Page 12 of The Enemy's Daughter

“I think you’re cute,” he said. Reaching across the table, he took her hand. “Look, I’ve lived all my life going after what I want, and the moment you were sweet and nice to me, I knew what I wanted.”

“And what was that?”

“I wanted the chance to take you on a date, to show you that I appreciated that kindness.”

“Thank you.”

“How about it?”

“What?”

This was a complete step out of his comfort zone. “Would you go to dinner with me?”

“You’re not going to give up on this, are you?”

“Hey, you bumped into me. The way I see it, right now this is like divine intervention. Clearly, someone is looking down on me.”

She chuckled. “Fine. I’ll go on a date with you. Do you promise you’re not some kind of crazy guy?”

He held his hands up. “I’m completely innocent, baby. Haven’t you ever heard that older guys know how to do everything better.”

“Yeah, that’s not creepy.” She winked at him. “What I find interesting is you’re not worried about me being some kind of super freaky girlfriend.” She leaned forward. Her gaze focused on him, and he couldn’t look away. “You’re not worried?”

Alaric couldn’t look away. There was something completely captivating about her gaze. He liked this. His heart raced as he stared at her, waiting for what she was going to say or do next. This was entirely different from what he was used to. The coffee shop was new. If he wanted to woo women, he took them to the best kind of restaurant in the business.

Bella wasn’t the kind to be wooed in that way. He was going to need to scrub up on his charm.

“I don’t get worried, baby. I get what I want.”

She smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

He watched as she took another bite of her cinnamon roll, and her eyes rolled back in her head as she moaned.

“Just so you know, I won’t fall in love with you,” she said.

“A challenge?” he asked.

“Nah, I think my dad would have a fit if I brought a guy like you around.”

“A guy like me?”

She nodded. “Older. He’ll be worried that you’re a little wiser than him.”

Alaric didn’t say anything. What was the point? He knew her father was going to be pissed. They had never met each other in public, but he didn’t see Mr. Reed being happy about it.

“Have you always done what Daddy wanted?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I drive him crazy on a daily basis. I do what I want, and he likes to try to protect me.”

He could see that.

“Anyway, I don’t talk about my father usually. I don’t know what’s coming over me today. I’m probably freaking you out with absolutely no filter.” She pressed her hand to her mouth. “I’m going to shut up. Am I sounding like a child? Please don’t answer that.”

Why wasn’t she irritating him?

“You’ll be surprised by me I think. Trust me, Bella, I’m going to give you the time of your life.”

They finished their coffee, and he arranged to pick her up from her apartment. He was surprised that she wasn’t living with her father. She lived on her own.

---