Page 21 of My Grumpy Alpha

“Stellar.” I finally announce in a voice that sounds angrier than it should, causing her to jump next to me and scoot a few inches away. Great, now I’m scaring her on top of treating her like shit.

But damn that outfit, what the hell was I thinking?

Clearly, I wasn’t.

I clear my throat and stare straight ahead while I sit in actual torture. She drums her fingertips against her thigh.

“Oh.” She jerks toward me, it’s my turn to jump a foot.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Her smile’s small, tentative, like I’m about to yell at her any minute. She bites down on her lower lip.

“I was just going to ask if there were any important people that I need to know before we’re there, I mean, I’m sure I’ll recognize some people, but important ones to you or any charities you run? The company?

She knows I run charities.

She knows what to ask.

Magnificently off-limits woman.

I reach for my tie to adjust it and realize that nothing’s there, that I’m wearing nothing but a black suit with a black shirt that’s open down the collar.

I said no to the sunglasses. It’s already dark and it just feels stupid.

“No.” I take a deep breath.

“But I appreciate your dedication.”

Her pretty eyes lock on mine, the car jolts to a stop, nearly sending her into my lap, as it is her hands move to my chest, I allow myself one more inhale and pray that she can’t see my fangs.

I start to pant while she stares at my mouth like she’s never seen lips before. I do it out of pure reaction and instinct, I lick my lips and taste the air between us.

I should have never.

I grip her by the shoulders, mouth aching. My reaction is probably lack of sleep, right? And all I had was my coffee today.

Yes, it’s a nutritional imbalance with exhaustion tapped in.

She snakes a hand up my neck.

“You smell good.”

I’m ready to respond when Marvin clears his throat.

“We’ve arrived sir, they’re waiting.”

Forget firing him. I’m going to kill him and feed him to a hairless cat when I get home.

“Right.” I pull away from her.

“Thank you for your impeccable timing, as always, Marvin.”

He knows I want to strangle him as he smiles through the rearview mirror and gives me a little salute.

Mine wouldn’t have been as kind as a few fingers.

Just one.

I nod and hold out my hand to Ava.