***
When Alynna woke up, the sky was already light. Her hands moved across the bed and instead of a warm, hard body, she felt empty sheets.
Sighing, she rolled onto her back. She vaguely remembered the bed shifting sometime around dawn. A soft kiss on her temple and then….nothing. Alex left that morning without saying goodbye.
She grabbed one of her pillows and put it over her head. It muffled her voice as she groaned aloud in frustration. Dear Lord, what happened? It was like he had broken down her barriers and her need for him just took over. She wished she could talk to someone about this - was it her Lycan biology? Or, as she feared, was she continuing to fall for a man who wanted nothing to do with her?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As soon as she got up, Alynna had decided it was time to get on with her life. She had been presented to Lycan society, moved into The Enclave, and now she could move somewhat freely in the city.
She spent most of the morning sorting through her email, letters and packages. Lycans from all over the country were sending her letters and gifts, wishing her well. There were also many of them asking her out, which she wasn’t sure quite what to do. Cady and Grant had warned her, but she didn’t think they were serious. Apparently, she was the most eligible Lycan female in the world and many of her would-be suitors were not shy in making their interest known to her. She put all of them aside and decided to ask Cady or Grant the proper way to let them down.
After making herself some lunch, she worked through the files she was reading last night, taking notes and setting up her laptop on the desk she set up in the corner of her main room. She was quite surprised to find that the afternoon had gone by quickly and she had to get ready for dinner with Grant, Liam, and few of the VPs at Fenrir.
The group tonight was bigger than last night. According to Grant, they spent most of the day in meetings with Liam (Takeda had headed back to San Francisco earlier in the day), and things were going well and Fenrir was definitely going to fund some of the cancer startups Liam was working with. Alynna took a car to Fenrir and they all went to a trendy restaurant in Chelsea.
Alynna did her best to try to seem interested in what was going on, but all the business speak went over her head. She sat beside Liam, who included her in their conversations as much as he could, explaining details here and there.
Finally, it was time to call it a night. Grant said he had to head back to Fenrir, so Liam graciously offered to bring Alynna home. She gave her brother a smirk as he waved goodbye to them.
“Shall we?” Liam asked as he opened the door to his rented town car.
“Thank you,” she said, stepping inside, sliding over the plush leather seating to give room for Liam.
The door closed and the driver started the engine. Liam gave the driver directions, then he put up the privacy window.
They settled in and the car started to move.
“I—”
“What—”
They both said at the same time.
“Go ahead,” he said.
“No, it’s ok, what did you want to ask?” she said.
“I hope you don’t mind my asking, but it’s ok if you don’t…answer I mean,” he said. He reached over and slipped her hand into his.
“No, I mean…what is it?” Liam’s hand was warm against hers, and his scent, that of lemons and limes, filled her nostrils. It was pleasant scent for sure, though aside from warm fuzzy feelings, it did nothing else for her. Unlike… “Please, go ahead and ask,” she said, interrupting her own thoughts.
“Well, your mother…I mean the only thing I know about her is from the invitation that was sent from your clan. She was your father’s True Mate? And she was a human?”
She nodded. “Yes. I didn’t know about him until a few weeks ago. She passed on when I was 16.”
“Oh I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “What happened?”
She shrugged. “Cancer. Stage 4. Nothing we could do about it.”
“Oh, my father too,” he said, his eyes suddenly turning sad.
“Really?” she asked.
He nodded. “Stage 4 stomach cancer. The doctor gave him 6 months, but it was more like 6 weeks.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, gripping his hand. “That’s awful. You weren’t prepared, were you?”
Liam shook his head. “No, it was very sudden. He was fit as fiddle, and then it was like when he got the news…he lost his will to live.”
“I’m terribly sorry,” she repeated. “Is that why you’re trying to get funding for all these cancer startups?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “That’s part of the reason. Also, I wanted to do my own thing. Sure, I could work for the family food business, but well…that’s kind of my mom and dad’s thing. They grew my grandfather’s grocery business into one of the biggest restaurant supply companies in California. My mom still runs the day-to-day things. But, I kind of wanted to strike out on my own, you know?”
“Believe it or not, I do.”
“Really?” he asked. “What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know…I mean, I have ideas,” she bit her lip. “I hate having to shut down my Uncle Gus’ agency, but like you said…that was his thing.”
“Whatever you decide to do. I know you’ll be great!”
Before Alynna could reply, the car stopped. “Thanks…well, looks like we’re here.”
“Yes we are. I had a great time, as always,” he gave her a boyish smile.
Alynna thought for a moment, then leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Me too,” she said before stepping out of the car. She quickly ran to the entrance of the Enclave, but before she went through the door, she looked over her shoulder. Liam’s car remained in the driveway, the windows down. He was grinning at her, touching his cheek where she kissed him. She gave him a playful wave and walked into the door.
When she was clear of the doormen at the front door and in the elevator, she breathed out a sigh of relief and allowed herself a smile. A rush of excitement ran through her and she let that little bit of happiness flow through her.
