Page 11 of Hacker Auction

Wes huffed and leaned forward in his chair. He rested his elbows against the table. “Years of special ops trained me to read people. How do you think I knew you wanted something else? The only reason you ordered the salad was because you think you’re too heavy.”

“So special ops people can read minds?” I hadn’t even stopped to find information out about the man. When he walked out and sat with Alex and Brock, I really knew I didn’t have a chance. Those men were pure Alpha and wouldn’t take a second look at someone like me. They could all get anyone they wanted. All the Ross men settle down with a beautiful woman.

“Reading minds would have made my life as a SEAL a hell of a lot easier. No, I followed your eyes. They kept going to the meat section, and then you would let out a tiny sigh before looking back to the salad section.”

“Did you meet one of the Ross brothers in the military? I don’t remember you at the high school we went to.”

“I’m actually only here for a few weeks.” He paused. “Well, that is actually all up in the air. I choose not to reenlist in the Navy six years ago. About five years ago I moved to Shialia and worked for the now Prince Blackwell.”

Everyone knew the name. I’d seen him at functions over the years. After he and Patty Beckett got married, his name covered gossip magazines. His wife was the current queen of Shialia.

“Okay, so what are you doing here?”

“A case led me here, and I’m working at Blackwood Security until we solve it. While I wait for leads, I work on other cases. Hence the reason I had a meeting already scheduled with your dad.”

“Did the patient answer your questions? Can I ask you that?”

The waitress came back and dropped off our food. I cut into my steak while I waited for Wes to answer my question.

“At times, I can’t talk about my cases. The woman I went to speak to is in an induced coma. I’m not sure if she will be able to help when she wakes up. Mia, one of the other bodyguards for Blackwood Security is at the hospital to make sure everything is okay.”

I took another bite of the steak and enjoyed the mouth-watering food. Wes had become quiet. I glanced over and caught him staring at me. “Is there something on my face?”

“No. I like how you close your eyes and enjoy each bite.”

“This place has the best steaks.”

Wes popped another piece of steak from his plate in his mouth and nodded. “I would have to agree, but a steak I had in a village outside of Tokyo is still one of my top favorites.”

“I’ve always wanted to travel to Japan.” Growing up, my parents didn’t pull me from my studies. During the summer, they would pick a new exotic place to go. Raphael would go with them, but I would ask them to stay back and study. My dad knew the hours it took to become a doctor so he agreed. “I’d also like to visit London.”

“You’ve never gone to London? Your mother’s family is from the United Kingdom.”

I waited for him to make a smart remark about having money to do what I wanted, but he didn’t say anything. “When I was younger, yes, but I was so little I don’t remember. When I got older, I wanted to study instead of travel. Then college took up so much of my time. I’d planned to take a trip around the world when I finished my residency, but I got pregnant.”

Mom had told me to strap Sage to my chest and go travel. She said I could meet a cute foreign guy on the streets of Paris. Mom was a hopeless romantic and never understood why I never dated. She pointed out my father made time for her during his years in medical school.

“I love the United Kingdom, but Shialia is a special place. Sam and Patty are doing so much good for the country.”

“I didn’t think anyone could go visit Shialia.”

“A few years back, they opened the island.” Wes’s eyes turned a dark gray before he blinked. “So, what are we going to do for our date?”

“Technically, this is a date.”

Wes leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “No, this is lunch. A date I would pick you up. Bring you a box of chocolates or your favorite flowers. Then we would eat afterward. I would take you home and have a goodnight kiss.”

How could this man’s words turn me on so much? “I’m going to be busy this week with work. How about next Friday? I can meet you somewhere.”

“Nope, I plan to pick you up. Promise I won’t kidnap you.”

“Isn’t that exactly what a kidnapper would say.”

“Yes, but I promise to feed you if that makes up for the kidnapping.”

“I knew there had to be something wrong with you. Nobody is as perfect as you and looks that hot. Now I know it, you’re a serial killer.”

Laughter bubbled from his chest, “Well, that escalated quickly. I promise not to kill you on the first date.”

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