Page 10 of The Bookseller and the Alpha
“You can’t tell her,” I said, just as softly. “That’s my right.” And my privilege.
“Of course not, boss.” He bared his neck again, sensibly showing no challenge. He knew me and he knew I trusted him. Trusted him enough to guard my mate, but he also knew that the mating pull would affect me. And given that no-one outside my family knew what sort of Shifter I was, he didn’t want to provoke me in any way.
I stepped back, and raised my voice enough that Caly would hear. “You don’t fucking touch her and you will guard her with your life,” I said. I didn’t need to say it. Sam was loyal and Shifters took care of each other. Mates were to be protected and I’d given him the honour of protecting mine. He understood. I wasn’t demanding anything he didn’t already instinctively want to do. But I wanted Caly to hear it. To hear that I was taking her safety seriously. And for her to know that she was mine.
Chapter 11
Calypso
I fumed as I ate my lunch. Was this guy serious? First he’d growled at poor Sam, making the younger Shifter submit, then he’d told him that he had to protect me with his life? What a jerk. If this was an example of Alpha behaviour, I didn’t like it one bit.Not true, said my conscience. Okay, I liked it a bit. It was kinda hot that he had gone all grumpy and protective. Alright, yes, it was superhot. And if I was totally truthful with myself it was the sort of aggressive, protective, Alpha behaviour that I fantasised about when I was alone in my bed at night, with my silicone friend. It was a total turn-on.
But the rest of his behaviour was unacceptable. He was treating Sam like shit. He’d growled at him. Literally growled, and poor Sam had shown his neck. I knew what that meant. Sam had felt threatened enough by Luc’s Alpha that he had instinctively submitted. Then Luc had said something that had made Sam’s eyes flick from Luc to me and his face had tightened in shock. I didn’t know what Mr Tall, Dark and Growly had said but it was nothing good.
Then, to top it all off, he’d announced that Sam had to guard me with his life. Sam had reminded me of an eager puppy, all bouncy and playful and easy to please. And now he lookedlike he’d been kicked in the stomach. And no wonder. He’d just been told that his life was less important than the life of someone he’d just met. I wasn’t a celebrity or a politician. And Sam wasn’t a professional bodyguard like my sister whose job it was to put themselves in the line of fire for someone else. It was ridiculous. And unfair.
Chapter 12
Luc
I looked over Sam’s head to the front of the shop where Calypso now sat in one of the comfortable chairs that were spread through the front of the shop. Pompy sat at Caly’s feet, eyes hopefully tracking every move of the hand that held food. It looked like she’d chosen a salad. It wasn’t enough. She wasn’t eating properly.We will look after her,Beast muttered. She’d put her hair back into a bun. I wanted to undo the pins until it fell down her back so I could run my fingers through its silky length. Billy sat beside her, keeping an eye on the pedestrians in the mall as he ate.
“Let’s eat,” I told Sam, letting him know that the discussion was over.
Calypso eyed me warily when I pulled up a chair opposite her. Between the four of us our chairs formed a rough circle and I had taken the place opposite Calypso.All the better to see you with my dear, Beast purred.
Calypso’s green gaze captured mine. Emerald sparks danced in the depths. “Why did you yell at Sam?” she asked. Her voice was quiet but there was an undercurrent of anger.
“Sam’s your bodyguard if I can’t be with you. He has to guard you. Not carry lunch.”
Calypso’s eyes slid to Sam, then back to mine. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Your sister said you’re in danger and it’s my call. If I think you need a bodyguard, you get a bodyguard.”You get me.
Calypso blinked as she absorbed that information. “How long for?”
I shrugged. “Until I decide you’re out of danger.”Forever. You are mine.
Beside me, Sam said, “I won’t get in your way. You’ll hardly notice me. I’ll sleep on your couch until boss arrives.”
“On my couch?” Calypso’s voice shot higher.
“Yeah,” Sam grinned. “At least I’m short. Boss is going to find it hard when he takes over though. All six plus feet of him.”
Chapter 13
Calypso
I almost choked on my salad.Danger, danger. Luc was going to be in my apartment. Taking up all my space. All the air. Looking alarmed, Billy reached an arm behind to hit me on the back. I waved him away. “I’m okay,” I croaked, when I’d finished coughing.
“Surely you’ve got more important things to do.” I was grasping at straws. There was no way I’d be able to sleep with Luc in my apartment. And the idea that he would sleep on my couch was ludicrous. My couch barely deserved the name. It seated two people, just… if they were very good friends. Luc was so tall he would barely fit in my bed, let alone on my couch.Crap.No, I would not think about Luc in my bed. I would not think about that man in my bed.My brain paid no attention. I had a flash of how he might look, lounging against the pillows on my bed, shirt open to show his muscled torso and giving me a glimpse of the dark hairs below his navel. His eyes were hot and hungry.Oh my gods. Yes.
No! I snapped out of the trance, my cheeks burning.Had I zoned out? Drooled?I had to get over this infatuation and be professional. Luc was probably used to women throwing themselves at him.I remembered the mother in the arcade,who’d momentarily forgotten her child’s existence as he walked past. Luc hadn’t even noticed. This was just a normal day for him; another woman losing her shit at the gorgeous Alpha Shifter. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.
“Your safety is my priority. This is non-negotiable.” Luc’s voice was a deep rumble, an octave lower than before. The sound set off the butterflies in my stomach. Gah. Even when he was being an overbearing jerk my body responded to him. Some part of me loved the fact that he was taking charge. I was tired and letting Luc take control sounded like bliss. But it was dangerous. I had to be strong. It wasn’t real. This was a job. Just a job.
“I don’t have enough room,” I managed. “The couch is too short even for you, Sam.” I dropped my eyes to my boxed lunch and swirled the salad around with my fork, pretending that the food had my full concentration. It didn’t. I was just pushing the food around as an avoidance tactic. Luc’s presence in my store had left me feeling self-conscious so I’d opted for a healthy salad instead of the carb-filled options my tired brain had craved and it held zero appeal. But the last thing I wanted to do right now was look up and maybe meet his eyes. I had the absurd feeling that he would be able to read my mind, pluck the image straight out of my brain.
“Calypso. Stop arguing. This is for your safety. You don’t have to like it. I’d appreciate your co-operation, but it’s happening regardless.”
