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. Eyes bore into my entire body, and if I dared to glance over, I guessed I would find his locked onto me.

Figures were already pulled up on the devices, so I placed an iPad in front of each person present at the meeting.

Two of the men stood at the window 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. Isn’t that why they came?

All those in attendance donned suits and ties except for Beau. Perhaps he couldn’t locate one in his size. Biting my tongue to stop the snort threatening to escape, I rallied my bravery and carried on to the man who embodied the phrase, s*x on a stick. Dammit, Parker.

My arm brushed against Beau’s shoulder as I set the iPad before him. Another shock shot through my bicep and ran straight to my belly.

Air escaped my lungs before I moved away from him, and he shivered, snapping his head toward me. Jolting from him, flustered, I continued to the last man, Chris. Acknowledging him with a smile, he responded with a smirk, but not at me. Instead, he aimed it at someone behind me, and I took one guess at who.

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

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 Beau, pretending to be engrossed in my device.

The man caused me to fidget in discomfort, but my body hummed in a pleasurable way. I didn’t understand and, quite frankly, didn’t want to. The intensity overwhelmed and frightened me.

“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 it with you for further review if you so choose,” Mr. Braxton stated.

They proceeded with the rest of the details of the bid.

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 monkey, I stood to leave. The rest of the conversation didn’t call for my presence. I abandoned my tablet on the counter by the exit and said goodbye to everyone.

Reaching the door 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 jumped back in surprise, which forced me to peer up through my eyelashes in curiosity. Our eyes made contact again. f**k! Not the damn gorgeous green eyes again.

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 returned. The urge never left; it only ebbed and flowed in the last few hours.

“T-thank you,” I muttered before beginning to exit the room.

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 stern face.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. It was a definite pleasure to meet YOU, Miss Parker Rose,” he smiled, but his voice whispered huskily, and he licked his lips. Those plump enticing -Stop it, Parker!

When he said my name, a shudder tickled my spine from neck to tailbone. Embarrassed, 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, and my eyebrow arched with skepticism, but I shook it anyway. More shocks sparked electrical currents up my arm. This time, it pulsed in my lower region, and I had to grit my teeth to stop a moan. What in the hell is happening to me!?

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

He only chuckled—deep and sexy. His confidence returned, and his embarrassment disappeared. Grasping my hand in his, I attempted to remove it, but he held fast, and pink bloomed 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.

I sighed and used my free hand to pinch the bridge of my nose.

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 dried like the Sahara.

"Beau,” and before I tore my eyes away, I caught his darkening again. Then he closed them before murmuring 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 passed past inappropriate and unprofessional, and my boss said nothing.

Worse yet, no one batted an eye to this insane interaction. Braxton will talk with me after Adler LLC leaves, or I’ll quit or demand a raise. Perhaps I’m overreacting, considering everyone else’s lack of reaction.

I returned to my office on the other side of the copier room and closed the door. I couldn’t help but to 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 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 note.

My enthusiasm over this trip seemed weeks ago, not just this morning. After a 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 haul me into scared the crap out of me, and I needed to get far away from there. My body turned 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 super intense.

I played with my ponytail and checked the time. 1200 p.m. Biting my nails and glancing out the door, I contemplated taking the rest of the week off. Perhaps starting today, I’d leave early. Like now, early. My computer phone rang. Damn.

Stella from the front office called my team's phone on my desktop, urging me to return to the meeting, which hadn’t ended.

Blathering on about a vital wrap-up portion, which spiraled me into suspicion. Braxton never invited me to a "wrap-up” for a bid. The panic surged, and my heart thudded in my ears as I blocked out much of what she said.

She droned on like an adult in a Charlie Brown cartoon. She hung up, but not before she urged me to return to the conference room and mentioned visiting the property and how we had won the bid.

My shaking legs rose, and I dragged my feet the whole way. The door laid open a crack, and the sounds of voices drifted out into the hallway. Braxton’s voice reached my ears first.

“Look, I realize she is 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 cloth 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.

“I didn’t expect a human to be my...” he groaned before it went dead quiet.

Holding my breath and inching backward, I picked up 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 ended up back in my office and locked my door with trembling fingers. My forehead briefly rested on the wooden door while I tried to slow my ragged breathing. I can’t afford a panic attack, or I’m not getting out of here. Breathe Parker. Breathe. In and out.

Why did Beau stop talking? Did he sense me listening to them? Lifting my head, I moved fast. It dawned on me that if he figured out I eavesdropped, 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 for the second time for having my private entrance, I reached for the handle and peeked over my shoulder.

No one and no noise. Not yet. I’ll tell my boss I didn’t feel well or I will never talk to him again. Supernatural? What the hell? Let’s be honest, girl; we won’t be talking to him ever again, either.

Beau and friends should be parked out front, so my escape should go undetected. Slipping out the door, I discerned a knock from the other side of the room and my name permeating 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 into it.

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

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