Hooking Him (How to Catch an Alpha #3)(17)

“What?” I say with a frown, confused by that statement.

He comes a step closer and leans into the counter with both hands. “I’ve never met a woman quicker than you are at putting up walls. You’re good, Anna. So good I bet no one ever gets in.”

“Don’t be a jerk.”

“You shouldn’t be surprised I’m calling you out on whatever game it is you’re playing, since one minute you’re sweet and vulnerable, and the next you’re sour and on guard.”

“I’m not playing a game.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“No? Then what are you doing? Why are you pushing me away?”

“I’m not pushing you away.” I shake my head like his statement is completely ridiculous . . . but it’s not. He’s right; I have been pushing him away, because it’s easier than acknowledging I like him, especially when I don’t know if I’m ready to like anyone.

“Then what are you doing, Anna?”

“I’m not doing anything, Calvin.”

“Lie.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Then explain to me why you’re so set on pushing me away.”

“I don’t know.” I toss my hands in the air, getting frustrated.

“You don’t know,” he repeats.

“When it comes to you, Calvin, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”

“And that scares you.” It’s a statement, not a question, and my back straightens.

“Don’t be absurd. I’m not scared,” I lie.

“Then what do you call it?” he asks, capturing my hand and startling me with his firm grip. “If you’re not scared of me, then what is it?” He coaxes me closer, causing my breath to turn choppy.

“Nothing,” I whisper, dropping my gaze to his lips, which are close—so close I know all I’d have to do to feel them against mine is lean in an inch.

“Do you want to kiss me, Anna?”

My stomach dips, and the word yes rests on the tip of my tongue as he runs his nose across mine, making my stomach dip and my toes curl.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispers.

Oh God, I want that too. I have never wanted to kiss someone more than I want to kiss him.

“Calvin . . .”

“I want to see you tonight.”

“Okay.” My eyes widen; I’m surprised that I’ve just agreed so easily when I’ve been so careful about sticking to my decision to not date. His pupils dilate as my heart starts to pound. “I mean—”

“Don’t take it back,” he rumbles, and then his lips brush mine softly, causing my eyes to slide closed as my breath catches in the back of my throat. I feel him pull away, and my lashes flutter open to find him watching me. “I don’t know what has you so scared of me, Anna, but if you have the ability to rescue a little girl from the ocean, you can face your fears regarding me. We’ll talk tonight. Over dinner, you can tell me about your life before you moved here, and maybe then we can figure out together what’s holding you back. And if you’re open to hearing it, I’ll share a little about my past. You’re not the only one who’s nervous about doing this, but I feel in my gut that it will be worth it.”

My stomach rolls with nausea at the idea of him knowing the kind of person I used to be, and the lengths I was willing to go to make my parents happy. If I ever told him about my past, he wouldn’t want anything to do with me. Maybe that’s the real reason I’ve been attempting to keep him at arm’s length. “Maybe we—”

“We’ll talk tonight.” He cuts me off before I can make up an excuse to postpone seeing him. “I’ll be at your place at six.” He steps back from the counter.

“I’m not sleeping with you,” I tell him firmly, even as my cheeks warm with embarrassment. “I can meet you somewhere.”

He grins. “Anna, get your mind out of the gutter. I’m bringing dinner. We’ll eat and talk, and hopefully you’ll be able to keep your hands to yourself so we’ll have a chance to get to know each other.” I press my lips together to keep from laughing, but still my lips twitch, and a look of pleasure fills his gaze. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

I drag in a breath, knowing I should say no. But when I open my mouth, “Okay” comes out again.

“Later, beautiful.” He turns to the door as it’s pushed open by Chrissie, with Gus right behind her. I study her goofy smile and wonder if she was standing out front with her nose pressed to the glass, watching our exchange. Knowing her, she was. There’s no way even her husband would be able to stop her from spying on Calvin and me.

“Are you leaving already?” she asks Calvin.

Gaston shakes his head. “Chrissie, baby, let the man go. You watched them kiss. They obviously don’t need your help.”

“I didn’t watch them kiss.” She gasps in outrage, spinning around to face her husband.

“Babe.”

“Don’t babe me.” She shoves his shoulder, then turns to Calvin, who’s watching the exchange and trying not to laugh. “I didn’t watch you kiss her.”

“She kissed me,” Calvin states, and I look at him and narrow my eyes.