Page 33 of Alpha Marked

Andrea nodded. "Yes. All of your pieces sold within sixty seconds of the doors opening."

"I… I don't understand. How? Who-"

"I bought them," a low voice boomed in her ear.

Shivers ran over River's body as a warm palm landed on the small of her back, and the delicious scent of smoke and vanilla filled her nostrils. Her wolf howled in delight, but River's heart sank. How had she not caught his scent when she'd walked through the door? Better yet, how had he found her? How had he known about the exhibit? It wasn't like they put up ads across Central Park or anything.

Andrea smiled at the man standing so close to River his thighs pressed against hers from behind.

Heat wafted through her again at his nearness, and she fought the desire to turn and look at him. Damn, he smelled amazing, and as his thumb traced a circle on the small of her back, her body threatened to betray her.

Stop! Just Stop!

"River. This is the gentleman who has so amazingly bought your entire collection. All you have to do is agree to the price and sign the contract."

River thought she might faint as she faced those beautiful, intense green-blue eyes. His eyes softened as he took in her face, and she fought the need to rake her fingers through his soft hair again. Not that she would have been able to since he'd slicked it back. He had also shaved, revealing a stronger jawline than she'd thought.

"Excuse me for not introducing myself," he said. "My name is Prince Ares Wolvenguard of the Montreal Wolvenguards."

Prince. Prince? Did he say, Prince?

River's legs committed mutiny, and Ares slipped his arm around her waist, steadying her.

He chuckled. A warm, rumbly sound. "Seems I have caused the lady to swoon. I think she might need a moment. Can we use your office, Andrea?"

It wasn't so much a request as a statement. But the award-winning smile he aimed at Andrea made Flynn Rider's smolder look like nothing more than puppy dog eyes from a toddler.

Andrea smiled. "Of course, Your Highness. When you are done talking price, I will witness the contract for you."

He shot Andrea a toothy smile, lighting up his face and making River's heart forget its job.

He gripped River's hip tightly as he escorted her out of the gallery and down a short hall to Andrea's office. The sensation sent waves of fear and desire coursing through her.

What the hell was wrong with her? Her body had a mind of its own. Heating and wanting to be touched, though it was beyond inappropriate. She'd never been a PDA kind of girl.

River scanned for an exit, but there wasn't any. He held the door for her as she stepped into the office before closing and locking it. No escaping him this time.

Within a heartbeat, he had her pinned to the cold brick wall, his hard body pressing against hers gently. Terror overtook her, and she once again couldn't make her legs work. She closed her eyes and waited for what he might do next. Would he yell at her? Strike her? Reject her?

His hot lips slid down her throat, and she involuntarily let out a moan.

"You ran from me," he growled into her skin.

He pinned her arms above her head, her pulse kicked up as his palms wrapped around her skin.

"Did you realize what had happened between us?"

She nodded.

"And still, you ran from me." He searched her face. "Though you knew you were my mate."

Her wolf howled.My Alpha. My Mate. Mine.

The longer he pressed against her, the closer she came to giving in to the mating bond and letting him take her against the wall.

"Say something. I want to hear your voice."

"Something."

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