It didn’t last though, and she felt the wind rush out of her when she turned the corner to her apartment door and saw who was standing there, looking devastatingly handsome and sexy. Her heart melted.
“Alex,” she said breathlessly.
***
“Did you enjoy your trip to New York?” Alynna asked, as she took a sip of wine. The week passed quickly and most nights she would have dinner with Liam and Grant, then Liam would take her home. Finally, on his last night, Alynn and Liam finally found time to have dinner alone.
“I did, very much,” Liam replied as he put his knife and fork to the side of his plate. One of the waiters quickly rushed forward to get the used dishes.
“Dessert and coffee, Mr. Henney?” the eager young man asked.
“Yes please, thank you,” he said politely. “And please do tell Chef Durand that the meal was absolutely exquisite.”
“I will, Mr. Henney,” the waited nodded and took the plates away.
“Thank you again, for dinner,” Alynna said. “This was excellent. I can’t believe you convinced the chef to give us a private room!” She looked around at richly decorated private dining room at Le Petite Lapin, one of the hottest and trendiest restaurants in Manhattan. The room wasn’t big, it could probably sit 8 people comfortably, but tonight it was only set for two. In the corner was a settee and coffee table, set next to a fireplace.
“Oh, Henri is friend of mine,” Liam replied. “He started out in San Francisco, you know. We used to supply him with the best ingredients for his restaurant.”
As if on cue, the chef himself, Henri Durand, came in brandishing two dishes with his special dessert and the waiter followed behind with a carafe of coffee and two cups. They set the dishes on a small settee to the side and the couple moved towards the small alcove. Henri greeted Liam with a flourish and showered Alynna with complements before he excused himself to gi
ve them some time alone.
“Oh wow,” Alynna moaned as she put a spoonful of pot de creme into her mouth. “This…this is amazing!”
“Better than sex,” Liam quipped.
“What?” Alynna nearly choked on the thick chocolate pudding in her mouth.
“Mieux Que Le Sexe, that’s what Henri called it,” Liam said, taking a mouthful himself. “Very apt.”
She gave him a nervous smile. “Right.” A stab of guilt surged through her. What the hell am I doing?
Alynna wasn’t the type of girl who went on dinner dates with one man and had sex with another when she came home. Sure, it was mind-blowing, earth-shattering sex. She figured whatever this thing she had with Alex would burn out soon. But try as she might, her body longed for him, wanted him. He showed up at her door every night that week (or one time, he was sitting on her couch when she got home and she didn’t know how he got in). She tried to talk to him, preparing a speech in her head everyday, just in case he came back (and he did, every night), but when she opened her mouth to speak, his lips stopped her and they just fell into bed (and her couch, shower, kitchen table, the rug a couple of times.) And every morning, he would leave at dawn.
And poor Liam, sitting beside her without a clue as to what was going on. And Alex? Maybe she did feel a little guilty, but she didn’t know what the heck they were doing anyway.
“Penny for your thoughts?” It was Liam who spoke first.
“Uhm…sorry…just you know…I have a lot on my mind.”
“No worries,” he put down his coffee cup and took her hands into his. They had grown comfortable over the past week, but their contact never went past hand holding or a kiss on the cheek goodnight. “Is it about your plans for the future.”
“Partly,” she didn’t want to lie. “I think I know what I want to do.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Well…I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ll let you know as soon as it takes shape, ok?”
He nodded. “Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be good.”
“Thanks!” she blushed at his complement.
“No, thank you. Also, I wanted to tell you, I’ve had a good time this week,” Liam leaned over and Alynna froze. His breathe was warm, his pleasant, citrusy scent enveloping her. She closed her eyes, waiting for the touch of his lips on her, but instead, his mouth landed on her cheek.
She sighed as he pulled away from her. He gave her a small smile and did that adorable thing where he rubbed that back of his head with his palm.
“Liam,” she began, but he spoke first.
“No, wait…I mean, may I say something?” She nodded and let him continue. “I think you’re an amazing person, incredibly funny, whip smart, witty, and gorgeous. And I like you. A lot.” He paused, touching her cheek with a finger. “But I can’t help but get this feeling that you don’t feel the same way.”
“No, Liam, I like you too!” she protested.
“There’s a but in there somewhere.”
“But,” she sighed. “Yes, there’s a but.”
“I know. I mean, I can feel it. That you’re not here with me, right now. It’s like…I know this sounds corny, but your heart isn’t here.”
Her jaw dropped at his perceptiveness. “No! I mean…yes, I don’t like you in that way…not yet, maybe I will?”
He gave a small laugh. “Wow, thanks.”
“I’m so sorry,” she turned away from him, hiding her face in her hands. “I tried. I wanted to like you in that way…to maybe fall in love with you. It could be so easy and simple.”
“But you can’t,” he finished. “Because you’re already in love with someone else.”
His words hit her like a Mack truck. She couldn’t believe Liam figured it out before she did. But he was right. She was in love with Alex. She sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Liam gave her a sheepish smile. “No need to apologize. Do you want to talk about it?”
