Hooking Him (How to Catch an Alpha #3)(7)

“Are you threatening an officer?” he asks, his right brow rising slightly.

“What?”

“You just threatened a police officer.”

“No.” I shake my head, then point at him. “I just threatened you, a man who spoke to me like I was a dog.”

“You already forgave me for that.” He grins and crosses his arms over his broad chest. “You can’t bring it up again.”

“I can do whatever I want.” Seriously, why does this guy make me want to scream and stomp my foot like a child who was told she can’t get what she wants from the candy aisle in the grocery store?

“So it’s true what they say about redheads.” His eyes drift over my hair, then my face.

Knowing exactly what he means, I lean slightly toward him. “You have no idea. So maybe you should take that into consideration before coming in here again.”

“Are you always crazy, or is it just me who brings out that quality in you?”

“I’m not crazy,” I deny, and he grins. “And don’t smile like that,” I demand, and he bites his bottom lip once more. “And don’t do that either. It’s annoying.”

“What is?”

“The whole lip-biting thing. It’s annoying. Stop doing it,” I demand, stomping my foot for emphasis.

“Stop being cute.”

“I’m not being cute,” I growl. Then I hiss, “Now tell me what you want, or leave.”

“Are you an option?”

“No.”

He smirks, then drops his gaze to the display case. “I’ll take three of the maple bars and one of the double chocolate chip brownies.” I grab a paper bag and quickly place each of the items inside. After folding over the top, I close it with the sticker I designed, of a cupcake with THE SWEET SPOT swirled into the pink-and-blue icing.

I place it on the counter in front of him, then ring up the purchase, pressing the buttons harder than necessary. “That will be twelve thirty-nine.” I tap my foot as he swipes his credit card, and once the transaction is approved, I wait for him to leave, but he doesn’t. Instead, he opens the bag, pulls out one of the maple bars, and takes a bite. I shouldn’t find him eating attractive, but there is something about the way his full lips and strong jaw look as he bites and chews that makes me want to lean across the counter to kiss him.

Damn, damn, damn.

“So tell me, Anna,” he says after swallowing. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“That is none of your business,” I say, enunciating each word.

“She’s not seeing anyone.”

I turn quickly to glare at Chrissie, who’s just appeared and is smiling widely, and then I transfer my glare to Gaston when he chuckles.

“Thanks,” Calvin says, and I hear humor in that one word. I turn to face him, keeping my glare in place.

“Aren’t you leaving?” I wave a hand toward the door.

“You’re not making me feel very welcome.”

“Because you’re not,” I bite out in frustration. I know I should be nice, especially with my boss standing feet away, but I don’t like that I’m attracted to him, and I really don’t like that I like the idea of him being attracted to me.

“Go out with me.”

“No.”

He casually shrugs one shoulder, then places the rest of the maple bar back into the bag and closes it. “All right. I’ll see you around.”

I don’t miss the warning, and my pulse skips when his eyes lock with mine and he licks his index finger, then his thumb. I try to think of something to say, but my brain seems to have short-circuited.

“Later, Anna,” he says to me; then he lifts his chin toward Chrissie and Gaston before he turns and walks away without another word. I stare at the door as he disappears through it, wondering what the heck I’ve just gotten myself into.

“Good Lord,” Chrissie breathes. “That man is seriously hot, and that whole licking thing . . .” I turn to catch her shaking her head. “I don’t even have words for what that was.”

“I’m standing right here,” Gaston says, glaring at his wife.

“I know.” She looks up at him, placing her hand on his chest, and his expression softens. “I’m just stating the obvious.” She turns her head to catch my eye. “Are you seriously not interested in going out with him?”

“I’m seriously not interested in going out with him,” I lie. I’m totally interested. I just know I shouldn’t be. Not yet.

Her nose scrunches. “Why on earth not?”

“Because.”

“Just because?”

“Yes, just because.” I know it’s lame, but it’s all I’ve got. Honestly, I have never been caught so off guard by a man before, and I’m pretty sure I just waved the proverbial white flag in front of him.

“Let this play out, babe,” Gaston says, capturing his wife’s attention. She looks up at him and opens her mouth like she’s going to argue, but he covers her lips with his thumb, cutting her off. “Let it play out.”

“Fine,” she mumbles against his finger; then her eyes come to me, and his finger drops away.

“Go have lunch with your husband,” I tell her before she can ask me the hundred questions I see in her eyes. “I’m good here and will be even better if you happen to stop somewhere on your way back and pick me up a burger with fries.”