The Alpha Male Romance Boxed Set

by Terry Towers

  Flipping on the light, she stepped into the room and raised the gun to his chest while she took a good look at him. He was as devilishly handsome as ever, forest green eyes gleaming and his smile, sexy and seductive.

  "It's me... Scott." he assured her rising from the chair, his hands spread out, palms facing her in surrender, slightly confused she was still holding a gun to his chest.

  "Oh, I know it's you Scott. Why do you think I have the gun raised to your chest?" She took a few steps into the room and stopped halfway to him. "Stay where you are."

  "I'm not here to hurt you, Lily, you must know that," his brow furrowed and a hurt look crossed his features. He took a couple of steps towards her and she fired, the bullet embedding itself in the wall to the left of his head.

  "Holy fuck, Lily!" His mouth dropped open as he looked at the bullet hole.

  "I told you not to move, Scott."

  "You could have killed me!"

  "Oh, if I wanted you dead you would be already. I've gotten quite good with a gun, Scott. You trained me well, and I rarely miss a day at the range." She shot off another round between his legs, the bullet planting itself in the bottom of the armchair behind him. She raised the gun back to his chest.

  He raked a hand through his hair. "You're angry. I get that."

  She strode towards him, until the barrel of the gun pressed into the navy button down shirt he was wearing. "Angry. Yeah, I'm a little angry."

  "Can we talk?" His eyes looked down to the barrel of the gun pressed into his chest. "Without the gun."

  With a sigh, she flipped the safety on and tucked it back into her handbag and then raised an eyebrow at him. "Better?"

  Scott released his breath in a loud puff of and raked his fingers through his hair once more. "Much. Thank you."

  "I noticed you called off the hounds a few weeks back."

  "Yeah, it's over. You haven't needed them for some time now."

  She tossed her handbag to the coffee table and crossed her arms over her chest. "Since the day you killed the drug lord?"

  Scott let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, since then." He glanced over to the sofa. "Can we sit down?"

  The anger was subsiding, slightly. Damn it. She wanted to stay angry, but her curiosity about why he’d shown up today after eight months overrode her desire to be difficult. "Alright," she made her way to the sofa and plunked herself down in the center, tucking her legs under her, the knee length skirt of her white sundress fanning out around her.

  He sat next to her, and draped his arm around the back of the sofa, inviting her to lean into him. Despite her wanting to fall into his arms, she refrained. She wanted answers and she wouldn't get them falling for him again.

  "I'm out."

  "You're out?" she raised a curious brow at him. "What do you mean by you’re out?"

  "I gave it up. I walked away. I want to be normal."

  Scott took her hands in his and she let him. When she looked into his eyes she saw the real man behind them, the vulnerable man, and it tugged at her heart. She saw his pain, his regret and his frustration.

  "Do you have any idea how many times I stood on the doorstep and begged them to tell you I needed to see you? That I needed to talk to you, even just a phone call? Or at the very least assure me that you were alive. Do you have any idea how many times?"

  He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "I do. I thought it was better to let you move on. So you'd be safe and could forget about the nightmare I put you through."

  "But I couldn't," she interjected. "I even considered going to see a psychologist so I could vent, but what could I say? What could I tell them that wouldn't have me committed to a psychiatric hospital?"

  His frown deepened. "I know." He hesitated a moment, but then pulled her gently to him, pulling her onto his lap.

  Lily cuddled close to him. She wanted to be angry with him. She wanted to so badly, but she needed him. She needed his hard body holding her tight, and the spicy musk scent of his cologne and the security she felt with him being around.

  "I've needed you Scott and you left me alone." She felt the tears welling up and fought them back.

  He pulled her tighter and kissed the top of her head and then buried his face in her hair. "I'm a horrible man, Lily. I don't deserve you, but God help me I want you. I've done so many horrible things, things that a normal person would never consider, but I don't want to be that man anymore. Those few days with you made me want to be a better person, for you and for myself. I want to change and start a new life."

  Lily, looked up at him, her eyes locking onto his as her hand stroked the side of his face. The whole situation was crazy, but she couldn't help the fact that she wanted and needed him as much as he needed her. "So what are you proposing? We start dating?"

  A grin touched his lips for the first time and he held up a finger, signalling for her to sit tight. Leaning over the edge of the sofa he grabbed something from the floor. When he straightened back up he passed her a dozen red roses. "Well, it would be a start. I think I promised eight months ago that if it were a different place and a different time I'd give you roses and take you to some pompous, overpriced restaurant."

  "With the snooty waiters." Lily laughed as she accepted the flowers. She brought the roses to her nose and inhaled, taking in the sweet scent, before placing them on the sofa next to her. A smile touched her lips. "So you think flowers and dinner will win me over?" she teased.

  Scott chuckled, slid a hand to the nape of her neck and urged her lips down towards his. "Well a guy has to start somewhere, right?"

  Lily gave in to him, grazing her lips across his and feeling the fire ignite within her at the touch of his lips against hers. The eight months seemed to melt away and she once more felt the passion for him every bit as strong as she'd felt it the last time they were together. Except this time, he was really hers. He wasn't leaving her with the possibility of never coming back. He was there to stay.

