Crossing Paths: A Brooklyn Shifters Romance Book 1

by Daphne Snow

  So when a sweet enticing voice fell upon him accompanied by the intense smell of a dewy morning, he knew that plan was out the window. She stood there in all her beautiful glory looking like a fierce angel. Her arms were crossed defensively holding her jacket in front of her. He could see the crest of her breast coming out of her shirt.

  The sight struck fiercely, his cock twitching at the sight of her. He would do his best to maintain his demeanor though. As his beast roared out the name. Fey! Alexander locked him up tightly in the back of his mind, the beast clawing at the surface.

  “Please leave us.” He directed towards the guard who was prompt in heading down the hallway and out the door. Electricity crackled between them. You could cut the tension with a knife.

  “Francesca, what are you doing here?” He asked a piece of him hoping she had tracked him down wanting him as badly as he wanted her. It wouldn’t really be all that hard considering he showed up in the newspapers often and several online articles about his wealth and bachelor lifestyle.

  He stood, his height towering over her even from a distance, and walked around towards the front of his desk leaning against it. It took a long moment before she huffed and her searing gaze flickered.

  “You're taking my family's house.” She prompted and her brow drew forward in anger. He wanted to kiss her there to kiss her everywhere really. He felt the heat of her gaze on him and Axl spoke up. She wants us, she is ours! Just take her! He sounded so thrilled, so enamoured with her.

  The only thing Axl was ever excited for was to kill or hunt or to maim. Then there were the few times a rare steak got him going. But a woman this intense seemed to rile him up.

  “Fran-”

  “It's Miss Bianchi to you.” That crack of defiance was insanely sexy in his eyes. He looked at her, his face serious. His bear continued to ride him and even though he had come up with every excuse he could think of there was no denying it.

  This beautiful, sassy, teasing and fierce woman was his.

  His mate, a luxury he never thought he could have not even with all the money and connections in the world. This was something money could not buy. The chance to be truly happy. Now that he knew for sure she was his. He wouldn't allow her to push him away. Not without giving him a chance. Even then he doubted he would ever let her go.

  “Francesca you'll have to be more clear with me.” He had refused her request. He was unclear of what she even said a few moments ago. Besides just the sheer surprise of seeing her again. His attention had been on her body and face and the realization she was his. But she was serious and he had to listen.

  “Okay fine. My parents Claudia and Raymond Regio owe you.” Her words were clipped like she was stopping herself from saying more. He nodded his head in that truth. Raymond had lost thousands at the tables and from what he heard they hadn’t put the rest of the money to good use at all.

  “Eighty thousand I know.” One thing was tugging at his curiosity though. He knew everything about most people, even the secrets they tried so desperately to hide. “I wasn't aware they had children.” She looked at him and then away. Stepping from one foot to the other.

  “I kept my fathers' last name.” She had wanted to sound venomous, he was sure. She just sounded hurt really. That told him a lot and he wondered where her father was or what happened to him.

  Even if he could sense the desire in her he could feel the waves of pain as well. He wanted to go up and hold her soft body against his in comfort and tell her everything was going to be okay. Because it would be, he would make damned sure of it.

  Frannie was upset though and all of it aimed at him. He wouldn’t cloud her space with his own yet. She needed time to breathe. He forced himself to stay still. Once she accepted him they would have all the time in the world.

  He tried to continue on business as usual. “Your parents have a pretty extensive debt.” He watched as her eyes were flashing from amber to molten gold the chocolate in them almost gone.

  “I'm aware but you’re exploiting them. You're a criminal.” He ignored her criminal comment though he had to admit it stung just a little to be reminded of what he truly was. “A fifty thousand dollar interest on thirty grand is ridiculous.”

  His people, all shifters, had gone through enough that he wouldn't hang them out to dry, at least not like this. She would need to realize that he wasn’t a crook. Especially since she was going to spend her life with him.

  He walked up to her still giving her space but he had to be closer. It was paining him not to be. He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her, his finger itching to just reach out and stroke her cheek.

  “ I run a business, Francesca. They borrowed eighty thousand, not thirty. They were supposed to pay back eighty thousand last year. I'm not the type to take someone's roof from over their heads.” He stepped back, too close to giving up his control as her scent surrounded him. “And for the record, I don't add interest to shifter debts only humans.”

  A flash of annoyance flickered through her beautiful eyes and she thought for a moment before shaking her head. Those waves he loved so much moving with her.

  “Fine, I don't care. Transfer their bill to me. I'll take care of it once I go back to California.” The thought of her not being in the same room bothered his mind, never mind being in the same state. Axl growled and fought his cage harder and harder. Benson could feel his eyes a bright emerald but he didn't care.

  “I have a better idea. I'll wipe their debt clean.” His tone was firm, his face like stone as he watched her confused and conflicted expression.

