. “Being upfront and honest were her main lessons,” he added.

  Honesty went a long way with me. I liked that he had the confidence to speak openly, which in turn gave me the freedom to relax a little and be able to speak my mind also. He might have made me feel nervous, but he also made me feel sexy, beautiful, and rather desirable. I went from wanting to be alone to wanting someone I had never met. Insta-sexual tension wasn’t something I was used to, because I’d gone from relationship to relationship and my eyes never wandered. I’m not saying that I never thought that guys were sexy; in fact, I’d met a very attractive man at a business conference in Texas, back in the States, and we’d hit it off. However, he lived miles away from me and he had model girlfriend at the time.

  Aidan was attractive, I’d give him that, and he had certainly caught my attention, but I wasn’t a fan of one night stands; I’d never been into the whole ‘wham, bam, thank you dildo-attached-to-a-man’ thing. He was a friend of Sibi’s, and although she’d warned me about Nate she hadn’t mentioned anyone else that I should be steering clear of. I shook my head, I couldn’t think of Aidan as anything other than a man here for a little food, and I had plenty of food to share with him.

  “My mother taught me a great many things, one of them was to never talk to men like you,” I said as I tried to stop the smile which threatened to break across my lips. My mother always said that a guy is not worth talking to unless he is sweet, gentle, and didn’t try to pressure you to do anything you didn’t want to do. Most of my mother’s dating lessons were pretty much full of shit, but she did have some good points.

  “Do you want to not be strangers?” he smirked, taking a final step in my direction and standing close enough for me to feel his warm breath blow across my face.

  “I thought you came here for dinner?” I replied.

  Dinner, which I was about to serve up before he distracted me even more with those pretty blue eyes, and that smile; the fact that he was standing way too close was making it hard to think. Damn, I was going to lose myself completely at this rate, and it had been a while since any man had made me feel the things I was feeling right now.

  Unfortunately, my last relationship ended in heartache and tears. Ollie and I had dated for six months; we’d met in College in the States on my summer semester of classes. I was young and naïve, and I didn’t realise until too late that the douche had been seeing other girls while we were together. Supposedly he was dating, not only the cheerleading team, but half the females in our year level. It had been stupid of me to think that a guy would stay faithful to me at such a young age, but it was young love and Ollie had me fooled. It was the reason why I now had certain shields in place to keep me from being hurt again.

  “Don’t change the subject, answer my question,” he spoke, placing a hand on the bench beside me and leaning in until his head was mere inches away from my face, his nose slightly brushing against mine.

  “What was your question?” I smiled, knowing all too well what he had asked, but I couldn’t answer him. A part of me was a cheeky fired-up girl, who on the odd occasion loved to come out and play, and she wanted to see how far she could push him, to see if he was easily teased. However, the gleam in his eyes told me he had a serious side, and that I would be wise to answer his question. If only I could muster up the words.

  Taking a deep breath, I decided that teasing him and being naughty for the night was something I could live with. After all, I was only here for six months and then I’d never see this guy again. A little holiday romance was all it would ever be.

  This felt natural and exciting, and I was young and needed to live a little, and what was a little fun without a man to enjoy it with. The vivid images running through my head were things I had always wanted to do, but never had the courage, let alone the right person, to make me want to do try. Aidan was making me want to explore those urges that so needed to be itched. I knew that taking a leap and allowing him to take the lead was going to be hard, but I was willing to if the prize was sweet, sweet pleasure.

  “I’m going to do something stupid, and even though I might regret it, I’m giving you one night Aidan. One night, that’s all,” I answered with a smile as I slipped my arms around his neck, bringing his lips closer and allowing them to brush lightly against mine. I could smell minty freshness on his breath and body wash on his skin. Gym clothes had never been sexier on a man, but I’d hap
pily see them lying on the floor if it meant I’d get to see what this man was packing underneath.

  “One night, no awkwardness, and we go our separate ways in the morning and never speak of this again,” I voiced.

  “Geez, you don’t ask much,” he smiled, slipping his arms around my back and pulling me closer to the edge of the bench.

