Page 40 of Fourth Base with the Alpha
* * *
AvoidingFrankie means I’m left eating my lunch on my own at my desk. I’ve just unwrapped my sandwich when the elevator doors swing open and who should come strolling into the office? Hunter.
I stare at him in shock.
Hunter never rocks up at the office unannounced. He only ever comes if summoned and that has happened precisely once in the time I’ve worked for Kim.
“Hey,” I say, lowering my sandwich. “Kim’s out for lunch. I don’t think she’s due back until mid-afternoon.”
“Right.” He stands on the other side of my desk, one hand in his pockets, the other holding my bouquet of flowers. “I think these got delivered downstairs instead of the office. The receptionist seemed confused.”
“He’s permanently confused.” I take the flowers from his hands, trying not to notice how good he looks holding flowers. Like something straight out of a lot of women’s fantasies. “They’re gorgeous. Thank you.”
“Do you demand all the men you date buy you flowers?”
“Only the lucky ones.”
I arrange the display on my desk, trying my best not to sniff in a thoroughly unsexy manner.
“Do you want to leave a message for Kim or …”
“I was going to see if you wanted to grab some lunch. I figured I owed you a replacement date after last night.”
“Oh no, you don't. That date screw up was entirely my doing.”
“Anyway, it seems like you’re sorted for lunch. I wouldn’t want to separate you from your sandwich.” He smiles at me and my stomach flips right over.
I am in trouble.
I try not to glare down at my middle. Traitorous body. Doesn’t it know the score?
I should agree with Hunter and decline this invitation. I should sit at my desk like a sensible omega and eat my sandwich. I should put the very handsome man standing before me out of my mind.
But he is very handsome. And smiling right at me. And I am weak.
Besides, I’ve never been any good at crushing people’s feelings. It’s why I ended up agreeing to go to a school dance with Jimmy Livebait even though he smelled like sour milk.
I fold the paper back over the bread. “Lunch would be lovely.”
“But your sandwich.” His eyes twinkle. He’s flirting with me.
“I’ll save it for dinner.”
I sling my purse over my shoulder and come to join him on the other side of my desk. He reaches out and takes my hand and I have to smother a pathetic gasp.
There’s no one here. No one to see us holding hands. There’s no reason to take my hand.
I am in trouble big time.
Frankie stares at us unabashed as we walk out of the elevator hand in hand and stroll to the exit.
“That guy seems a little simple,” Hunter mumbles.
I peer over my shoulder and Frankie mouths “Get it, Girl” at me. I roll my eyes.
“He’s just star-struck,” I tell Hunter. “Where are we going for lunch?”
“I thought of somewhere you might actually like. It’s not far from here. Two blocks. How are your feet? Can you make it that far?”
