Emily’s POV
The drive to the city was quiet, yet the sexual tension in the back seat of the SUV with Alex sitting next to me didn’t go unnoticed.
Alex was holding my hand and was silently playing with my fingers, leaving a trail of sparks everywhere his fingers touched. His intoxicating scent had wrapped me in something that felt like a blanket, creating my own cocoon and making me feel all fuzzy and warm inside.
This was heaven. I felt so relaxed and happy being with Alex.
Luke was driving, and he constantly glanced back in the rear mirror at us.
Was he checking up on us?
He had this cocky smirk on his lips, which made me feel like he was looking right through me.
What was he up to?
What did he know?
Why was he helping Alex?
Was it his duty to his Alpha or did it go deeper?
Luke took a turn-off just outside the city, and the board next to the road indicated that we were going to some warehouse.
“I thought you said we were having dinner in the city,” I asked.
“We are,” Alex said. “But we just need to make a quick stop.”
A few minutes later, a building similar to a barn came into view, and Luke stopped the SUV a couple of feet from the entrance.
The place was poorly lit, not that it bothered me; I could see well enough.
“He is here,” Luke said, getting out of the car.
“Make it quick!” Alex ordered, his jaw strained. “We are already late for our dinner appointment.”
Luke nodded, closed the door, and headed towards the back of the building.
I turned my attention to Alex, wondering what this was all about.
Will he let me in and tell me?
Yet Alex’s focus was outside, and he seemed to be on edge.
Was he afraid of something or someone?
Luke returned five minutes later. He looked like a man on a mission, with a black briefcase in his hand.
He headed to the back of the SUV and opened the trunk.
All my focus shifted to Luke, and I started watching his every move and odd behavior in the rear mirror.
Luke removed the carpet covering the spare wheel, removed the spare, and opened some secret compartments.
He entered a code and dropped the briefcase inside, then closed and covered everything up before he got back in the SUV and started driving off.
“What is that all about?” I asked Alex.
“Nothing that you should worry about,” Alex said, his eyes a beautiful silver color. He suddenly looked so relaxed and acted like whatever this was didn’t happen.
Should I trust him? He and Luke are acting suspiciously.
What were they hiding?
Fifteen minutes later, we entered the city. I had become a pile of nerves. I couldn’t help wondering what Luke and Alex were hiding.
“Give it a rest,” Willow said. “You are spoiling the good vibe!”
“Willow, don’t you understand?” I asked. “That place looked suspicious and dangerous. What if-”
“I think you are overthinking this,” she cut me off. “Ghost says it’s a surprise.”
“But-”
“Just don’t,” Willow snapped. “Everything Alex does might look suspicious, but it does not. Just trust him!”
“How can I?” I said. “I don’t know how! I am not sure if I should trust him.”
Willow sighed, shaking her head.
“Alex never did you wrong, Emily,” Willow said. “Why can’t you trust him? He has never hurt you. Just give him the benefit of the doubt, even if it is just for one night. Go and enjoy your time with him, and forget what you just saw.”
I didn’t argue with Willow further. I knew she was right.
“Very well,” I said. “I will try.”
“Good,” she said, becoming excited again. “Because we are here!”
I turned to see what Willow was talking about, and my eyes widened when I saw the huge building coming into view.
Luke brought the car to a stop in front of the most elite hotel in the city, and a velvet opened the passenger door.
Alex got out, went around, and opened the door for me. He held out his hand and helped me from the car.
I watched Luke drive off.
“He will be back later,” Alex said, putting his hand on the small of my back and steering me toward the entrance. “He has some business to attend to.”
I couldn’t help wondering what business Luke was attending to.
Was it something dark and illegal?
Who did Luke meet at that place?
My attention was interrupted when I entered the fancy building, and I couldn’t help gasping in awe at how stunning the inside was.
In the center of the foyer, a massive fountain stood with a statue of a woman pouring water into the ball. The walls and floors were covered in white marble, and everything was rounded off in gold.
When we eventually reached the dining area, my jaw felt sore from all the gawking.
The hotel was stunning, and I suddenly wondered how Alex managed to get a reservation so fast.
Alex said something to the host; she nodded, started giggling like a teenage girl, and her face went crimson.
Alex pulled me closer, and we followed the host to our table, yet even when the host noticed me, she ignored my existence and bubbled forth with Alex as if they were close friends.
“She only has eyes for Alex,” Willow growled. “If she keeps flirting with him, I will lose it!”
“Back off,” I ordered. “You will not take control-not while we are in a public place.”
Willow huffed, annoyed, sat down, and kept her eyes fixed on the host.
Alex went on like nothing happened. He pulled the chair out for me to sit on and helped me push the chair back to the table.
“Such a gentleman,” Willow mused, sounding a little more like herself.
“What kind of business deal is Luke attending to?” I asked when Alex took a seat at the table.
“Something small,” Alex said, smiling. His eyes glittered with amusement. “Why are you so worried? He is not doing anything illegal.”
Alex lay forward, taking my hand in his and rubbing his thumb or my hand.
“You can relax,” Alex said. “I will never deceive you.”
Then why was he ignoring the question?
****