The Alpha’s Flame

20 Questions - Ember’s POV

Did I just do that? “Yeah. You did. I would have gone for the lips personally.” My ever so sassy conscience teases. Okay okay it cool Winston I tell myself. This is really weird. We met less than a couple hours ago, and I’m holding his hand and going for an evening stroll. “Don’t forget the after hours dinning.” My conscience adds. There’s a tall man who comes up to meet us. He bows his head and stares at John.

“Welcome Luna! The names Mike. If you guys follow me, I’ll lead you to your table. The grills are all ready so just holler for me when you’re ready.”

Luna? How’d he know my nickname? Maybe that’s Johns last name? We follow him to a booth in the back. It’s like something out of a movie. Mood lighting, romantic and secluded from the rest of the restaurant. Definitely where you’d want to be on a date if the restaurant was busy. We slide into the booth and John and Mike share a look between themselves. Okay, I swear they are talking through their eyes.

“Order whatever you’s like. No menus needed for you.” Mike chimes and he turns and starts down the hall leaving John and I to ourselves.

“He’s really nice.” I say breaking the silence. I’m internally face palming myself. He’s really nice?

“Yeah, he’s a good friend. What are thinking of eating?” He places his hand over mine on the table. I don’t know what it is about his touch. It’s electric and I don’t want it to end. Honestly, put me in handcuffs so we can hold hands endlessly. There’s be no complaints from me. My hands look like a child’s hand in his. They’re almost double the size. And they’re so warm. I look back up to him. Crap. He’s staring at me. Did he say something? “Yeah dumbass. Instead of thinking about his hands, listen to him. His hands really? I’d be thinking about something else.” I practically choke on air with my conscience’s last thought. I feel the heat in my cheeks.

“Uh what sorry?” I ask him. He smiles and lets out a chuckle.

“What would you like to eat?”

“Oh.” I laugh it off. Of course that’s what he asked.

“Uh, if I’m honest.. I don’t want to be a hassle. It’s late and he’s closed, I’m good with just a coffee or hot chocolate.” What the hell? Why am I trying to rush out of here? I want to spend time with him. He’s interesting. He’s the first guy that I have found attractive since the whole Colin fiasco. I shutter at the memory of him. Real nice for my brain to bring up that memory.

“You could never be a hassle. I already spoke to Mike. We’re good to order something to eat. It’s okay really.” He’s holding my hand in his and brushing his thumb over the tops of my knuckles. He’s so sweet.

“Am I making you feel uncomfortable?” He asks, and that immediately brings me out of my thoughts.

“What? No! No not at all.” I reassure him. I can’t help but slide a little bit closer to him. Internally being grateful that we’re in a booth and not seated at a table with chairs.

Mike returns and stands in front of us.

“Okay, so what did yous come up with?” He looks between John and I. I can’t help but stay quiet. John speaks first.

“I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries” John says. Mike turns his attention to me.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a hassle. I know it’s late.” Just then my stomach rumbles quietly. I am starving. All I have back at my apartment is frozen meals. I really need to go do some grocery shopping tomorrow.

Mike laughs.

“Yes Luna. You come here to Mike’s. You must eat. My food is exceptional!” I smile at him.

“Okay, I’ll have what he’s having.”

“Alrighty. Drinks?”

“I’m good with just a water.” I look at John. John nods his head at Mike.

“I’ll have what she’s having.” He copies my earlier statement. Mike turns on his heel and heads to what I presume is the kitchen. And now it’s just the two of us. “Good.” My conscience chimes. I roll my eyes at her.

“That’s the second time he’s called me Luna.” I say to John. He shifts a tad closer to me.

“Yeah I noticed that.” He leans towards me only leaving a few inches between or faces.

“It’s funny. Luna is a nickname of mine at the station. Odd that your friend would know that.” I see John’s eyes glimmer.

“Is it really?” His smile almost seems proud. I can’t help but smile back at him. I nod my head.

“How’d you get that nickname?” He’s back to holding my hand and rubbing his thumb across the top of my knuckles.

“I can’t remember who started calling me Luna first but they say it’s because I’m independent and brave. And I tend to take care of everyone.” I want to close the distance between us and cuddle into him. “That’s not the only thing you want to do.” She chimes in my head again. I blush at the thought of us kissing. Yes, I do want that. But he’d probably think I was some tramp if I kissed him only after a few hours of knowing him. “What if he kisses us first?” She brings a good point. And a good excuse at that.

“That’s a good nickname then. You have anymore?”

“Other than Luna, just Winnie. Short for my last name.” I tell him.

“What about yourself? Any nicknames.?”

“You want to know if there’s any nicknames for me?” He chuckles.

“What do you think they are?” His voice is playful and mesmerizing.

“You want me to guess?” He nods his head. Okay, he’s tall, muscular, kind of has this lumberjack thing going on. But sexy as hell. And his aura, just screams boss. Like he’s the one calling all the shots. Not mafia boss, but if there’s a table, he’s at the head of it. The Boss? Nah there’s no ring to that. He holds a title. Oh. Don’t know how it didn’t come to mind earlier. I just stare into his eyes and watch him smile.

