Free Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin Page A

me before I even saw him move. I stepped away from him as a growl echoed through the darkness.
    The guys must have a dog out there. Some kind of really big and scary sounding dog.
    “Fine. It’s your funeral if anything happens. Come on, Cody. Let’s go.”
    Dastien turned back to me and sat next to my feet as if that little exchange hadn’t happened. “How was your day?” He smiled as he held out a hand.
    I laughed at his so very ordinary question. “It was okay, I guess.” I couldn’t figure this guy out. There was something different about him. He didn’t act like any other guy I’d ever met.
    I tried to tell myself that I took his offered hand because I was curious. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that for the first time that I was attracted to someone real. Movie stars and characters in novels didn’t count.
    His hand was so warm that I could feel his heat through my glove. When I settled down next to him, I thought he’d let go, but instead he laced his fingers through mine.
    I stared at our joined hands. Mine fit perfectly in his, and at once I felt completely relaxed, which never happened. Not around people. Especially not when someone was touching me.
    I was losing my mind. I had gloves on. That was the only reason that I could hold his hand.
    I searched for something to say. Something not stupid. “You said you went to St. Ailbe’s, but Mr. Dawson said you were taught there sometimes.”
    “Yup, graduated two years ago. I’m taking a year or so more before college to help out at the school.”
    “You don’t look like any teacher I’ve ever had.” I nearly slapped a hand over my mouth. I could not believe I’d just said that.
    He smiled. “Is that a good thing?”
    Whoa. Dangerous territory alert. This called for a major subject change. “You only have an accent sometimes.”
    “I’ve lived in the area for most of my life, but I was born in France.” He grinned at me. “And don’t think I didn’t notice the subject change.”
    It’s like he knew what I was thinking.
    I’d almost forgotten he was holding my hand until he squeezed it. The fact that he’d done that twice now—held my hand like he didn’t want to give it back—made me exceedingly happy. I had no idea what I was doing with this boy. Man. There would be plenty of time to freak out later. For now, I’d enjoy it. Him.
    “So you like books and Nine Inch Nails?” Dastien said.
    “Yes to both.”
    “And how about Texas?”
    “It might be growing on me.” Did I just say that? Someone needed to shoot me before I embarrassed myself any more. Flirting was so not my bag.
    He was quiet for a second. “Do you mind if I kiss you?”
    I laughed. “That’s kind of abrupt.”
    “I guess. Thing is I can’t concentrate on the conversation right now because all I’m thinking about is kissing you—”
    “What!”
    “It’s true. I could tell you things like you’re beautiful and have the most amazing eyes, but any guy could say the same thing.” He smiled. “You’re amazing—I mean judging by your T-shirts alone, I’d say we were on the same wavelength, but that doesn’t even come close to all of it. I feel this connection. It’s more than attraction, although that’s there, too. And I really, really want to get to know you, but there’s this thing hovering—this need. If we just got it out of the way, maybe it’d help. It might just make things worse, but you can’t blame me for trying.”
    My heart rate skyrocketed as he talked. He felt the connection too? “You’re a no bullshit kind of a guy, huh?”
    He shrugged. “I’m just honest. I don’t like to play games.” He paused. “So what do you say? Can I kiss you?”
    My hormones were screaming, Hell yes! Please, for the love of God, kiss me now! But I made myself think about it.
    A kiss could be disaster. Totally nightmare worthy. And yet, even though I didn’t know Dastien at all, I couldn’t ignore that connection either.
    All of a