Page 14 of Return of the Alpha

He holds out hishand in my direction. “Hi, I’m James. It’s nice to meet you.”

I try to fight thesmile pulling at my lips and I lose the battle. “April,” I sayshaking his hand.

“I just joined thepack, and I was wondering if you might want to show me around?” hesays, releasing my hand and sticking it in his front jeanpocket.

“I’m sure we canhelp you. There are some great people here.”

“I’ve heard nicethings,” he replies with a devilish smile. “I’ve also heard thehumans in town aren’t too bad.”

“They aren’t,” Iagree with a nod. “But I don’t have a car so someone else will haveto show you around town. I also don’t know how to drive.”

“Well, I have a cara new friend said I could borrow that we can use. And I don’t mindteaching you how to drive. See it as repayment for you showing mearound.”

“Well, aren’t youjust a nice guy?” I joke. “Trading favors and all.”

“It’s selfishreally,” he says. “I get to spend more time with you.”

I feel myself blushdeeply. I have no idea what to say after that. I’m not used tobeing the center of anyone’s attention.

“Let’s get breakfastin town,” he says hurriedly when I remain silent. “You can show mearound and I can give you your first driving lesson.”

I smile softly.“Unfortunately, I can’t do that today. I have plans to help Xavia,our pack elder, repair the fence around her vegetable garden.”

He nods. “Do youthink you might need help with that?”

“Many hands, lightwork.”

Chapter Seven

James

I didn’t considerwhat I would say or do once I made it to April’s house. All I knewwas I needed to see her more than I needed my next breath.Apparently, flying by the seat of my pants is a good idea because Ihave spent the past six hours with her, helping her and Xaviarepair the fence and paint it.

She is beautiful,always, but by the Goddess is she stunning in the sunshine, sweatyand smiling. Looking at her too long makes my heart constrict in mychest and I often have to remind myself of the task at hand. Ican’t remember ever feeling this way, even with Peyton’smother.

“I think we shouldbreak for lunch,” Xavia says with a smile. “The two of you havehelped me more than I expected.”

“We’re happy tohelp,” April says, hugging the older woman tightly. “And we’ll beback later to finish the task.”

“Oh, no, you won’t,”Xavia laughs, the sun glinting off her white hair. “I’m old and Ineed a nap. If you really want to finish the fence you can comeback another day.”

I nod in agreement.The sun is high in the sky. I would prefer it if April wasn’t outgetting sunburned. As shifters we are resilient but in our humanforms such small inconveniences can still be painful.

Xavia stands in herdoorway, smiling as she waves, and we make our way toward April’shome.

“Would you like tojoin me for lunch?” April asks softly, almost self-consciously.

“That would begreat. Thank you.”

“I’m not a greatcook but I can make a fairly mean bacon, egg, and cheese toastedsandwich.”

“Woman, don’t joke,”I say seriously. “I haven’t had bacon in years.”

“Then it’ssettled.”

We walk incomfortable silence until we reach her door, and she leads me intothe kitchen. Her home is just like her, not quite what you expectedwhen you’re looking at the outside. She smiles as she fries thebacon and assembles the sandwiches while I watch her from my seatat the table. I can imagine sitting here for every meal andwatching her cook for me. The vision in my mind morphs and changesand I see her swollen with my child. If I was standing, the thoughtalone would have brought me to my knees.

She places my lunchin front of me, leaning over and giving me a glimpse of hercleavage down the front of her bright orange t-shirt. Aninvoluntary growl escapes me, causing her to blush. Beneath thewooden surface I adjust my erection even though I know she canscent my arousal.

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