Alpha's Moon: A special forces shifter romance by Renee Rose (top novels .txt) 📗

low cut black top. Why didn’t I wear an outfit like that? She looks more like a biker babe than I ever will.

“Yes, it’s taken,” I tell her, jealousy making my voice sharp. She rolls her eyes, shaking her head as she struts away. I can almost hear her thoughts about me, but I don’t care. It’s nice to not be nice all the time.

“He’ll show up,” I whisper to myself. I’m sitting with my legs crossed primly at the ankle, my hands folded in my lap like a good little kindergarten teacher. My hair is tied back with a bow, for frick’s sake.

I rise and tug off the bow, shaking out my hair. That’s when I sense him. The hairs rise on the back of my neck, and the scent of motor oil and leather hits me.

I turn and scan the crowd but don’t see Deke at first. But I know he’s here.

And then he appears, stepping out of the shadows and striding towards me. There’s a group of sexy snow bunny types standing in his path. They poke each other and stare at Deke, wide-eyed. But he doesn’t even glance at them as he heads straight toward me. He’s got that intense look again, the one that makes me shiver. I feel a little like I’m being hunted.

“Babe.” He uses the word to convey whole sentences. I just have to decipher what they mean. He strolls right up to me. For a big guy, he moves with grace, prowling like a panther. He’s wearing the same sort of outfit he wore before, dark jeans and a soft white t-shirt that clings to his abs. Big motorcycle boots.

My mouth waters.

He’s so gosh darn hot. And I baked him cookies. What was I thinking?

“Deke. You came.” I step in front of the table, hoping he won’t see the cookie tray.

Of course, he spots it immediately. “What are these?” He reaches around me and touches the plastic.

“Um, just a little thank you. You know, for yesterday.”

“You baked me cookies?”

“Yes.”

“Babe,” he says again and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you.” He doesn’t smile, but his dark gaze smolders. Up close, he’s overwhelmingly sexy. My thighs clench, and I stifle a whimper.

“It’s nothing.” I turn away and fiddle with the plastic wrap around the cookie tray. “I owed you.”

“Yeah?” He cocks his head to the side, still totally focused on me. The young women still gawk at Deke, and he hasn’t even noticed.

I swallow and step closer, so I don’t have to shout over the music. “For last night. You’re my hero.”

His forehead creases. “I am not a hero.”

I want to argue, but I realize I would sound foolish. I obviously made last night into a bigger deal than it is to him.

“Well, I still owe you.” I summon my bravery and put my hand on his chest.

He raises a dark brow. “Oh yeah? You owe me?” There’s a suggestive purr to his voice.

Heat shoots between my legs. “If you ever need me to be your fake girlfriend, let me know,” I say, half joking. As if he couldn’t snap his fingers and get any sort of woman to do anything he wanted.

“Babe.” He hits me with that intense stare of his—so hot it could burn off all my clothes. His lips twitch like he thinks I’m cute. Then he leans close and whispers, “With me, you wouldn’t be faking anything.” His voice is deep and rich with the pure promise of sex.

I flush. Goosebumps break out all over my body.

The song the band is playing abruptly ends. The crowd sends up a half-hearted cheer. Deke straightens, and I take in his expression. He looks dead serious now.

I turn and clap for the band, but I can feel Deke still focused on me.

“Thank you,” the lead guitarist shouts into the microphone. “We’re the Flying Oysters. This is for all the lovebirds out there.”

And they start playing “Undisclosed Desires” by Muse. One of my favorite songs. Not a typical love song although I think it’s sexy.

I lick my lips, and Deke’s gaze drops to my mouth. “I love this song,” I tell him. He nods slowly. His eyes glitter green in the low light, flashing like a cat’s. I lean forward to ask him about it when he takes my hand and abruptly leads me away from the table.

I follow without question, every nerve on fire. He pulls me along behind him, away from the crowd, out of the plaza, into an alleyway full of shadows. It’s dark and private, and I have no idea what’s going on, but just like last night, none of my stranger danger alarms go off. I’m relaxed, content to be with him.

“What are we doing here?”

He turns, his big body herding me backwards until I’m caged between him and the wall.

“Deke?” I ask, suddenly breathless.

“I’m collecting that favor.” His nose is close enough to touch mine.

A thrum begins between my legs.

With a growl, he pins my hips with his. He leans his forearm on the wall above my head, his huge biceps blocking out all light. His right hand cups my cheek. I open my mouth, and his face descends.

He kisses me right there in the alley. My toes curl in my boots. The wall at my back is cold, but the heat from Deke’s body warms me through and through.

He groans and pulls his head back but keeps me pinned, his eyes flashing weirdly in the dark. “This is what I want—your kiss. This is all I want.” He kisses me again.

I surge up against him, grabbing handfuls of his soft t-shirt as if I could pull him into my body. He angles his head, and his tongue slips into my mouth. I moan.

He tears his mouth from mine and backs away, his chest heaving. The place between my legs is liquid, aching. I lean against the adobe brick wall, gasping. I was seconds away from coming from his tongue fucking my mouth.

“Deke,”