The Alpha's Pursuit

Chapter 6 -Parker's P.O.V.

Striding into the conference room with my chin thrust high, I ignored Beau or tried to. I really, really did. But the heat from a stare I immediately detected bore into my entire body, and if I dared to glance over, I feared I would find his eyes locked onto me.

Fumbling with full hands, I imagined dropping everything on the ground if I allowed myself to meet that heat-seeking missile head-on.

As I moved around the room, my legs were quickly becoming jelly the closer I stepped to Mr. Adler. I placed an iPad in front of each person present at the meeting, with the figures already pulled up on the screens.

Two of the men stood with their backs to the windows and declined when I offered them tablets. My brow furrowed in confusion when I realized these guys were not interested in reviewing the calculated numbers.

Wasn't that why they came? I offered to get them chairs, but they shook their heads to that, too. They exuded secret service vibes.

All those in attendance donned suits and ties except for Beau, even the mute statues. Perhaps he couldn’t locate one in his size.

Biting my tongue to stop the snort threatening to escape, I marshaled my bravery and carried on toward the man who embodied the phrase, s*x on a stick. Dammit, Parker. My heart began to race and my mouth dried. Why is it so freaking hot in here?

My arm brushed against Mr.Adler's shoulder as I set the device in front of him. Another shock shot through my bicep and ran straight to my lower belly, causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

He shuddered and snapped his head up, his eyes pure black. What the hell? I stumbled back, flustered and embarrassed. Trembling, I continued to the last man. Acknowledging him with a smile, he responded with a smirk, but not at me. Instead, he aimed it at someone behind me.

Shit! Of course, I snuck a glimpse. The man appeared to be taunting his boss, Mr. Adler. Did this have to do with me somehow? Whatever.

"Chris… " the velvet tone of his warning to his employee, raced up my spine. I had to get out of here.

I pushed my glasses up my nose and sat next to Mr. Braxton. Crossing one leg over the other, I lowered my head to avoid looking at the man, who was impossible to ignore, and pretended to be engrossed in my own device.

I fidgeted in discomfort at his presence, but my annoying body hummed in a pleasurable way. I didn’t understand and, quite frankly, didn’t want to. The intensity overwhelmed me. My skin itched and tingled and the urge to run screaming from the room became almost unbearable.

“Right, well, if anyone wants hard copies, Parker packaged them. She will hand out the folders when we are done here so you can take them with you for further review if you so choose,” Mr. Braxton stated.

They proceeded with the rest of the bid details, I think. I zoned out, lost in my own thoughts.

"Miss Rose?" Mr. Braxton called, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Oh, sorry!" I squeaked out in embarrassment before delving into my portion of the presentation, paying attention to my screen, and when making eye contact with the men in the room, I deliberately avoided... him.

Every once in a while, he cleared his throat, and I only rolled my eyes once out of the ten times I wanted to.

After running down the calculations and cost for the build of the packhouse, as they called it, which sounded weird as hell but not my problem, I stood to leave. The rest of the conversation didn’t call for my presence.

I abandoned my tablet on the counter by he exit and said goodbye. The tension in my shoulders slowly seeped out in relief as my freedom was within my grasp.

Reaching the door handle to yank it open, Mr. Adler flew out of his seat and opened it for me. What in the hell? How did he get here so fast?

I jolted back in surprise, which forced me to peer up through my lashes in curiosity. Our eyes made contact again. f**k! Not the damn gorgeous green eyes again. Wait… weren't they practically black before. No, I must be seeing things.

The fluttering in my stomach grew into a thousand wings flapping. Stumbling back another step in shock over the sensation coursing through my body, the desire to run heightened. The urge never left; it only ebbed and flowed in the last few hours.

“T-th-thank you,” I muttered before turning to exit the room, but then I felt his breath moving the hair by my neck.

My head swung back at him when I swore he sniffed the air again. What the f**k is this guy’s deal?

He still held the door, but sheepishly, he apologized. It was strange to see a fierce giant man wearing a shy expression on his sharp, chiseled face.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. It definitely was a pleasure to meet YOU, Miss Parker Rose,” he whispered huskily and licked his lips. Those plump, enticing– Stop it, Parker! My lips parted and my heart raced again.

When he said my name, a shudder tickled my spine from neck to tailbone. I fought for control over my body so he wouldn’t catch it, and I became stiff in the attempt.

He stuck his hand out to shake mine, which seemed awkward in the small space between us as he crowded me.

My eyebrow arched with skepticism, but I shook it anyway. More shocks sparked electrical currents up my arm. This time, the pulsing hit even lower, and I had to grit my teeth to stop a moan.

What in the hell is happening to me!? His eye lids were at half mast now. Desire, obvious in his expression.

Sweet baby Jesus. I barely pulled it together to respond and remember we had an audience. Heat filled my cheeks and neck. I must look like a damn tomato.

“Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Adler. I hope we can do business together and the numbers meet your expectations.” My lips moved like a ventriloquist due to my clenched jaw.

I was ramrod stiff and at the same time ready to melt into a puddle at any moment. My head throbbed from the contradictions of my own body.

He chuckled—deep and sexy. His confidence returned, and his bashfulness was now gone. He still gripped my hand in his, so I attempted to remove it, but he held fast, and pink bloomed further in my cheeks. Ugh! This stupid man.

He clicked his tongue at me in admonishment.

“It’s Beau. No need to be so formal,” he flashed a toothy smile. Does he have a f*****g dimple? f**k me.

It’s not fair for him to be so beautiful, smell so amazing, and be so intimidating simultaneously. I swallowed or tried to, as my mouth was as dry as the Sahara.

