Read Online Dark Alpha (ALPHA 2) by Carole Mortimer - Free Book Online Page B

hasn’t affected my desire for you in the slightest—we’re going to discuss the details of our arrangement.”
    Nicky had been on the point of sitting—she really was too weary, and hungry, to keep fighting Lucien all the time—but she straightened up once again at his last comment. “I didn’t come here for that.” She frowned.
    “Oh I think you did, Nicky,” he assured softly as he put down the bowl and stalked purposefully towards her. “I believe that’s exactly what you came here for.”
    Had she?
    Were her defenses really so low that she just wanted to let Lucien take over, if only for a short time?
    She knew they were.
    But having seen Lucien again, spent time with him, she had also realized she wasn’t yet ready to concede that fact.
    She took a step back. “I’m only here because I saw the newspaper yesterday. The announcement of Lionel Jenkins’ retirement, and your company’s takeover of Jenkins, Simmons and Simmons, and I—I wanted to thank you.”
    “Liar.” Lucien’s hands moved up to cup either side of her face.
    Deep inside her, wasn’t this what she had longed to have happen? Because she was tired of running, of hiding, of always having to look over her shoulder, as she had been doing again constantly as of late?
    On some levels Lucien frightened her—his need to possess, to own her. But that other part of her, the part that was tired of running and hiding, wanted him to possess and own her. To be able, if only for the little while she held his interest, to feel safe.
    She looked up at Lucien. “Have you been having me followed since I came to your office five days ago?”
    His expression darkened, his eyes becoming stormy. “What?”
    Nicky shrugged; she didn’t have to tell him about that feeling she’d had that someone had been in her apartment, but... “I’ve had this—it’s felt as if someone was watching me when I go out these past few days. I wondered if it was you. Or, at least,” she smiled self-derisively, “someone you had instructed to watch me? Maybe the man with the scar?”
    His brows rose. “My cousin, Dair Grayson?”
    Her eyes widened as she realized this was the first piece of personal information Lucien had given her about himself. Although it made a sort of sense that the man with the scar was Lucien’s cousin; Dair Grayson was just as scary, if not more, as Lucien.
    Lucien looked down at Nicky, frowning, knowing by the darkness of her eyes, and that pallor to her cheeks, that she was completely in earnest.
    And he couldn’t deny it had occurred to him to have Nicky watched, but for her own protection rather than anything else; Lionel Jenkins may have been thoroughly routed, but the other man hadn’t gone as quietly as yesterday’s newspaper reports had implied he had.
    Damn it, Lucien should have thought less about fucking Nicky and more about ensuring her safety. Something he definitely intended on doing after she left here today.
    If she left here today...

Chapter 5

    “Have you actually seen anyone watching or following you, or just felt as if they were?”
    Nicky blinked, having been held totally mesmerized by Lucien’s piercing eyes looking down so intently into her own. “Maybe I was just imagining it,” she dismissed, feeling a little foolish now for having mentioned it at all.
    Of course Lucien wouldn’t have had her followed; he wanted to go to bed with her, he wasn’t in the least interested in what went on in the rest of her life. Although she had a feeling exclusivity would definitely be part of any ‘arrangement’ he wanted to discuss with her.
    She swallowed, her voice husky. “I’m obviously just being silly,” she dismissed ruefully. “Lack of food probably. Which reminds me, I thought you were going to feed me?” she added lightly to change the subject from one that had made him look so grim.
    “I am.” Lucien nodded. “But first I need to do this...” His breath was warm against her skin as he lowered his head,