The Alpha's a b***h

The Alpha's a b***h, Book One, Chapter 3

The Alpha's a b***h, Book One, Chapter 3

“HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?” she asked in a soft voice as she sat down at the table across from him. She didn't want him to think that she was pushing him.

“I don't remember much,” he frowned as he took a sip of his tea.

“Well, what about a simple one like what's your name?” she inquired casually.

“I honestly...” he hesitated and shook his head slowly. “I'm just not sure.” Stephanie heard alarm bells ringing in the back of her mind and she eyed him with a new sense of skepticism. She was wary of him and wondering why his circumstances were so strange.

“Are you a criminal?” she asked cautiously. When he didn't answer right away, instead, stared down at his empty plate, Stephanie pushed forward. “Are you just lying to me? Is that it?”

“No, please,” he leaned forward and she sat back in her chair slightly, feeling a little startled by his closeness. “I would never lie to you, not after all that you've done for me. I'm so grateful that you helped me. I would do anything in my power to repay you.”

Stephanie shifted uncomfortably and ducked her head to disguise a blush that began heating her cheeks. His voice was so full of conviction that she found it hard to doubt him. When she finally stole a glance up at him, she found him waiting to meet her eyes with those ice blue orbs he had been blessed with.

“Well... you need a name,” she said quietly. “Your eyes are stunning... the color I mean – they're so blue. Almost like ice. Let's see... cold, winter, ice, frost, Jack Frost? How about Jack?”

“Jack,” he repeated and a slow smile grew on his lips. “That sounds perfect.”

Over the next couple of days of Steff's unexpected mini vacation, Jack and Steff grew closer. Each day he healed and felt a little stronger. The moment he could, he offered to help her around her little house any way that he could. Stephanie found his eagerness to repay her to be sweet, and enjoyed spending time with him.

One afternoon, three days after the accident, he began working in the backyard. She watched him through the kitchen window as she cooked them both dinner. He moved swiftly, clearing out the untended gardens and planting new flowers. He removed tree limbs, cut the grass, and worked very hard.

She smiled as she watched his fluid motions, admitting to herself that she felt happier than she had in a very long time. She watched him work for a little while longer, and then returned to cooking. When he finally came inside the house, he was excited to show her what he had done.

“Come see,” he smiled and offered her his hand.

Stephanie hesitantly took it. He didn't seem to notice how nervous she was as he pulled her along behind him. Jack told her all about the new flowers he had planted and then introduced her to the new stone path that he had just made for her.

“It's beautiful,” she said and sighed with admiration as she looked at her clean and newly groomed backyard. She had been so busy with work that she never bothered to take proper care of it. Now it seemed like a lovely place to spend some free time. “Thank you so much.”

“Oh, it's nothing,” he said with a grin. “It's the least I can do, after all that you've done for me. I'm glad you like it.”

Stephanie thanked him once more, and then turned back toward the house to finish the food she was cooking for supper. As she walked along the stone path, she tripped on the edge of a rock, and almost fell. But Jack was there in a split second to save her. He pulled her up into his arms, cradling her against him and carried her into the house. Stephanie blushed madly at being in such a position.

“Just put me down,” she mumbled, but her voice was so quiet that he didn't seem to hear her. He did notice how red her cheeks were however.

“Why are your cheeks so red?” he asked with confusion, still holding her in his arms. “Are they sore?”

Stephanie blushed a deep shade of crimson, and before she could answer, Jack had kissed her softly on the curve of her cheek. She felt her heart flutter, and her eyes widened as she looked up at him. He stared back down into her eyes, the connection between them becoming electrical.

Before either could say a word, the back door of the house was kicked in with a loud crash. Jack quickly placed Stephanie down on her feet and pushed her behind him. His eyes were locked on the woman who walked through the rubble of the door. The dark haired woman did not hesitate for a moment as she launched forward and wrapped her arms around Jack's neck.

“I was so worried about you!” she yelled out as she held him tightly to her. Stephanie lowered her eyes and tried to hide her disappointment. It seemed obvious to her that this woman must be Jack's girlfriend... or lover. However, it did not seem that clear to Jack, who tugged himself free of the woman's grasp and looked at her strangely.