  “What why? I do-”

  “On one condition.” He circled her like a hawk. Her intoxicating scent making every step a struggle. Her ass was big and juicy calling to him. The goddess was truly testing him.

  “What?” She asked, her breath shaky and uneven. A flicker of fear in her eyes and what he hoped was excitement.

  “Let me take you out to dinner.” He said practically eating her up with every glance.

  “Dinner with me, worth eighty grand. What are you playing at?” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. Axl came to the surface nearly making him falter. They hated the way their woman, their mate talked about herself.

  He stopped circling her to step in close behind her. He bent down whispering in her ear. “You're worth so much more than that Francesca.” She bit her lip and blushed a warm rose. He noted the way she shivered and the goose bumps that rose on her neck. He couldn’t help himself as he reached out and fingered the ends of a lock of hair.

  “I'm not gonna sleep with you.” He could smell the lie in her voice and dropped the soft wave. They really need to have a conversation about being honest with themselves. This all could have been avoided if they listened to their inner beasts the other night.

  To think he could have had her under him for at least a day by now. He’d be kicking himself for having wasted that time. He would not wait any longer.

  “I'm not asking you to sleep with me. Though if it comes to that I don't think you'll be complaining. Besides you’re the one that told me I could satisfy you.” His words sent a promise of pleasure he doubted she had known yet.

  “I'm only asking you to sit down with me to eat. I don't think that's a hard bargain.”

  He stepped back and came to stand in front of her. The space much needed as he believed he would not be able to stop himself if he touched her again.

  “Fine, but if you lay a single finger on me I'll kill you. I mean it.” He couldn't help but laugh as she pointed a petite finger at him. Axl even chuckled himself, Our mate she's fierce. Strong willed she will make a wonderful mate.

  “You have my word Francesca, I won't touch you any more than you want me to.” He smirked at her knowing full well eventually she would be begging for his touch.

  She blushed and he wanted to grab her up and kiss those full lips of hers. He held back for her sake. She wasn’t ready yet that much was obvious. They would go through the motions at din
ner. He was just pleased she agreed.

  He would tell her there was no way she could leave him. Not with the pleasure he could give her. Not with the happiness they could experience together. Not with all he could provide her. She would never want for anything ever again.

  “Are we done here?” She asked, eyeing the door behind her antsy to leave.

  “No, we aren't.” He reached into his pocket and grabbed his wallet. Pulling out his black card he handed it to her.

  She grasped it gently, turning it over to look at it before he continued. “Please take it. I want you to wear whatever you want.” He stated before returning to lean against his desk.

  She looked at the card, a shine of hunger and annoyance flashing across her face. He looked at her curiously wondering what was going on in that beautiful mind of hers.

  She then walked up to him flipping the black card between her fingers. A glint of mysteriousness showed in the molten gold of her eyes as she got closer and closer. One seductive step at a time.

  He watched her and anticipated her next move. Still he held his hands at his sides. His control was at its limits as she sauntered up to him, hips swinging bewitching him.

  She placed her jacket on the back of one of the expensive leather chairs before coming so close her breast pushed up against his chest. He was bewildered seeing as Frannie hadn't seemed like the type to take charge. He wasn’t complaining though.

  She let out a small shy breathy moan, his hands instinctively going to hold her hips as his cock sat tight against his dress pants and grazed her leggings -covered core.

  She was making this so hard on him as she felt perfect under his fingers. Take what is ours! She is right in front of us, in our grasp! Axl growled annoyed but happy she was nearby at all. Alexander ignored him his control renewed knowing his beast was watching.

  Out of sheer curiosity, he waited to see what she would do. She placed his card on the desk behind him and looked up at him.

  “I don't need your money. I don’t want you money. Let's get one thing straight. I'm not yours Alexander Benson and I never will be. So don’t treat me like you own me.” The sound of his name on her lips was going to bring him to his knees if she continued on.

  His woman was defiant, independent and he loved that. He doubted whatever money she had wasn’t even a fraction of what he could provide her. He wasn't going to force her to use his money though. She was her own woman and right now she didn't think she needed him.

  That was fine but she would come to the realization she may not need him monetarily or emotionally though he would prefer if she did. But she was going to need him physically and that need would burn between her legs until she had him.

  She had come so close he was crazy with her scent. He growled near her ear. “You know very well what's happening between us. Don’t think you can run from this.” She needed to know he wasn’t going anywhere.

  Benson's hands sunk deeper into her hips as his now elongated teeth just gently grazed her neck. Memories of how much she enjoyed that in his car flashing before him.

  She moaned loudly near his ear, her arousal mixed with annoyance apparent in the air. She hated that she liked it. He chuckled at that, his own voice husky and wanting.

  He moved around her quickly pinning her back onto his desk, his papers falling gently to the floor in a soft clatter. Standing between her legs, he rubbed his erection against her core. His bear roared, spurring him on.

