Free Alpha Mine (The Alpha Council Chronicles) by Brenda Sparks Page A

said the pilot as the rotors spun to life. Small swirls of dust danced like mini tornadoes on the tarmac outside. Stephan reached up and hit a button on the ceiling of the craft, creating a private channel on which she and her date could speak.
    Once in the air, he gestured out the window. Kat turned sideways to glance where he pointed. Stephan leaned his body against her back as he tapped on the glass.“Look, you don’t want to miss that view.”
    It was difficult to concentrate with him pressed against her, but somehow she managed, and it was definitely worth the struggle. The view of the Vegas strip mesmerized her. She’d seen an aerial shot of the strip at night on TV, but it didn’t compare to the buffet of colors that fed her vision tonight. Below them an ocean of gold flowed where red, orange and pink neon creatures flitted about the blue and green neon coral.
    As they flew, Stephan continued to describe points of interest. They flew over the Hoover Dam admiring the architecture and its grand scale. Lake Mead seemed smooth like blown sugar as they went by, the boats tucked neatly into its harbor for the night. With the hum of the rotor blades in the background, they listened to music in their headphones, lovely music. And she wondered if Stephan had specially chosen it for its romantic quality.
    They arrived at the Grand Canyon and followed the Colorado River as it snaked through until they came to a cascading waterfall. The helicopter descended into the canyon past the rust colored waves on the rocky walls. They touched down beside the base of the falls, where the falling water met the still river causing a white wake that crashed with a purring sound. Kat watched as the full moon’s reflection shimmered and shook in the ripples of the water.
    Once the rotors settled to a stop, Stephan handed Kat out of the helicopter, then grabbed a blue cooler and quilt from their hiding place in the chopper. He tucked her under his arm and escorted her to the falls. It felt natural, tucked up against his side. The smell of his cologne wafted on the breeze. She couldn’t help herself. She took a deep breath and knew she’d remember that delicious woodsy scent for the rest of her life.
    When the sound of whirling rotors caught Kat’s attention, she turned and watched the helicopter ascend. Her long blonde hair whipped around her in the wash from the blades. She looked back at Stephan whose own hair was tied neatly back in a leather thong at his neck. As she worked to gather her whipping hair Kat asked, “Where is the helicopter going? It’s not leaving us here, is it?”
    Stephan looked down at Kat, a mischievous smirk on his face. “Why so worried, Kitten? Are you afraid to be alone with me?”
    “I don’t know. You are a big bad vampire after all. Should I be afraid of you?” she teased.
    Suddenly serious, Stephan replied, “No, Katrina, you never have to worry. I would never hurt you. Never!”
    Kat watched as a flash of emotion crossed Stephan’s face. Could he have been hurt by what she said? She was only kidding. She knew she would be safe with him.
    “I feel safe with you, Stephan.”
    She knew him through Marcus, knew he was honorable, knew he would never hurt her, at least not physically.
    But emotionally was another issue.
    Being here with him, alone, made Kat’s heart race, not from fear, but from the strength of emotions running through her. She could fall hard for this man. And therefore, he could break her heart.
    “I hope you mean that. I would hate to think you were regretting coming out with me. The thought that you might be afraid to be with me is inordinate.”
    The sincerity in his voice stilled her feet. She looked up into his handsome face, easily reading his concern. “I’m not afraid to be with you,” she assured him, putting all the sincerity she could behind the statement.
    He paused for a moment, his eyes searching her face as if he could see into her mind. Her breath hitched as she