Page 101 of Unbalanced

“It’s the flowers. They always make me smile,” I lie, and she snorts.

“That’s not a flower smile, that’s an ‘I got laid’ smile.”

Picking up the arrangement, I head to the walk-in cooler.

“I haven’t seen anyone in days. Can’t I just be happy?”

“Mmmhmm…fine. I won’t pester you. Kai and I are going to the bar for a drink. Do you want to come?”

I shake my head as I step out of the cooler and close the door.

“Alden is taking me to dinner tonight, but thanks for the offer.”

“Ah…now the truth comes out. I knew it had to do with him,” she says, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

“Get out of here,” I order, making her laugh, and then point to Kai cleaning up her workstation. “You too, go on, I’ll finish up.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

The two girls look at one another, shrug, then grab their stuff. Once I’m alone, I take a deep breath. They’re not gone two minutes when the front door jingles.

“I’m sorry we’re closing,” I call out as I wipe off my worktable.

No one answers, and the hair stands on the back of my neck until I step into the doorway to see Alden.

“Oh, Alden, it’s you.” I glance at the large clock on the wall. “You’re early. I’m not ready to go yet.”

His face is unreadable, eyes dark as he locks the door and turns off my open sign. His strides eat up the ground between us. My pulse goes out of control with every step he takes. This is the primal version of Alden. The terrifying man, just as intoxicating as the lawyer. The side that he normally keeps well hidden, and for just a second, I think he knows.

Alden grips my shoulders, forces me behind the beaded curtain, and then he presses my back against the wall. His hand wraps around my throat. Not tight enough to cut off my air, but definitely a warning. I don’t fight him.

“Alden…what’s wrong?”

He doesn’t move, just stands there staring at me.

“I had a very interesting dream last night.”

His tone is deep and thick with lust, but also a barely contained anger that vibrates off him.

“Okay,” I say, knowing he is on the edge of either fucking me or killing me.

It’s exhilarating.

He leans in so close that his lips hover over mine. Every part of my body comes alive. I’m so turned on right now that if he decides to fuck me and kill me at the same time, I’ll die the happiest woman in the world.

“Do you know anything about it?”

His fingers twitch ever so slightly, pressing into the racing pulse in my neck.

“How would I?”

I make myself look as innocent as possible. My eyes widen in shock that he can even suggest such a thing.

“You’re kinda scaring me, Alden,” I whisper, and it’s as if I hit a switch.

His hand falls away, and his eyes soften, but instead of stepping back, he cups my face and kisses me hard. I soak it in for a few seconds, then break the kiss and turn my head away. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I want him. I want him right now, but he’s not ready to know everything.