The Dark Alpha

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Why has it gone so quiet?" I whispered, hoping Janice would hear me all the way from across the table.

She bit her lip but nonetheless sent a hesitant shrug my way before clearing her throat, "let's order something," she jumped at the chance to change the subject and without meeting my eyes she immediately buried her nose into the menu.

I frowned, "who's that guy?" I asked her, nodding my head in the direction of the table filled with the burly looking men in suits. I looked at the stranger whose eyes were still trained on my form and a tremor travelled through my spine so I tried to avert my eyes as subtly as I could. I didn't want to bring about that awkward moment when you look into a person's eyes and you both know how weird it is, but none of you make a move to look away. I don't know if I'm making any sense, but I do know that I just didn't want to look at his dark brown eyes again.

"Hm, they've got lobster. Would you like that?" Janice inquired, not giving her full attention to me and what I was asking so I just sighed and shook my head.

"I don't eat fish. It feels unnatural," I answered her, picking up the menu and looking it over, "maybe I'll have...a salad."

"A salad?" She repeated like the words were foreign to her.

"They're not offering any crème brulé," I complained under my breath with a slight pout, "that's my favourite dish to eat."

"Cream what now?" She asked me and I smiled in return, "ok, let's dial it down a bit. This is New Cresthill, *not* Paris. So, let's start small, how would you like to order...a burger?" She suggested and I shook my head.

"Burger? I'd rather not. It's got a lot of calories, and you couldn’t possibly look ladylike whilst eating it," I disagreed with a shake of my head.

"Great, burger it is," Janice said with a grin, "you're going to break out of whoever _this_ is and explore what life has to offer you. Like eating an extra greasy burger and drinking Coke."

"That sounds like diabetes just waiting to happen," I snickered but didn't disagree, "but I'm so excited. My mother has never let me have a burger before," I informed Janice and was met with her expression of utter shock.

"It's ok, I'll take care of you," she said to me with a pout which grew into a teasing smile.

"He's coming over," I jerked up in shock and said to Janice as I looked over her shoulder just to see the handsome stranger making his way towards us.

I noticed his table had been cleared and it was only the three of us in this corner of the restaurant.

"Who?" Janice asked before she stiffened like someone had suddenly forced themselves into her body. Her eyes wide and body straightened like an ironing board.

"That guy who-"

"I have to go to the bathroom," she rushed out before she stood up and, I would say bolted, but I don't quite believe that's a fitting word because as soon as I blinked she was gone.

Just as she left, he appeared in my line of sight, "Arthur Charlesworth," he introduced with the kind of confidence that bachelor's in London and Birmingham could never match up to.

He extended his hand in my direction and I reached out with smile on my face, "Diamond Louise," I replied as I placed my hand in his.

My smaller hand fit perfectly into his calloused hands but that wasn’t what I was paying attention to. Instead my attention was solely on the sparks that suddenly erupted from my hands and travelled through my entire being all the way to my toes. I sucked in a breath and watched as he lifted my hand to his lips just to press a fleeting but lasting kiss to my knuckles.

I was never a fan of men kissing my knuckles, but this man was definitely an exception.

"May I take this seat?" He asked me as he pointed at Janice's chair and I hesitated.

"My friend is sitting there and I’m sure she won’t be long in the bathroom, but you can sit there for now," I said to him and he sat down, all the while keeping his eyes on trained on me.

"I've never seen you around before," he stated, his husky voice causing goosebumps to break out on my skin and suddenly I wanted to act like the perfect lady for him. I crossed my legs at the ankles instead of over my knee because crossing your legs over your knee causes vericose veins and we wouldn’t want that, now would we? I straightened my back even though I knew my posture was absolute perfection. I could easily balance a handful of books on the top of my head and not a single one would fall. I guess you could say I went through the full princess training.

"I just moved here less than four weeks ago," I explained, clearing my throat and hoping my voice sounded as appealing as I thought it did.

He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, "hm, are you here to stay?"

I gave it a moment of thought, "not really. I'll be going home after a couple of months. This is just some getaway time for myself, I guess. I'm sorry, Mr Charlesworth but I came here with my friend and it would be rude of me to dine with someone else," I finished off before I looked behind me to see where Janice was.

"Understandable. Well Miss Louise, I just wanted to come over and ask you to join me for a little tea and biscuits tomorrow morning or any other morning when you're available," he paused and looked at me and I looked back at him.

"Bold of you to ask," I commended, "what if I liked coffee?" I sassed back and he chuckled.

"Then I'll invite you for coffee and biscuits."

"I'm sorry, Mr Charlesworth-"

"Please, call me Arthur."

"I apologise, Arthur, but I didn't come all this way to go on dates," I said to him, "maybe some other lovely lass would appreciate the opportunity more than I."

He let out a breath, "just one cup of coffee then," he further said, "just one."

I bit my bottom lip and gave a slow nod. If I want to make more friends and form new bonds, then it should be no problem for me to agree to his plans. "Just one," I finally agreed and the corner of his lips lifted.

"Great, I'll pick you up tomorrow-"

"I'm perfectly capable of bringing myself over. Where will we meet?" I cut him off and inquired. This man was handsome and ticking all of the boxes that my mother made sure she had drilled into my head from a young age. Even now, she'd be more than pleased to see me with this man who was clearly some kind of businessman with a voice fit for a beast, all gruff and sexy. His existence in general seemed like it was constantly oozing a s*x appeal.

"At Salt and Pepper Café," he told me, "I'll see you tomorrow. How does 8:00 sound?"

"8:30," I countered, "I can't wait."

I've been here for less than a month and I'm already going on a date?

Mama would not be proud.