Saving Grace

Part 3

Grace POV

This doesn't feel real, me walking into my very own place. A business and now an apartment above I can't believe I've got so lucky to get somewhere in this city. I've always dreamed of having my own salon since I was a little girl, this is was I'm meant to do, empowering women and making people feel better about themselves makes me feel all warm inside.

"Morning"

I hear Ron shout as he walks through the door with two cups of hot coffee.

"Morning Ron" I chime back smiling at him and taking the coffee from his hands. I've known Ron my whole life, he's a dear friend of my aunt and uncle who raised me since my parents passed away when I was young.

"Now, what help do you need today? I know you've got all your furniture coming in an hour so is there anything I can help with till then?"

"No no Ron I've got it all under control I moved most of my things in upstairs last night I'm just waiting for the salon things now then I'm good to go for opening hopefully tomorrow" I say before taking a sip of my coffee.

"Right well I'll leave you too it then, I'm just next door if you need me! Oh by the way Zander said he's swinging by this morning something about paper work" With that Ron turned and waved as he exited the door.

A flutter of tiny butterflies flitted across my stomach, Zander's coming?!. I couldn't help but feel a little excited at the thought of seeing him again. I ran quickly to the mirror id hung in the little restroom to check my make up and smooth my hair, I applied a little lip balm and stood watching myself in the mirror. This is stupid as if he'd be interested in me, I shake my head and turn back into the salon hearing a knock on the door and see my furniture has finally arrived.

After organising the salon I take a step back and look around proud of myself for all I've achieved. I did this on my own.

I hear the door open and my stomach flips i secretly hope its Zander. I turn to see his 6 foot 3 masculine figure clad in black fitted trousers and a black shirt to match, my breath catches in my throat a little I've never seen a man like this before in my life. He flashes me a bright white smile, his steely eyes quickly running up and down my body. "Hi" he says in his deep voice. "Just thought I'd swing by and see how you were getting on".

"Yeah all good Thank you" I stutter for a moment and blush under his gaze.

"Well I'm certainly impressed, I love what you've done with the place"

He takes a look a round and then back to me. Another wave of butterflies flit across my stomach, oh this man.

"Thanks, it's took me most of the day today I could definitely use a liquid lunch!" I giggle a little, why did I say that he'll think his new tenant is an alcoholic needing a drink at 3 in the afternoon. My stomach also growls a little too making my cheeks flush hopefully he didn't hear it.

He raises a brow a little, "well by the sounds of it you're ready for some lunch so shall we? I know a nice little place 10 minute walk from here."

No he heard. I blush again but can't help the smile on my face. "Yeah that would be nice just give me two minutes" I say as I back towards the door up to my apartment. There's no way I'm going for lunch with him dressed like this. "2 minutes" he says tapping his watch and smirking at me. Is he flirting? Gosh I hope he is. I giggle and run up the stairs and straight to my wardrobe. Thank heaven I organised my clothes last night. I quickly pull out a pair of skinny black jeans and a silk ivory shirt. I slip on my heeled black boots and grab my jacket before checking my reflection in the mirror, I quickly tussle my curls out and head towards the stairs.

"Ready!" I can't help myself but smile at this man even if it is a little nervous smile, his good looks and size are a little intimidating to me especially being about a foot smaller than him. I notice him quickly run his eyes up and down my body making me blush again.

"Great, you look.. beautiful" Zander flashes that dazzling smile again whilst heading towards the door and opening it for me. My stomach flips as a wash of nerves come over me, I'm going for lunch with my new hot 'boss' and he's just called me beautiful. "We can get to know each other and I've just got a few extra things for you to sign for the lease."

"No problem" I say as I walk past him out of the door. There it is again, his cologne is the nicest thing I've ever smelt it's tantalising.

***

Zander POV

As we walk into the restaurant I can't stop staring at her ass, her perfect pert ass. And breathing in that intoxicating mix of orange and honey. Stop it Zan I scold myself, this is risky enough taking her out for lunch never mind having dirty thoughts about the woman. "I don't mind the thoughts" chimes in my wolf. I push him back again, I knew I should have just sent Dan to bring the papers down but I couldn't resist 5 minutes with her. I know this is wrong but she intrigues me and now I'm at lunch. Moon Goddess help me.

I notice the girl serving is also a wolf, she looks at me with obvious lust. Before I'd have snapped her up no problem but now standing with Grace it's making me cringe a little. Being werewolves we're naturally s****l beasts and not shy to lay it on thick to get what we want.

"Well Hi there, table for two is it?" I can see the waitress sniffing the air slightly as she gathers some menus and starts to show us to a table, she knows Grace is human the distaste clear on her face.

"Yes it is" I say as I gently touch Grace's lower back to usher her to follow. The sparks shoot up my arm, she jumps ever so slightly. Surely she can't feel this too?

As we are seated into the booth I can see the waitress eyeing Grace who seems to be un phased by it but it angers me, don't look at my mate like that. She flicks her eyes to me and I narrow mine emitting my alpha aura and letting her know she displeases me, the girl quickly realises and averts her eyes. "Your server will be over shortly" she says lowering her head and scurrying off in a hurry.

"So.. tell me about yourself then Zander? Have you got many places in the city?" My name in her mouth is all I need to stir to attention. She props her elbow up onto the table and rests her face onto her knuckles.

"I own half of it" I say with a smirk. I see her eyes widen a little I can see the shock plain on her face. "Wow very impressive" I can tell she's got a million questions for me but she refrains and I'm glad.

"Tell me about yourself Grace" I say changing the subject.

She shrugs a little before answering "There's not a lot to know really, I'm 24 I've just moved out of my Aunt and Uncles place, I set up my business 2 years ago and ready for an adventure"

I know where I'd like to adventure. I ignore my wolfs comment and try to concentrate on Grace.

"Anyway I asked about you first! Apart from owning half the city who is my 'Boss'?"

Just as I'm about to answer the server comes over to take our orders. As Grace orders hers I ponder for a moment who am I? Alpha of the greatest pack in the north, trying to fix my fathers wrongs. A son, a brother, a friend, a killer. I push the thoughts out of my mind, to other wolves that's what I want them to know that I'm not scared to crush someone for the greater need of my pack. But her, I don't want her to know the dark places I go to. She can't know.

"And you Sir?" The waitress's voice brings me back to reality, I place my order and turn my attention back to Grace. "Me? Nothing interesting"

Apart from half of me is a wolf.

"My father started buying places originally and then I took over when he passed and I've just expanded from there." I keep it vague but it's not worlds away from the truth.

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that" I notice a flash of emotion in her eyes as she says that, sadness almost?

"Don't worry, he wasn't a man many people miss" I answer truthfully.

I decide to change the subject, my father is not a topic I want to discuss with Grace. "So tell me, what are your plans for the future with the salon? How long do you plan on staying?"

"Well I'm hoping to be around for a while, it's something I've always wanted. I want to build an empire."

Something we have in common.

"Well cheers to you Grace" I say lifting my glass of wine up to cheers with hers. She blushes a little before bringing the glass to her lips, I watch her taking a sip of the cool wine then licking her lips as she places it down back onto the table.

Fuck, what id do to take her on the table right now. She scrunches her nose and frowns ever so slightly as she looks into my eyes. s**t, my eyes must have darkened a little and she's noticed. This is a dangerous game that I know I shouldn't be playing, but when has Zander Black ever run away from danger.