  Normal? He'd said he wanted to be normal and have a normal life with her. She doubted they could ever be 'normal'. But to hell with it... as far as she was concerned normal was highly overrated anyhow.

  The End

  The CEO

  And the Girl From The

  Coffee Shop

  By

  Terry Towers

  The CEO And The Girl From The Coffee Shop

  Copyright 2012 by Terry Towers

  Cover by: Terry Towers

  All rights reserved. With the exception of brief quotes used for critical reviews and articles no part of this book may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the author Terry Towers. Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Terry Towers can be contacted via her website at www.elixaeverett.com

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via internet or other means, electronic or print without the authors permission. Criminal copyright infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov.ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

  Chapter 1

  "Damn, damn, damn," Beth muttered, leaning over the coffee shop front counter, pen in hand, attempting to find a way to make college possible. Sadly, the numbers didn't seem to want to co-operate. As it appeared, financially college just wasn't going to be happening for her this coming fall semester. There was no way around it; she was barely making enough to survive as it was. She was making so many sacrifices, too many as a matter of fact. Having to cut back on the hours she worked at the coffee shop in order to attend school, while paying the ma
ssive tuition wouldn't work. As it was the cost of living was a financial burden that was more than she could handle at the present time.

  "Damn," she cursed again a little more loudly than she intended, as she rolled the offending list of expenses up in her fist, turned, and tossed the paper ball into the nearby garbage can. The paper ball hit the back of the can and fell in soundlessly.

  "Impressive shot."

  Beth sighed as she turned back towards the counter and gave Gabriel a faint smile. Any other day she would have loved seeing Gabriel - his visits were normally the highlight of her afternoon. However, today was different, not even the sight of her secret crush could brighten her day. Nope, not even the tall, lean, dark-haired hunk in the finely tailored suit with the piercing dark eyes, could take her mind off of her troubles.

  "Afternoon Gabriel,” she said solemnly.

  Leaning an elbow on the beige marble counter separating them he smiled at her. His sweet, seductive smile helped melt the icy mood she'd been in, up until that point - slightly. "So, come on, tell me what's bothering you? Where’s that beautiful smile you usually present me with?” He had a warm yet concerned look on his face.

  “Oh I got it! Your boss is being a jerk?" he teased lightly.

  A smile began to lift the corners of Beth's lips for the first time that day as she shook her head. "No."

  He raised an inquisitive brow at her. "Oh I definitely got it now. Boyfriend troubles, right?"

  Her smile widened. "Hardly." Grabbing a large paper cup from the dispenser she began to pour his coffee.

  "The usual?" she asked, ignoring his question. She didn't want to be spilling her financial woes to customers - not even Gabriel. And as for her non-existent love life - she really didn't want to be spilling that to him.

  Gabriel nodded. “Okay I’m done guessing,” he gave a little chuckle. “Then tell me? What's wrong?"

  Beth secured the plastic lid onto the cup and sighed, sliding the cup across the counter to him. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned her hip against the counter and caught his gaze. "Do you really want to know or are you just being polite?"

  Damn, he looks good today. The top button of his off-white shirt was undone. His black satin tie hung loosely around his neck. He looked as though he could have just walked off the pages of 'GQ magazine.' He was, without a doubt, one of the hottest men she'd ever met. His easygoing demeanour and sinfully sexy smile complimented his good looks perfectly. Does he even know how hot he is? She found herself wondering, Of course he does... How could he not?

  Gabriel chuckled. "I really want to know. Wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

  Beth huffed. "Well, the problem is that I just can't catch a break."

  "Can't catch a break?" Grabbing a bill from his trousers pocket he passed it to her as he accepted the coffee. "Why do you say that?"

  Accepting the payment she rang in his total and proceeded to give him his change. When she offered it to him, as usual, he waved it off so she dropped it into her tip jar. The tip equalled roughly three times the cost of the coffee; he was easily the best tipper to walk through the doors of the coffee shop.

  "Well, I'm halfway through college and there is no way I'm going to afford to be able to go back next year. I can barely pay my bills even with all the overtime I put in this place. Like, take this week for instance. I have a choice... do I pay my electricity or my telephone bill?"

  Gabriel nodded appearing grim, but amusement gleamed in his eyes as she continued on. All of a sudden the dam broke and the need to purge her grievances was too overwhelming so she continued her rant, the words falling from her lips like verbal diarrhoea that she was helpless to stop. "So that means I'm stuck here. At the shitty dead end job for another year. Hell, maybe even the rest of my life! I'm twenty-three years old and facing a lifetime of being the donut girl. It wouldn't even be so bad if I had a boyfriend, or hell, got laid once in a while. But no. None of that either. The only men I seem to attract are criminals, married men or unemployed losers." Beth huffed and shook her head in defeat. "Just can't catch a break..."

  Nodding, a smile spread across Gabriel's lips as he raised a brow at her. "Well as far as the telephone and electricity issues go I might be able to help you there."

