Alpha by Charlene Hartnady Page A

though
Jack didn’t mean anything by it. “Jack damn it.”
    “Put
her the fuck down.”
    She’d
recognize that deep growl anywhere. Jack stiffened, dropping her immediately. Brownie
points to the Demon Chaser for stepping towards Gray in a protective stance. What
was it with men trying to protect her lately?
    “It’s
okay Jack. I know him.”
    Gray
was holding a rose bush, roots and all.
    “Are
those for me?” she asked.
    “Yeah,”
he had yet to look at her, his glowing eyes were still fixed on Jack.
    “Um,
Gray, this is one of my work colleagues Jack, Jack this is my…friend Gray.”
     Jack
took a step forward extending his hand.
    “Friend?”
Gray’s eyebrows shot up and he looked at her for the first time. His eyes had darkened… thank
God . Glowing eyes had meant trouble. Ash quickly introduced him to the rest
of the group. Even Tamara, fondly known as Amazon because she was so muscular
and tall, looked at Gray like he was an ice cream sundae. Up until now, Ash
hadn’t been sure if the newly appointed Chaser was into men, she seemed shy and
ignored all of the many advances from guys on the team. Right now, Tamara
devoured Gray with her eyes and even licked her lips.
    Gray’s
eyes locked with Ash’s as he said, “Come with me.”
    Ash
was very pleased to see Gray, but it looked as if her doggie boy hadn’t learned
a single thing from their earlier confrontation. “I was just in the middle of a
game…” She turned to her friends, most of which had gaping jaws. “Red ball
middle pocket.” Ash bent down low, her ass would be nicely positioned in front
of Gray. She was rewarded with a low, rumbling growl. There was something about
those sexy noises he made that turned her inside out. It was unlike her, but
she missed the shot by a mile.
    “May
as well make yourself comfortable, we could be here a while,” she said as she
turned back to Gray.
    “Can
I get you anything from the bar?” His voice deep and rich, it had her vibrating
all over. His eyes danced their way down her body until he reached the juncture
at her thighs. He sniffed softly.
    Damn,
he could probably smell the damp spot in her panties. As much as she tried to
play it cool, her body was giving her away. Ash wanted him, but what her body
wanted and what her body would get were two different things. If Gray thought
she was going to take orders from him and allow him to mate with her just so
that he could complete the transformation, he had another thing coming.
    “I
bought my own drink,” she waved a bottle of beer.
    Amazon
took a shot and missed. Gray returned with a beer of his own just as Jack sunk
the same shot she had missed. They high fived this time instead of hugging
although she was sorely tempted just to see Gray’s reaction. Gray’s shoulder
brushed with hers as he stepped in next to her. God he smelled good. A scent
that companies tried to emulate all the time but failed. Ash had to stop
herself from closing her eyes as she breathed him in.
    It
was Gray that leaned into her, his hot breathe on her ear. “We need to talk.”
Then his hand was on the small of her back sliding its way up her spine as he continued,
“I was a jerk. I’m sorry…”
    “Your
turn,” Jack held out the cue to her.
    “I’ll
be there in a minute,” she turned to face Gray.
    “I
realize it’s obvious, but I’m a wolf which means I…look Ash I’ve had sex with a
few human women before but…”
    Ashlyn
laughed, “You’re not helping things by telling me about past conquests.”
    His
jaw tensed, “I didn’t mean it like that.”
    “I
know. I’m sorry. What did you want to say?”
    He
took another step towards her putting him just a few inches away. “I’ve never
spent any real time with human women, hell, never spent much time with female
demon wolves. I’ve never had much of a relationship before you.” He cupped her
jaw with one of his big hands and a collective sigh rose from the women in the
group behind them.
    “Hold
that