Page 125 of The Alpha

She noted how blue his eyes had become. “I see. You’ll keep the monsters away then?” Okay, she had to admit that having a handsome alien sleeping near her to protect her was kinda hot. But really, what were the chances of someone breaking into her apartment and grabbing her?

She shook her head. All right, so they were pretty good. Pari sobered at the thought and tried to move past him.

“Pari…” He blocked her path. “You do understand why I must stay close?”

She nodded but didn’t look at him. Part of her was embarrassed by this. The other enthralled. She should be able to take care of herself. But when she thought of that horrid steel table she’d been strapped to. Dr. Charles hovering over her, the cell, the poking and prodding, all of it. Well, she shook.

“Pari,” he said with a hint of urgency. “Iwillkeep you safe.” He tucked a finger under her chin and brought her face up to look at him. “You do believe me, don’t you?”

She nodded. But who was going to keep her safe once he was gone? And when he did leave (which he eventually would) did she even need protection? Would her uncles? “Why… why are you here?”

He sighed, and before she knew it, he was lifting her onto the kitchen counter. She let out a little squeak as he sat her down, then placed his hands on either side of her boxing her in. “To protect you. To keep you safe.”

“And our date? What’s that about?”

“To get to know you better.” He drew closer. “And you can get to know me.”

Pari closed her eyes. If she asked “why” again she was going to sound stupid. What did they want with her? It had to be more than just getting to know her. Were Kwaku and Zara here to make sure he got whatever “it” was?

“You’re over thinking this,” he said gently.

She sucked in a breath. “Will you stop doing that?”

He gave her a little smile. “I can’t help it. It just happens.”

“How can you know my every mood and what I’m feeling?”

He put a finger to his nose.

Pari rolled her eyes. “You can smell it? Wow, just wow!”

Melvale straightened. “You arenotout of danger! Neither am I. We both must take precautions.” He looked at the bowls in herhands. “We will speak of this later. We’re holding up the game.” He put his hands to her waist and lifted her off the counter. As soon as her feet touched the floor, she hurried into the dining room and passed out the bowls. She wasn’t surprised to see that half the popcorn was gone; or her uncles giving Kwaku the death glare.

He munched happily and beamed at them.

Everyone filled their bowls with what was left, and they resumed their game. Kwaku, despite landing in jail several more times, won. Much to her uncles’ dismay, and it was now time to retire.

“This was a fun evening, folks,” Uncle Al said. “Are you staying at a hotel?”

“No, uncle,” Pari said. “They’re staying with me.”

“What?!” Uncle Leo huffed. He narrowed his eyes at Melvale. “I’m watching you.” He pointed at him for good measure. “Remember what I said.”

Melvale held up his hands as if Uncle Leo had a gun pointed at him. “I’ll treasure every threat.”

“Hold them close to your heart,” Uncle Leo growled.

Pari’s jaw went slack. Oh no! What did her uncle say to him?

Melvale smiled at her. “Nothing to worry about. Come on, let’s go upstairs.”

“You’re staying too, right?” Uncle Leo asked Kwaku and Zara.

“We are,” Zara said.

“Well,” Leo huffed. “I suppose it’s something.”

Kwaku laughed, turned to Zara, and smiled. “Hungry, beloved?”

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