Page 4 of The Lion's Reluctant Mate

“My name is Alice.”

Chapter Four

The animal within himjumped for joy.Alice.He had gotten a name.It had almost cost her a panic attack but there had been progress.When he approached the girl,Alice,he thought it would be a piece of cake.He hadn’t considered this vulnerability, this total fear.His protective instincts had flared even as his libido had awoken.

If there had been any doubt she was his mate, it had

dissipated as soon as he approached her.His whole being sang like a violin string at the proximity of her, and he could sense it was mutual.Perhaps that was what had triggered her reaction.He took a quick glance at her notebook.No.By the words scribbled, there was more.It wouldn’t be difficult to seduce her, the difficulty would lie in gaining her love and affection.It would be a slow process, one he hadn’t savored in a long time.One he hadn’t realized he yearned for until now.Until Alice.

“I’m Axel.”

She nodded.“Nice to meet you, I guess.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alice.”He sat down on the stool next to hers but didn’t remove his hand.He was dying to entwine their fingers together, but he had to act slowly, or he’d spook her again.

“What are you doing here by yourself?”

“Um, writing.Having a drink.What happened to your companions?”

Her cheeks flushed as she seemed to realize the inappropriateness of her question.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.It’s none of my business.”

“It’s a fair question.They are in the back entertaining themselves.They don’t need me.They just wanted to come into the bar.”

“Oh.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.”

He smiled.

“Baby Girl.”

“I’m not a baby,” she protested.

“You are to me.I’m forty.”

---