  “One night,” I said again, trying to emphasise my point. I needed to know that he was on the same page as me, otherwise I’d be heading to bed alone. I couldn’t have him thinking that this would be anything more than a one-night stand. Even though I knew I wasn’t a one-night stand kind of girl, if I could have what I was picturing in my mind then maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as I had been thinking it would be.

  “Well, prepare to have your world rocked,” he said, a smirk on those plump lips.

  I laughed, “Cocky, much.”

  “Such nice language, and here I thought I was hooking myself a sweet...”

  “Shut up.” I smirked as I sealed his lips with mine.

  The truth was that I normally was a sweet girl. However, I also liked to take risks, and I loved to do adventurous things, to live life with some excitement; but this was new, even for me. One night stands were not something I engaged in often, in fact I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d had one, and right now I wondered how far I would actually let this go. Unfortunately, at this point in time, words seemed to have failed me. Damn, the guy could kiss and kiss…and…

  “I hope I am not interrupting anything?” a voice called out. I pulled back.

  “Fuck me,” I whispered, throwing my hand over my mouth. Fuck Sibi.

  “You have perfect timing, as always,” Aidan smiled, turning his head to look at Sibi.

  “Aidan,” Sibi screeched; she was shocked. Why I didn’t know, but I guessed I would find out a little later.

  “Sybil,” he replied, his thick English accent pronouncing every syllable.

  “You’re with my cousin now?” she smirked.

  “I might be. What’s it to you?” He looked back at me and winked before turning to completely face Sibi, his back leaning into me.

  “Good night Aidan,” Sibi groaned as she turned to head to her room. Was she pissed off? If so, I hoped she wasn’t mad at me.

  “I’m going to take a rain check on tonight’s fun and games. I don’t think your cousin will want me sticking around,” he spoke. Why was this conversation so awkward? Sibi walking in on us, me sitting on the kitchen bench ready to have Aidan take me was…awkward. I ran my tongue over my teeth, unable to think of anything to say to make this any less of a shit situation. Just say goodnight Rubi, then head to bed and never think about this again. That would be the best option, but the look in his eyes told me that he wouldn’t let this subject go so easily.

  “Good night Aidan,” I said, slipping off the bench and coming to a standstill in front of him., “You totally rocked my world,” I giggled, placing a light kiss to his cheek before taking my leave and heading for the safety and privacy of my room.

  Now that I thought about it, if Sibi hadn’t walked in, this night would have ended with a bang and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for something like that.

  ***

  AIDAN

  I had gone from having a complete shit day, to having my night ripped away from me. What the fuck had I done today to deserve this kind of bullshit?

  When I walked into Sib’s apartment I had expected to eat then leave. I never thought that I would be kissing, let alone preparing to slip into bed with, a beautiful brunette named Rubi. I wanted her in more ways than one, and I knew that I would never get the opportunity now. How the hell had I instantly…alright, insta-love wasn’t real, but I certainly was instantly attracted to her, and after the shit with the whole Bray incident, not to mention my horrific day at the office, I guess I was letting my cock rule my body.

  She was fucking gorgeous, so many little things rolled into that sweet petite package of hers. From those brunette curls in her hair, to the intense very seductive emerald green eyes, and I had never seen someone with such flawless pale white skin; it alone was a thing beauty. Damn, I needed to concentrate on other things; I didn’t need to be thinking about Rubi as anything other than a woman I’d kissed, because that was all it would ever be.

  Nevertheless, it had been a while since anyone had aroused my interests. God knows the number of women who have thrown themselves in my direction hoping for a chance. Although none of them had court my eye like Rubi had, from the moment I’d stepped into that living room and saw her curled up in a blanket watching fucking Game of Thrones, I knew I had to have her.

  Shit…get your crap together Aidan. She’s Sibi’s cousin, and I knew Sibi well enough to know that she wasn’t going to allow me to pursue Rubi.

  Fucking women.

  CHAPTER SIX

  RUBI

  “Please tell me you weren’t going to sleep with him last night?” Sibi asked with a disapproving tone.

