Page 2 of Alpha Geek

Nick leaned forward on the desk, his look eternally amused.

“When was the last time you went climbing?”

She felt her nose quiver, the memory of the fragrant, chilled air and earthy rock beneath her fingers coming back to her like an avalanche. Her heart leapt inside her chest, that selective form of thrill-seeking coming to life in her body.

“Um,” she began, hesitant and instinctively fluttering her eyes to keep the tears at bay. “Not since I moved from Alaska, maybe in my teens.”

Nick grinned, then took a file out of the cabinet behind him. He slapped it on the desk, and Amelia already knew what was coming.

“We have a client seeking a very unique kind of aid. This one wants to climb Mt. Everest, but he’s got a few threats on his tail. I remembered your history in Alaska as a snow leopard, so this feels a little bit like kismet.”

Amelia saw a flash of something that transcended professional consideration pass through his eyes, and she began to wonder about those matchmaking rumors again.

She cocked an eyebrow and gave him her best scowl.

“As interesting as that sounds,” she said, the statement unveiled and honest, “I’m not a security agent. I’m your assistant. How will I know how to protect this guy if he’s as much of an adrenaline junkie as he sounds?”

Nick pushed the file closer to her, and she placed two fingers on it, swirling over the folder with consideration.

“You know that I only send my best agents out to an assignment,” Nick said, unwavering. “With your history as a climber and a shifter, I know you are best suited for this case. Should any threats arrive, your shifter nature will kick in. I know that you know more about that than I do.”

She blew at her bangs again, and Nick chuckled. It certainly sounded like something different she could partake in to change her day-to-day routine of coming into the office and helping things run like clockwork. Maybe she even needed it a little.

Under her skin, her leopard purred in agreement.

Nick stood as she flipped open the file, going for his coat.

“Where are you going?” Amelia asked.

“You don’t have much time to decide, unfortunately,” he said, pushing his arms through the dark jacket. “We are heading to the party for the client, Thermon Bryant Webster III, tonight, and he wants to meet the agent I’ve hired for our services. So what do you say?”

With that damn grin on his face, Nick stood in his coat and scarf. It was somewhat smug, but not in a way that made him irritating. Amelia agreed he was one of the good ones, a man who would always have her best interest at heart.

She rose, taking the folder under her arm, and scoffed.

“With a name like that, how can I say no?”

Nick clapped his hands together and then looked at the clock. It was half past five.

“Well, get your coat then. Let’s head over together, and you can meet your first client, Amelia Fields.”

Amelia glanced down at her outfit, which was general office wear. She could feel her chest blooming with insecurity, which served to annoy her more than make her feel unattractive.

“Will this outfit do?”

Nick looked at her, eyes remaining at her eye line.

“You always look great, Amelia. You don’t need to worry at all.”

She tried to hide a blush rising in her cheeks while hurrying to get her coat and gloves.

TWO

TRIPP

Tripp, as he’s known to his friends, decided to hold a sort of “going away” bash at his mansion as a send-off before the big climb. He had done enough research to know the climb was more about endurance due to the significant elements rather than difficulty, per se. Many people had climbed Everest, so it wasn’t seen as much of a big deal anymore, but Tripp didn’t care about that. It meant a lot to him, and that was all that mattered.

Taking on the mountain had been a dream of his since he was a child. He was a child of privilege but was taught to recognize the misfortune of others at an early age as well. He had grown an inclination toward wanderlust, naturally going against his father’s instincts to remain stable, have a family, and work hard at business. His father’s strong dedication had certainly afforded him more opportunities to explore than most, but there was a reason he’d had a fire placed under his ass more recently.

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