"Fine. Beau.” I tore my eyes away, but not before I caught his darkening again. Then he closed them completely as he murmured my name so quietly I couldn’t be sure I heard him right. That’s it. I’ve lost it, and I need to schedule a doctor’s appointment, like a therapist.

Relinquishing my hand, he reached up to push my glasses up since they had fallen down the bridge once more. Gasping at the intimate gesture and in front of all these people, I wished for a hole to open up and swallow me.

Wondering if anyone else was paying attention, I glanced around. The awkward situation had driven right past inappropriate and unprofessional, and my boss said nothing.

Worse yet, no one batted an eye to this insane interaction. Thomas Braxton has some explaining to do after Adler & Sons LLC leaves, or I’ll quit or demand a raise.

Perhaps I’m overreacting, considering everyone else’s lack of reaction.

Racing away from him I returned to my office on the other side of the copier room and closed the door. I couldn’t help but lock it as well. Drawing a huge breath, I strode to my desk and fell back into my chair.

His mere presence sucked all the oxygen out of the room. Collecting myself, I started my computer and pulled up my email inbox to dig through any potential work emails. Who am I kidding? My foot tapped nervously under my chair, and I couldn’t muster any focus.

A smile spread across my face when a personal message from my brother reminded me about our upcoming weekend. His excitement was evident from all the exclamation points in his IM.

My own enthusiasm became overshadowed by a clawing desire to get the hell out of this office and far away from HIM. After a bizarre day like today, I craved this vacation even more than when I woke up.

I blamed the air-sucking Greek God for showing up in my office and staring at me like a snack to be devoured. And yet, I squirmed in my chair, recognizing the effect he had on my panties. Not just fear flowed through me, but arousal, and it irritated me.

The vortex he threatened to suck me into scared the crap out of me, and I needed to get far away from here– from him.

My body turned into a complete traitor and might allow me to be drawn into the lust and attraction that thickened the atmosphere around us. Maybe it’s all in my head, and he is just super intense. Yeah right.

I played with my ponytail and checked the time, 12:00 P.M. Biting my nails and glancing at the door, I contemplated taking the rest of the week off. Perhaps starting today, I’d leave early. Like now, early. The phone on my desk rang just as I was about to draft the request. Damn.

Stella, the receptionist from the front office, chirped into the phone. She was always bored or annoyed.

"Mr. Braxton needs you back in the conference room. They aren't done, yet. They are scheduling a visit to the property and for whatever reason sounds like you are a part of that." She huffed in disbelief and then hung up. I never even said a word. She was always so damn charming.

Mr. Braxton never invited me back to what I assumed was just the "wrap-up” for the meeting, let alone a property viewing. I'm a numbers cruncher. Panic surged, and my heart thudded in my ears.

My shaking legs rose, and I dragged my feet the whole way. The door of Conference Room A lay open a crack, and the sounds of voices drifted out into the hallway. My boss’ voice reached my ears first in a hushed whisper.

“Look, I realize she's your mate. It’s obvious. How are you going to explain it to her? She is clueless about anything regarding the supernatural, let alone us. I’m positive.”

“Yeah, I have no idea. I need to take her to the pack property right away. I’ll worry about dropping the bomb afterward. But I can’t risk Parker running off. I don’t imagine it’s going to go over well.” He sighed and continued, "Chris, do you have that rag on you, or is it still in the car?”

“Yeah, it’s right here. I retrieved it after she left the meeting. Figured this could happen,” he responded with a chuckle. They were laughing at this sinister plot?

“I didn’t expect a human to be my… ” he groaned before it suddenly became deadly silent. f**k!

Holding my breath and inching backward, I discerned a restrained rumble. Similar to another growl as it vibrated from the conference room. No one else sat in the waiting room or the hall. Did they discuss this crazy crap with all of them in attendance?

Without hesitation, I edged my way back to my office like my ass had been set ablaze. What in the hell did any of it mean? Mate. Human.

They said my name. They spoke of me specifically. Did it sound like they planned to kidnap me or hold me hostage? Yes, yes, it freaking did. Okay, I’m out.

On autopilot, I found myself back in my office and locked the door again with trembling fingers.

My forehead briefly rested on the wooden door while I tried to slow my ragged breathing. I couldn’t afford a panic attack, or I’m not getting out of here. Breathe Parker. Breathe. In and out.

Lifting my head, I moved fast. It dawned on me that if he figured out I was eavesdropping, they would be here at any moment.

Snatching my purse and keys, I raced toward the back door leading to the parking lot. Thanking God again for having my private entrance, I pushed the glass door open as I peeked over my shoulder.

No one and no noise. Not yet. I’ll tell Mr. Braxton or at this point, Tom, since he seemed complacent in this crazy scheme that I didn’t feel well or, actually, I could never talk to him again. Supernatural? What the hell? Let’s be honest, girl; we won’t be coming back here ever again.

Beau and his friends should be parked out front, so my escape should go unnoticed. Slipping through the door just as a knock echoed throughout my office, and my name permeated from the other side of the wall. Beau. Gulp.

I shut the outer door quietly, cringing at every little sound I made before running to my car and hopping in.

I sped away before they could do whatever it was they had planned to do. Tremors rocked me at the idea of them thwarting my plans and capturing me raced through me. Once I’m at my place, I could relax, but I don’t think my heart rate would ever return to normal.

Messaging Jake topped my to-do list the moment I crossed the threshold of my apartment. Second would be packing, and third, getting the f**k out of here.