  I rolled my eyes and took a long sip of my hot coffee. I’d barely woken up and she had pounced on me like a hot rash.

  “Does it really matter? We didn’t sleep together, we shared one kiss and as far as I remember you rudely interrupted said kiss.” I took another sip.

  “Wow,” she smiled.

  “That’s the best comeback you can come up with? Wow?” I spat out sarcastically, hiding a smile as I placed the coffee cup down on the table beside the couch.

  “You must know that Aidan is a man-whore; known for his random hook ups. He usually runs background checks and finds out all the information he needs to know on a female before he even thinks about bedding them,” sibs declared.

  “And that’s a problem why? He didn’t even know me last night, so I doubt he had time to just Google my name,” I groaned.

  Alright, so background checks were slightly creepy, but then again, these days you could never be too safe. He was obviously just protecting himself.

  “Do you like him?” I asked, needing to know, “Because, if you do I’ll back away.”

  “Of course I like him, but Aid doesn’t like me; at least not in the way he was liking you last night. I’m more of a sister figure to him. That’s what is so interesting about this whole situation, he clearly likes you enough to throw the safety precautions he prides himself on out the window.” She smiled before taking a sip from her cup. I knew nothing about Aidan. How on earth could he like me if he knew nothing about me?

  “You like him?” Sibi smiled. “I don’t blame you, the guy is gorgeous and one of the city’s most sort after bachelors. A few weeks back,” Sibi went on to tell me the story about the fashion designer Sasha Bray, how she and her team had fabricated a story and then leaked it to the press.

  It seemed that the woman wanted publicity, but stating that you’re set to marry the city’s most eligible bachelor was a sure fire way of getting yourself sued.

  “I guess some women get desperate,” I said. I personally could never do that to someone, forcing their hand on any subject, especially one as touchy as marriage. In some cultures they forced arranged marriages on couples, but I, for one, would never ever be able to handle such a thing. So, what on earth Sasha was thinking was fucking beyond me.

  “Bray is a desperate fool, I can’t stand her,” Sibi groaned.

  “Do you know her?” I was beginning to think Sibs knew everyone of importance in this city.

  Sibi rolled her eyes, “Yeah, she’s a bitch.”

  “Sibi,” I shrieked. I had never heard her talk about anyone with such rudeness.

  “What are your plans for today, I know a lot of your tours start tomorrow?” she said changing the subject.

  “Smooth Sibi, changing the subject…very subtle,” I smiled, getting up from the couch. I was a little excited to explore the many things London and the surrounding area had to offer.

  “I have tours starting tomorrow, so please can we do something tonight? Last
night you were out and I was...”

  “Preoccupied?” Sibi smirked.

  “Sibi, it was one kiss, nothing more,” I stated.

  “Yeah, and if I hadn’t walked in then it would have been more. Women’s legs tend to just pop open for boys like Aidan.” She winked.

  “Eewww…”

  “Don’t be a prude, own it. Aidan Northman wanted you, and you could have had him if I’d just stayed out a little longer,” she replied.

  “Are you jealous?” I asked, just curious to know.

  “Oh please,” she scoffed, brushing it off.

  “Oh please, my arse, I know you better than most people when it comes to boys,” I raised an eyebrow in question.

  “Whatever--it’s not important. What do you want to do tonight?” Sibi asked.

  “Please, take me to a pub for some drinks,” I pleaded, heading back to the kitchen.

  “You want to get pissed, knowing you have a tour tomorrow?” I had been in this city for nearly a week and still hadn’t been able to enjoy a few drinks with my cousin. The whole point of this trip was to experience things, to be spontaneous. So far I’d spent two nights sleeping and recovering from jet lag, another night out with my cousin which had ended in me heading home early so she could enjoy a booty call, and then there was last night…I needed this…a night of freedom.

  “Fine,” she yelled, “but if you’re going to drink then we’re going now.”

  “Are you crazy, it’s not even midday?” I protested.

  Sibs rounded the corner shrugging, “It’s midday somewhere in the world.”

  ***

  AIDAN

  “You and Sibi, what’s happening there?” Wayne asked as he took a dig at Nate.