“Hmm. Guess I'll just have to drink then.
Michel tried to look harmless, which wasn't easy for a strong pack alpha. What would you say to a woman who smelled so divine you wanted to attack her?
Gently, he guided his afternoon snack and soon-to-be companion to a table on a dais beyond the dance floor. Currently empty, the table was reserved for him and his packmates.
He pulled out a chair for Diana to sit in, before settling himself to Diana's left.
"Sweetheart, what does the tattoo mean?"
Caramel eyes blinked rapidly.
"My beloved Andrew died three years ago, I was with him for two…" was the smothered tearful reply.
Unable to help himself, Michel stroked a hand over the young woman's arm. She was so sweet that the alpha wanted to devour her as best he could. But the thought of scaring Diana off kept her wolf on the lookout. Claiming a mate was tricky business.
— Did you really come here to discover a new love? Michel's voice didn't hold an accusing question. He wanted Diana to trust him, but he didn't want to appear pushy.
"I…wanted a date of sorts." Diana blinked back tears, warming Michel's heart and twisting her eyes in the process. “I'm tired of being alone. And Phoebe thinks I should get out more.
“I'm sorry you lost your lover. He wasn't apologetic and he wasn't sorry, but the sweet girl was obviously upset. Michel made his grief shine in his eyes.
Normally it was important to appear strong and unflappable when the wolves attacked the weakest in the pack, but he wanted this young woman to know that he was sorry for her pain. Not likable enough to want your lover back, but just making a sympathetic picture.
Diana nodded as she swallowed back tears with obvious effort. “It's been three years. Phoebe is right. I need to move on.
“Phoebe sounds like a good friend.
Diana agreed.
“She saved me after Drew died. I really wanted to go with him.
Michel grabbed Diana's arms.
“I'm really glad you didn't.
The young woman gave a shaky smile.
- Me too. she says, and seems to give a half smile, but very quickly.
Michel wasted no time. In one smooth movement, he put his arm around Diana, pulling her closer to him.
Startled, Diana nearly fell out of her chair.
“Careful, baby. I just wanted to get a feel for you.
Diana looked down.
Yes, I can see that.
Michel chuckled in a loud booming sound that carried through the club and attracted the attention of one of his pack wolves.
Alex, a thin man with red hair and third in the pack after Erick, approached them. His eyes had a teasing light that fixed on the couple.
— Hi Michel, who's your friend?
“Alex, this is Diana, who is coming out of her shell after the loss of her lover. Diana, this is Alex, one of my best friends.
The light in Alex's eyes dimmed, he too had lost a dear relative last year. “I'm sorry to hear this, Diana. How long ago did he die?
- Three years.
Though he didn't fall, Michel could hear the tears in Diana's voice.
To the other wolf, Diana gave a sympathetic smile. But when Diana lifted her head, Alex gave his alpha a wicked smile.
“If you're looking for new love I'd be happy to let you test and prove me.
Alex reached forward and stroked Diana's hair in one smooth motion. A low growl vibrated in Michel's chest as someone touched what was his.
The other wolf paled before arching and tilting his head in a submissive position.
On the other hand, Michel can take care of you. He is very protective of his friends. ’ With a quick smile and a submissive nod, the man hurried out of there.
Intelligent man.
During the taunts, his throat was nearly ripped out by an angry alpha. Michel took extra effort to hide his wild smile as the sweet woman glanced his way.
“He was certainly in a hurry.
Michel shrugged.
"Maybe he remembered something he had to do."
Michel delved into the woman's mind with satisfaction when he discovered that despite Diana's bewilderment at Alex's behavior, she had no regrets about the man leaving.
Alphas could read minds and right now he liked the talent being accessible.
Caramel eyes blinked at him as if sensing the intrusion.
"Let me get you a drink, sweetie." Mostly I promise to behave.
Diana's mouth twitched with the beginnings of a smile.
Michel scored his goal of the night, seeing a smile in all its glory.
- Mainly?
Well, I can't promise the impossible. He let his eyes slide over all the exposed skin. “Because, for all that there is, it's too much temptation for a man to resist.
Wow, dimples.
Michel basked in the glory of her beautiful smile, his body going rigid at the sight. He closed his mouth quickly, before his fangs could fully emerge. Passion sometimes brought out their mating teeth. He didn't want to scare the sweet, sweet essw woman who would soon be his. Interestingly, the more time he spent with her the less ordinary, the younger the woman seemed.
— Good evening, sir, can I get you something?
A young man dressed in the club's red and black colors approached.
— Good night, Paul. Michel greeted his employee with a twinkle in his eye before focusing back on Diana. — I would like a shot of whiskey. What would you like, baby?
"Two shots of tequila with lime and salt, please." Diana told the waiter with another dimpled smile. Michel resisted the urge to growl. Dimpled smiles should be yours alone.
“Just a shot and a beer. “Michel revoked the order. “I don't want you drunk.
Diana glared at him.
“I believe you are not my master to tell me what to do.
Paul slipped quietly to the left while they argued.
Michel took Diana's chin in a gentle but firm grip.
“But I will be. It's important that we start the way we intend to continue.
Pulling her chin out of Michel's grip, Diana said in a deceptively calm voice. "Who says we're going to continue anything?"
“Call it a hunch. Michel slid his hands into her hair, pulling Diana close.
Without giving her a chance to object, he took Diana's mouth in a gentle invasion.
Despite the brutal crushing of the lips, Diana could have resisted, but she didn't. The feel of skin rubbing against skin, a pair of sweet lips and a firm tongue persuaded Diana. Feeling the heat swirling through her body, as if an inferno was burning for the beautiful man. As he pushed closer to Michel, he pressed his bare chest against the man's mesh shirt, and let a low moan rip from his mouth.
Need filled her. Even the gentle passion she had for Drew couldn't compare to the fulminating desire Michelte gripped her with sharp claws of hunger. As if, her body would die if she was deprived of this man's touch. When Michel lifted his lips, Diana followed, determined to get more of those heaven-flavored lips. But hard hands stopped him.
- Please. she whimpered in a broken tone she barely recognized as her own.
Michel's soft lips barely brushed hers. Evoking another groan from Diana.
“Take it easy, baby. You can have all the kisses you want. the dark, velvety voice promised. “Just say you'll be mine.
That brought Diana back to reality. What was she doing? Almost giving in to a complete stranger? It had been a long time since Drew had died, but he remembered the process, which was slower, more meaningful. A careful dance to see if two people fit in and out of bed. And Michel's strange eyes promised to imprison him.
“You want to belong to me. I know that. Michel said in a voice mesmerizing with conviction.
“Your drinks. The waiter's cheerful tone broke the trance she was in.
What the hell was that?
She gave the waiter a smile.
- Thanks. Diana licked the skin off her hand, salted it, downed her shot of tequila, licked off the salt and sucked on the lemon. The combination of flavors went to her head, a fine hum as she slowly sipped the fancy imported beer. "I'll take another shot." she told the waiter who was looking at her with a wide smile.
“No, she won't. Michel revoked the order once more. “Go serve someone.
The waiter left them without looking back.