Her throat burned slightly, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. “No,” she shook her head. “Can we just…please talk about something else?” She turned away from him and discreetly brushed the tears from her eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Well, if you want a laugh…apparently the Lycan gossip vine has been burning all week.”
“What?” she asked, puzzled. “What about?”
He laughed. “Believe it or not, you and me.”
“You and me?” she said in an incredulous voice.
He nodded. “News even made it back to my mother. She wants to know when I’m proposing.”
Alynna was glad she wasn’t eating or drinking when he said that, as she would probably have done a spit take all over his expensive suit. “You’re joking.”
“I wish I was,” he said. “I mean, if you weren’t…er…if you were available, you know I would have…not proposed tonight, but I mean, I was going to ask if you wanted to try and work it out. Maybe even invite you to visit or live in San Francisco, since you wanted to do your own thing.”
“That’s very nice of you,” she took his hand into hers. “I appreciate it, but New York is my home. My clan is here. My family is here.”
He smiled sadly. “Can’t blame a guy for trying, huh?”
“I’m-”
“Please don’t say sorry again. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
Alynna felt terrible. Liam was a great guy, he really was. He just wasn’t the one for her. She gave a silent prayer, hoping he’d find a great girl someday.
“Can I…do anything at all?” It sound trite, but she didn’t know what else to say.
“Well, there is one thing…I mean, you must know this being single and eligible thing in the Lycan society…”
She laughed. “Yes, I know. It’s annoying. I can’t even remember their names and they want to date me.”
“Yeah, well…Since I became Alpha, it’s like I’m a piece of meat, a prize to be won.”
“Ah, I see,” Alynna said with a glint in her eye. “So, we don’t admit or deny anything for now…”
“And let the rumor mill work on its own…”
“And maybe we can both have peace for a little bit,” she finished. “Brilliant!” At least she could get some actual work done, instead of having to write replies and return all the flowers, jewelry, and other gifts she’d been getting from overeager Lycans.
“So you’ll agree? You don’t mind? What about your…”
She shook her head. “Don’t worry about that. That’s…done. No one will mind.”
“Great!” Liam kissed her on the cheek. “It’s a little sly and cheeky. You should tell Grant, though. I don’t want him to think I’m playing around with his sister’s heart.”
“Of course,” she laughed.
“I’ll be visiting a couple of times a month, since I’ll be dealing with Fenrir a lot,” he mentioned. “It would be nice if…we could be friends.”
She smiled at him. “I’d like that.”
***
Liam was set to leave New York just after midnight, so after dinner, they set out to the private airstrip where his jet was waiting. Alynna insisted on bringing him there, though when she cleared it with Nick, he agreed, but only if she took one of the security guys with her.
“Ms. Chase.”
Alynna’s heart jumped into her throat when she saw who was standing outside the restaurant. Alex was dressed for work in a dark, professional suit. His face remained stoic, betraying no emotion.
“Alex,” she said. “I—“
“Ready?” Liam asked as he appeared behind her. He put a hand on her lower back and guided her to the waiting car.
She scooted in, leaving room for Liam. Alex got into the front passenger seat and they were on their way.
Liam seemed lively, chatting with her, talking to her about San Francisco and when she should come for a visit. She tried to keep it light, and if the Alpha noticed anything wrong with her, he didn’t betray it.
After
30 minutes, the car pulled into the airstrip, driving right up to the jet, which was waiting for its lone passenger. Liam went out of his side, walked over to Alynna’s side then opened the door. He helped Alynna out and she tucked her arm into his as they walked towards the staircase.
“Thank you for seeing me off.” He looked boyish and handsome with the wind whipping the locks of hair that normally fell over his forehead.
“You’re my friend, of course I’m going to see you off,” she laughed, patting him on the arm.
“Oh, we’re friends, are we?” he laughed.
“Of course!” she grinned.
“Well,” his voice turned serious. “As your friend, can I say one thing?”
Alynna nodded.
Liam took a deep breath. “It’s just that…well…if you want something, you should go for it. Whatever it is,” he gave her a warm smile, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You and I both know how short life can be. Don’t waste time living it with regret.”
A vicelike grip squeezed her heart and tears threatened to spill down her cheeks again. “Liam…”
“Is it…” he didn’t finish, but glanced over to the waiting car.
Her shoulders sank, and he knew the answer.
“Don’t wait. Tell him.”
“I can’t,” she stated. “He won’t…it’s not like that…he doesn’t.”
His lips tightened. “Believe me, he does,” he gripped her shoulders tighter. “Let me show you.”
“What do you—mmph!” she let out a small, surprised squeak as Liam pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. It was weird, how one man could touch her and kiss her and elicit nothing more than brotherly affection, while another, equally handsome man’s lips could set her whole body on fire.
“Liam!” she exclaimed as he pulled away. “You shouldn’t have done that!”
He gave her a smirk. “We gave quite a show, I think.” He gave her a little salute as he ascended the steps.
Fated Mates: Book 1 of the True Mates Series Page 20