  Frowning, Beth caught his eyes. Her heart stopping for a moment and her face flushed. Oh-my-God. She groaned inwardly. Now he thinks I'm some sex starved charity case. She prayed for death at that moment. Though looking at him, his dark eyes burrowing into hers, she knew she'd have told him anything he wanted to know. Somehow she doubted many women could resist answering any questions or fulfilling any request he may send their way.

  Feeling the heat rush up to her cheeks, Beth shook her head. "No. No, I wasn't implying or hinting. I-"

  Gabriel's grin widened. "So you don't want a better job?'' He shrugged, "Or at least a better paying job. Not sure if I would say better."

  "W-well. No, I do. I mean, I didn't mean to be looking for handouts. I just-"

  "Can you cook?" Gabriel asked laughing outright as he reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and producing a business card which he passed to her.

  The heat in her cheeks intensified and she nibbled lightly on her lower lip. "Macaroni and cheese." she joked. Could she cook? He had to be joking. She had to be the worst cook she knew. Nothing ever seemed to turn out right, no matter how much time or effort she took to prepare a meal. She overcooked everything. Some people were meant to be domestic; she wasn't one of those people.

  Taking the card from him, she glanced down at it. "Gabriel Reynolds Enterprises."

  "Yeah, that's me," he confirmed, with a disinterested shrug.

  She looked up from the card to meet his eyes. She had no idea what Gabriel Reynolds Enterprises was, but he seemed to be awfully young to be running anything. He couldn't have been a day over thirty.

  "You know what," reaching back into his inner pocket, he produced a silver pen, retrieved the card from her fingertips and quickly jotted down a phone number and address. "I have to go. I have a meeting in ten minutes, but give me a call tonight, we'll arrange a meeting and see what we can figure out for you."

  Beth accepted the extended card once again, and decided to ask the question that was at the forefront of her mind. "Why would you do this for me?"

  Snatching his coffee from the counter he grinned at her, and gave her a wink, sending her pulse racing. "Maybe I like the way you make my coffee."

  Rolling her eyes at him, she couldn't help but grin; his smile was infectious. "I press a button on a machine and it pours it into a cup..."

  "Call me tonight," he called over his shoulder ignoring her comment, as he rushed across the dining room and out the front door.

  Beth watched as he strode across the parking lot, taking long, graceful strides. Working for Gabriel... Cooking? She tapped her lower lip with the edge of the business card as she watch him slide into his black Lamborghini, pull out of the parking slot and speed away. She made a mental note to do an online search for Gabriel Reynolds Enterprises when she arrived home. Maybe he owned a chain of restaurants? She had always assumed he was some sort of hotshot lawyer, or something of the sort. Whatever it was that he did for a living, considering the expensive car, finely tailored suit and large tips he always gave her for a single cup of coffee, Beth guessed that business was very good for Mr Reynolds.

  ****

  "4591 Spruce Meadow Lane," Beth muttered, her blue eyes widening as she pulled her ancient Sunfire up to the tall - at least eight feet in height - wrought iron security fence and lowered her window to press the buzzer for admittance. It was easily one of the most magnificent homes she'd ever seen. It was a three story Victorian styled house that looked more like a hotel than someone's private home. It was something she'd expect to see on 'The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.'

  Once she got over her awe of the house, she pressed the buzzer and waited for a response.

  "Please state your name and business," an abrupt male voi
ce called over the speaker.

  "I um... I'm Beth. I'm here to see... Ummmm, Gabe... I mean... Mr Reynolds."

  There was silence from the mysterious voice on the other end.

  "About a job," she added groaning inwardly at herself. Why was she so nervous? He was just another customer. One she enjoyed flirting with on a daily basis, just like all the other good looking men who came into the coffee shop. Just because he owned a profitable Mergers and Acquisitions company - at least that's what she gathered from the online research - didn't change a thing. He was still the same Gabriel she'd been flirting with for months now. And if she hadn't read the signals wrong, he was more than happy to flirt back.

  "Come on through," the voice through the metal box answered as a creaking noise sounded, and the gates began to slowly part.

  Shifting the car into drive, Beth slowly made her way to the front of the house and parked behind Gabriel's Lamborghini. Taking a deep breath in, she attempted to calm her increasingly rattled nerves. There was rich and then there was this! She shut off the car while still eyeing the beautiful home. Looking down at her black knee length skirt and purple short sleeved blouse she immediately began feeling underdressed. Bending down she peered at herself in the driver's side mirror, flattening her shoulder length blonde hair and ensuring her make-up hadn't smudged. To her relief it hadn't.

  She suddenly laughed at herself for being so self-conscious. This was a job interview, not a date. While surfing the web trying to find out more about Gabriel, she'd seen a number of photographs with him and his dates. They were all leggy, model types who reeked of high-society and presumably owned little dogs they carried in their purses named Fefe or something equally as ridiculous. He was out of her league. Perhaps she was fun to flirt with in the afternoons while grabbing a coffee, but that was the extent of it for him she was sure. Sure she’d had a crush on him for some time now. But big deal. It was a crush, it didn't have to complicate matters.