The sight that greeted her as she opened the door to his office was not a welcomed one. A gorgeous woman sat provocatively on his desk, running her fingers along the collar of a deep V-cut neckline. She looked as though she had ten years or more on Alyssa and was likely closer to Drew in age than she was. She looked sure of herself and confident of her place in the world—exactly the opposite of Alyssa.
It didn’t escape her notice that Drew stood several feet away. His body language closed off to the woman’s advance as he leaned against a broad window. His arms crossed firmly over his torso, and a frown tortured his beautiful features. He was shaking his head at whatever the woman, Lydia, had been saying.
When the door opened, both glanced toward her. Lydia’s gaze was filled with venom while Drew graced her with a smile.
“Can we help you?” Lydia asked as though it was her office and she had every right to be offended at the interruption.
All the gusto left her. This woman was the niece of an alpha. She knew her place in the world. She’d be a benefit to Drew, not a liability. What did Alyssa have? Limited knowledge of her own species and a stalker who could put Drew’s pack at risk. Why would he want her?
Yet, when he spotted her, his arms dropped, and immediately he started toward her. “Alyssa.” His voice was like a balm to her internal wounds. He lifted her chin and smiled down at her before wrapping a hand around her hips and pulling her to his side. “Lydia, I’d like you to meet my mate, Alyssa.”
Lydia’s eyes dropped momentarily to Alyssa. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly.” His tone left no space for argument, yet Lydia didn’t seem to pick up on it or didn’t care.
“We’re supposed to mate. You agreed.”
“I never agreed. I made no promises. It was a discussion, one without a conclusion. Now, things have changed.”
“My uncle is going to be pissed.”
Alyssa felt Drew’s body shake as he chuckled. “I was pretty pissed that you thought I’d mate a woman who hit on my beta only moments after discussing an agreement with me.”
Surprised, Alyssa glanced at the woman still sitting on the desk. She’d shifted so her legs hung over the edge rather than splayed like an animal in heat. Callum was an attractive man, but as far as Alyssa was concerned, Drew was the most stunning man she’d ever met.
“Is that what this is?” The blonde on the desk demanded. “You bring in some hot little thing to teach me a lesson? Isn’t she a little young for you, Drew? How much did you pay her to put on this little show?”
Drew’s hand tightened on her hip. “Alyssa and I met, what—” He glanced down at her. “Four days ago?” He looked back at Lydia. “She’s my fated mate, and you have officially overstayed your welcome.”
Alyssa thought the woman might throw a fit for a moment, but she scoffed, hopped from the desk, and, with a shake of her head, said, “Whatever, Drew. Your loss.”
He didn’t respond as the woman grabbed a heavy-looking purse and strutted out of the office on heels, definitely not suited to the weather. When the door closed behind her, Alyssa pushed out of Drew’s hold.
“You asked me if I still had questions.”
She expected his gaze to be guarded, but his stare was direct. She’d caught him with another woman whom he had been practically engaged to for all intents and purposes, yet he didn’t look the least guilty. Drew was so different from any man she’d ever known. Most would grovel or come up with lame-ass excuses, but he didn’t.
“And I’ll answer every single one of them honestly.”
After taking a deep breath, she let her questions fly. “Who the hell was that woman, and why didn’t you tell me you had an arranged mate?”
“That’s Lydia Shaw. You likely met her uncle before you barged in here.”
“Maybe.”
“I never agreed to a mating with her, but yes, it was being discussed.” He approached his desk, leaning his hips on it as he educated her on those topics she should have known about years ago. “Typically, a male shifter will decide to search out his female. He’s driven by instinct and heads in a general direction toward her. That’s why Maddox landed here. He was driven by a need to find Fredrica and made his way here. He’s originally from L.A.”
Considering the man’s sun-bronzed skin, Alyssa wasn’t surprised.
“But an alpha is sometimes not so lucky.” Drew’s statement snagged her attention. “Because I need to be here to lead my pack, to search out my fated mate, I’d have to sacrifice them unless my mate found me.” His stare was intense, as she explained. “Often alphas agree to arranged matings to strengthen their pack and form bonds or settle disputes with neighboring packs.
“So my presence interrupted your power move?”
“No. You saved me from a terrible mistake.” He straightened, his fingers curling around the edge of the desk. “I would not mate with Lydia. No way. She did nothing for me. I’m not attracted to her. She’s pushy in a way I don’t like. I bet she makes a bomb ass lawyer, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she tried to muscle her way into Master’s Grilling.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What you’re saying is that I should be sure to keep my nose out of your business?”
“No.” Drew’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile.