  She looked at him, her breaths heady and desperate. She dug her sharp little fingers into the front of his dress shirt scratching his skin underneath. Francesca's legs slung around his hips pushing him further into her.

  Her seemingly sassy and sweet nature was turning dark and sultry. He loved it. She was a double edged sword ready for a kill. He bent down his mouth near her ear.

  “Francesca. You're mine.” Her name a reprimand at how she was teetering on a very thin line. He wouldn't hesitate to take her here and now on his desk. Tear her clothes off with his bare hands and make her scream his name in pleasure. Fuck her pretty cunt so hard she would be bow legged for a week. By the gods she was everything he could have dreamed.

  The dazed lust look in her eyes was enough to make him lose himself. Her lips parted and he got close a breath away. Her voice was husky. “I dont think so.”

  Her attitude towards their connection just made him want her more. To prove to her there would never be another not for either of them. Alexander reached up to tear the neckline of her shirt ready to show her the beast he could be. To show her that her body belongs to him even if her mind refused him.

  “Boss.“ He froze his hand clenched in a fist. Benson closed his eyes and gritted his teeth at the interruption. Axl was roaring impatient and fuming.

  “What is it?” He snapped at the male looking to see it was one of the newer guards. Instead it was Costas, his most trusted right hand man.

  “Mr.Kaiser is saying he won't wait any longer. As well as your other clients are still waiting. Do you want me to tell them to fuck off?” What a way to kill his mood. But he would relish in the moments he had with his mate, his amazing Francesca.

  He released Frannie from his hold on her allowing her to get off the desk and straighten herself. Alexander stood in front of her shielding her body from Costas curious eyes. Like she was in a spell her eyes snapped back to reality as she readied herself to leave. The gold of her eyes was gone where only the chocolate with amber fireflies remained.

  “Get Carl to escort Miss Bianchi home and send Kaiser in.” He said strictly. The man quickly followed his orders, getting on the phone to send for Carl. Kaiser was really the only prick he had to deal with today he would dismiss the others after.

  Let us continue! We had her! Axl growled out. Alexander internally told the bear it’d be better for them to have her away from other males and Axl begrudgingly agreed.

  “I don't need a driver.” Frannie argued as she put her coat on. Her cheeks were flushed and she wouldn't look him in the eye. Benson though was hardly embarrassed, his hair was a little messy so he straightened it by running a hand through the silky strands.

  The only thing that made him feel a little embarrassed was how he was basically dry humping her and was gonna come in his pants like a pimple faced teen boy. That fact alone got his face to tighten up quickly.

  He touched her chin tilting it up to meet his gaze.“Maybe not but you will accept it. I need to know you made it home safely. Please, Francesca.” He saw how more than anything she wanted to continue this cat and mouse game. But alas they couldn't. If it was any consolation he wanted to as well. He had never wanted anything more in his life.

  “Fine. This is the last time I'm going to deal with your bossy attitude. I just don't feel like taking the subway.” She finally said solemnly as she slipped from his grasp. As she took a few steps from him he called out her name and she turned reluctantly.

  “You will not take the subway again. I will send a driver if you need to go anywhere.” She rolled her eyes clearly, not taking him seriously. That was fine, she would soon find out he was serious. If he couldn’t be with her all the time he would make damn sure she was looked after by his men.

  He smirked at her as he watched her walk out the door, her head held high. The absence of her becoming apparent after only seconds. He wanted her back already. His brave woman coming to confront a powerful man, planning on taking him head on to help her family.

  She was brave, sexy, family oriented and had a wicked way with her words that drove him mad. He was falling so hard and so fast.

  Mr.Kaiser was soon to appear after she left. Benson had sat back in his chair his papers picked up from the floor. His card Francesca had left behind now tucked back into his wallet. He was still sporting a bit of an erection and didn't want Kaiser to know so he remained seated as the man approached.

  We must dispose of him. Axl snarled and Benson agreed, this man wasn’t worth the air he breathed.

  The older man walked in
, a swagger in his step. He looked at Benson with scorn in his dark eyes. The man had a particular distaste for Alexander and he knew why.

  Raepheal Benson and Wilfred Kaiser were acquainted as Alexander understood. Yet the various times he had seen the man at his home as a teen, he assumed it was more than a mere acquaintance. One day though he just stopped coming. One day turned to one month and so on. Not that Alexander minded Mr.Kaiser was an uncomfortable man to be around.

  Apparently whatever he wanted from Alexander's father he didn’t get and now sought it out here after Raphael's death. Now Alexander's father wasn’t the type of man to turn down any opportunity to make money but after reading the proposal from Kaiser last night he realized why he stopped showing up all those years ago.

  The man was disgusting. Alexander wouldn’t praise his father for much but he appreciated the fact he wasn’t as terrible a lowlife as Kaiser.