“Alpha. I bet they call you Alpha.” And just like that his eyes looked as if they went a shade darker. I can tell he was about to say something, but Mike threw us off when he came to the table with our food.

“Alright, here they are. Two cheeseburgers and waters. Just give me a shout if you want anything else.” He gives me a friendly smile and slightly bows his head and is back down the hall.

I look back at John who is still staring at me. You could say there’s something in the air between us. I look down at his lips then back to his eyes. The next thing I know, I’m practically on top of him smashing my lips into his. I can hear the plates crash to the floor. I’m hungry, but not for food. I’m craving his touch and his kiss. This is so unlike me. Yeah I’m confident and I go for what I want, but this? This is weird. It’s like there’s something else at play here. He deepens the kiss and caresses my lower back with his hand sending shivers up my spine. A small moan escapes from my lips.

“Hungry?” Johns voice snaps me out of my head. What the f*ck was that? I scratch my head and let giggle nervously.

“Yeah I guess so.” He looks down at his plate and lifts his burger up.

“Well cheers.” He wants to do cheers with burgers? That’s cute. I smile at him and lift mine to his.

“Cheers.” We eat the first few bites in silence. Wow. This is amazing. It’s so flavourful. Mouthwatering really. “That’s not the only thing mouthwatering.” My conscience purrs again. Well she’s not wrong. “Of course not. Look at him.” She banters back. I look at John and smile. He’s got a little bit of ketchup in the corner of his lip. “Mmm, you should get that for him. It’s distracting. Perhaps lick it off?” I blush at her bold thoughts. John tilts his head to the side while giving me a quizzical look.

“What thoughts you got going on in there?” I chuckle.

“I was thinking, you look cute with the bit of ketchup in the corner of your mouth.” I tease him back. He laughs and licks it away while never breaking eye contact with me. There it is again. That hot feeling. He’s definitely flirting with me. Well two can play that game. Should get to know him more though.

“20 questions?” I blurt out before I could even think of something else. 20 questions really? What are we, in high school? I mentally facepalm myself. Okay, okay it off. I look at him and grab a fry and dip it in ketchup.

“What’s 20 questions?” He looks amused.

“You’ve never played it?” He shakes his head no.

“Oh. It’s a questions game. To get to know someone better. Kind of like an ice breaker?” He nods his head while taking another bite of his burger. “He can take bite of me.” My conscience purrs. Okay! You got to stop that! You’re too distracting and I want to know him better I practically yell at her in my head. Who is the voice anyway!

“Well I guess you can say, there’s never been anyone worth getting to know for me.”his voice is so smooth. Crap. Maybe I read him wrong and this is all in my head. And my conscience’s remarks have blurred reality.

“Oh, okay then. We don’t have to play it then.” I think I played the rejection off well. He reaches for my hand.

“Oh no, we’re playing. What I meant is that there was no one worth getting to know until you.” He emphasized the last word. My breath hitched when he said that.

“So how does it work? You ask all 20 at once?” He questions?

“And does that count as a question?” He jokes. I laugh at his playfulness. He’s cute. Charming. Handsome. “And sexy.” She chuckles in my head. Shut up you!

“You usually take turns asking questions to one another.” I explain. I pop the last bite of the burger into my mouth and wait for his response. I feel giddy all of a sudden. I’m looking forward to learning more about him. He clears his throat.

“Ladies first?” He asks. I smile and lean towards him.

“Okay. Favourite movie?” Start it off simple, and build from there. He laughs.

“Favourite movie huh? Well Jurassic Park.” He leans in a bit closer as well. I nod my head in approval.

“That’s a good one.” I wait for him. Now I’m nervous. He’s going to get know stuff about me.

“What’s your favourite season?” He reaches for my hand again and holds it in his on top of the table.

“It’s a toss up between fall and winter.” He looks surprised by my answer. So I elaborates bit.

“I like the smell of the air in the fall. And the sound of snow under your boots when you’re walking. Also, I might sound crazy for this, but there’s lots of fire to put out.” Probably shouldn’t have added that last bit in there. He chuckles at my explanation. “You don’t sound crazy. You sound like a bit of a fire nerd, but that comes with the occupation I guess?” He reassures me. I smile at him. We slide closer to the middle of the booth. Okay next question. What do I want to know? Other than everything that is.

“What’s your taste in music?” I lean into his shoulder a bit, but I make sure I can still his face. He lets go of my hand. A bit of disappointment pangs in my chest, but it’s quickly cut short when he moves his around my shoulder. I smile up at him. My inner girl is freaking out. And my conscience, well she’s just standing there smirking at me.

“I listen to a variety of things. Bit of classics, some rock, rap, a bit of pop. And some country. It depends on the day really.” He looks distracted for second. But his attention is back on me when looks down and smiles.