Page 185 of The Alpha

Mr. Vance shuddered again. “Understood, sir.”

58

Pari and Melvale took a cab into Manhattan and soon Pari was walking alongside Melvale to her appointment with Dr. Merrill. Her heart was beating faster than normal, and she knew Melvale was only trying to protect her, but doggone it if she didn’t want a little privacy again. He wasn’t going to accompany her into her appointment, was he?

“Penny for your thoughts, Kitten,” he said next to her.

She looked at him and smiled anyway. Yes, she wanted a little time to herself. It was how she recharged. But he was so handsome, and nice, and kind, and… oh, who was she kidding? Kitty was right about him. “How long have you known Kitty?”

He gave her a sidelong glance. “Seems like forever. She’s quite the woman.”

“But… you’re not compatible?”

“No, not in the way that counts.” He winked at her.

Pari frowned. “What way is that?”

He stopped and looked at the number over the door of her therapist’s building. “This is it.” He opened the door for her.

“Melvale,” she said, not budging. “What way?”

He sighed then gave her a gentle smile. “The boyfriend/girlfriend maybe it could become something more way.”

“More?”

His eyes lit up with a combination of affection and admiration. “More.”

Her heart stopped. Oh goodness! Did he have feelings for her? Real honest to goodnessfeelings? Pari gave a nod as her eyes drifted to the sidewalk. Why else would Kitty be worried she might hurt him?

Pari stepped into the building, her heart in her throat. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Melvale. But could she trust him enough not to hurt her?

They took the elevator up to the fifth floor. “I’ll be right here, Kitten,” Melvale said after they entered the doctor’s office. He sat in a chair in the waiting room and picked up a magazine.

She stared at him, as if seeing him for the first time. Pari had no idea what drew him to her, she only knew that Kitty had opened her eyes, and she was beginning to see Melvale as something more than a heartbreak waiting to happen.

“Miss Lindir?” the receptionist called. “You can go in.”

Pari nodded, her eyes still on Melvale, as a smile began to form on her face.

Melvale smiled back with a warmth in his eyes that threatened to melt her into a puddle.

“Miss Lindir?” the receptionist repeated.

Pari faced Dr. Merrill’s office door. For all she knew, this could be the last time she ever saw her therapist. She stepped into the office, took a seat in her usual chair, and her smile broadened.

Dr. Merrill finished writing something in what looked like a day planner. “Well, Pari, how did the last two weeks go? Anything exciting happen?”

She swallowed hard and glanced at the door. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Dr. Merrill’s bushy eyebrows shot up as he looked at her. “You’re smiling.”

Pari’s heart picked up again, but not because she was nervous or afraid of what painful reality the good doctor might uncover in their session. But because there was a man in the waiting room, who’d been waiting for her in more ways than one. He wanted to get to know her. It was the reason he wanted to date. Melvale had been trying to get close to her on her terms. Doing things a human would do. But he wasn’t…

“Pari?”

She gave Dr. Merrill a silly look. “Sorry. I… don’t know where to begin.”

He smiled. “I take it something good happened this week?”

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