“I come in here, and you’ve got some woman laid out on your desk looking at you like she wants you to devour her while her uncle stood right outside! And this is funny to you?”
“Of course not. I’m just not used to having to explain myself to people.”
“But you will for me?”
“Yes. Always.” He sighed. “I told you I want a partnership, and I mean that. If you have suggestions and ideas about Master’s Grilling, I want you to bring them to me. But I believe you’re a smart woman and will come to me with valid suggestions. I think Lydia would have tried to take over and likely would have gone about things behind my back. I can’t have that. She’s not for me.” His piercing gaze was direct. “You are.”
“I really didn’t screw up your plans?”
“Whether you showed up or not, I wouldn’t have mated with her. But I’m so glad you’re here. You enhance my life.”
“It’s only been four days.” She scoffed. “And I’ve caused trouble for most of them.”
“You’ve kept me on my toes for sure.” He grinned.
“That’s a good thing?” she asked with a laugh.
“Oh, yeah.”
Biting her lip, Alyssa looked down at the carpet. It was all so intense. So much was changing so quickly. She could barely keep up. She didn’t understand how he’d remained so cool through it all. “She really wanted Callum? Over you?”
He shrugged as though it was no big deal. “I don’t know that she wanted one of us over the other. I think she was hoping to bag us both and brag about it—bad idea. Callum and I have been friends for a long time. Best not to come between us.”
Aiming for coy, Alyssa slowly crossed the room. “I don’t like how she sat on your desk.”
“Oh, yeah?” His grin grew. “Me neither. I can think of another woman I’d rather see up there.” Before she had fully reached him, he grasped her hips and hoisted her onto the wooden surface. Pushing between her thighs, he cupped her face. “Much better.”
“Shouldn’t we be getting ready to meet the pack?” She breathed, her lips inches from his.
“I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had to wait on mated pack members. It’s their turn to wait for me. I have something to prove to my mate.”
“And what’s that?”
His thumb brushed over her lower lip. “That I want her, and only her.” He whispered the words before his lips crashed to hers.
Her body, soul, and heart wanted the proof he was offering. He was right. Meeting the pack would have to wait.
He was fast to strip off her pants and underwear. While still on his knees, he pushed open her thighs and kissed her mound, his tongue slipping between her folds, nudging her clit, circling her entrance until she wrapped a hand around the back of his head. Wantonly, she rode his face right there in his unlocked office. It was scandalous and shameful, but she couldn’t help it. Her desire for this man only seemed to grow the longer she was in his company. She wondered if imprinting would help or increase the situation and realized she wasn’t sure which outcome she’d prefer. He made her lusty and needy like never before.
Drew placed a kiss on her inner thigh before standing. He unbuckled his jeans, pulled out his cock, and stroked.
Alyssa pushed his hands aside and wrapped her fingers around his girth. She watched as his eyelids half-closed. He gave her a dark smile before cupping her cheek and taking her lips. Tasting herself on his tongue only heightened her desire. Her hand worked faster, and his cock grew harder. She felt his pre-cum on her palm.
“Enough.” Drew removed her hand and grasped the base of his dick. Lining himself up at her entrance, he thrust deep, her wetness slicking his way. They both groaned in appreciation when he was situated. Then he moved. Each plunge was fast and rough. Pencils and papers jumped on the desk’s surface as it shook with their movements. A few items clattered to the floor, but neither one stopped.
“I only want you,” he ground out between panted breaths. “Only you. Mine.”
She kissed his shoulder. “Mine.” Her teeth sunk into his flesh, biting hard, claiming him as his thrusts grew rougher. Moments later, they climaxed together, their grunts and groans filling the room.
Exhausted, she fell back against the desk, knocking a few more things on the ground but careful not to touch his computer screen. Drew’s laugh was shaky as he looked down at her. “That’s the sight I want spread out on my desk. And it definitely won’t be the only time we’re doing this here. But next time, fully naked.”
“Agreed.” She stretched.
“Or in a dress.” Those words drew a frown from her until he followed up with, “With no panties, so I can fuck you from behind while you grip the far side of the desk for each thrust.”
Her body clenched at the visual, causing Drew to grunt. Slowly, he pulled free from her body and found them both some tissue. “I’m never going to be able to work in this office again without thinking about fucking you.”
Their intimacy over, she blushed. “Every time with you just seems to get better and better.”
He glanced over as he did up his pants. “And it’s only going to keep getting better. You’ll see.” He took her hand. “Ready to meet the pack?”
Life had never been this good to her before. She’d been taught not to trust it, but with other shifters in her life, maybe things were changing.