The Alpha in her Dreams

"Dream Man" Coffee

“Laurel!! It sounds like he’s your soulmate! Why are you telling me this story like it’s the worst day of your life?!”

“Well, have you forgotten the little detail of me having a boyfriend for the past 3 years? A pretty great boyfriend who wants me to move in with him and hasn’t done anything to deserve me chasing some stranger around?”

“Look, you know Henry isn’t my favorite person. He’s nice but- I don’t know, he’s just so haughty sometimes. I don’t think he appreciates you, and he definitely doesn’t know you as well as he thinks he does. Besides, if he were such a perfect boyfriend, then you wouldn’t be avoiding the next step with him…. maybe it’s time to admit that just because he’s a good guy doesn’t mean he’s the right guy.”

That night, Laurel again had the dream. This time though, Shepherd approached her, and she didn’t wake up. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his body. His other hand weaving through her hair, guiding her face towards him as his soft lips gently but passionately pressed against hers. She felt herself melt into him. She’d never felt so turned on, so safe, so… at home. She awoke the next morning with tingles all over her body and forced herself to shake his face from her mind as she got ready for work.

She was mercifully busy all day. The flight to Sky Corp was set for the following morning. She’d called Matthius to arrange the trip.

Her boss, Jim, pulled her aside almost as soon as she stepped off the elevator to warn her not to mess up the deal or be too friendly with clients. He was irritatingly smug for someone who let her do all the heavy lifting around the office.

After work, she made her way to Susu’s coffee shop. She wanted to go over the specs for Sky Corp before she went to bed and that meant she needed coffee! Susu was leaning over the counter talking to a man with a flirtatious smile on her face when Laurel walked in.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in! You want your usual, Laurel?”

As Susu was speaking, the man at the counter turned around. It was Shepherd. He didn’t look surprised to see her at all. Laurel, on the other hand, was not at all prepared to see him. She consciously relaxed the muscles in her face and took a small breath to steady herself.

“Ms. Davis, what a pleasure seeing you! Do you come here often?”

“Please, call me Laurel. Susu here is my roommate, and she makes the best coffee in the northeast.”

Laurel hoped her forced calm was convincing. She felt her heartrate quicken as soon as his eyes fell upon her. Glancing at Susu, who had a knowing smile on her face, was enough to let her know that she wasn’t fooling anyone.

“Would you sit with me for a while?”

“I’m actually heading home. I have some work to look over before our trip tomorrow.”

Susu walked back with both of their drinks. “Laurel” was written on her cup, and she inadvertently glanced at Shepherd’s cup. “Dream Man” was written on his cup, encircled with a heart. She was going to kill Susu for this.

“I’ll walk you home then,” he said as he studied his cup curiously. She started to protest but he said, “I insist” with such a charming glint in his eye that she gave in.

As they left the café, he gently guided her to the inside of the sidewalk so that he’d be closest to the busy street. His thoughtfulness made her smile. Stop, Laurel! Do not be charmed! You have a boyfriend. B..O..Y..F..R..I..E..N..D. How was she going to make it through an entire day of this? She tried to comfort herself that after tomorrow, Shepherd would return home, but the thought provided no relief. Her heart constricted at the prospect of not seeing him again. She marveled that she could feel this way for someone she barely knew. They walked in comfortable silence for a couple of minutes.

“So, Mr. Ryan, —”

“Shepherd,” he interrupted.

“Right. Shepherd. I was wondering why you would be interested in Sky Corp strictly for the land? That’s a lot of money to pay for property and it could be a profitable business in the right hands.”

“We may very well have use for it in the future. But our main operation is always on the hunt for large plots of land close to our current location. It’s getting more difficult to find. We’re profitable enough that even if we don’t have immediate plans, we can maintain the property until such a need arises.”

“Hmm. You must be phenomenally successful to buy such a property for a what if.”

Shepherd smiled and looked at her sideways, “I am. I’ve been in business for a long time. Long enough to know when something will be of use to me. I have a lot of people to care for and part of my role is ensuring that no matter what happens in the future, I’ll be able to support them. Properties like Sky Corp build our security. I don’t like to miss those opportunities.” He paused a moment before continuing. “What’s your background, Laurel? Have you always lived in the city? Do you have family nearby?”

“No. My parents died when I was young. I grew up with my aunt in Oregon. In a cabin in the middle of woods. About as opposite from New York City as you can get,” she chuckled. “I loved it though. I often miss being in the woods. But I appreciate the efficiency of the city too. I moved here after I graduated from Cal State.”

“I feel the same. It’s important to me to spend time in nature, but I enjoy my time in the city- if it doesn’t last too long. It’s part of what I love about being in business. I get the best of both worlds. And of course, I get to mingle with a lot of different people. Although to tell you the truth, I could do without that part.”

Laurel laughed at his confession. “Gee, thanks!”

He touched her elbow, and she turned slightly to face him. Her smile faded at the seriousness in his expression. “I didn’t mean you. I’ve never met anyone like you, Laurel.”

“You don’t know me,” she gently responded, almost as a question because she was sure that he somehow could know her in a way that no one else ever had.

Shepherd’s hands grasped each of hers, gently, yet electrically charged. Everything in her screamed to be his, to be touched by him, kissed by him, f****d by him.

“I want nothing more than to know you, every bit of you. Your dreams, your past, your likes, your dislikes, your everything,” he smiled broadly, hopefully.

She believed him but was using all her energy to remain rational and keep guard against feelings that made no sense.

“Laurel?”

She avoided the question, pulling her hands from his. “My apartment is just right up here.”

She glanced up the street, where she saw Henry waiting on her stoop with flowers in hand. Her shoulders fell. He was watching them. Laurel felt terrible. Shepherd looked up as well and his posture stiffened.