Free Alpha Lion: BBW Lion Shifter Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant Page A

and we don't have each other’s numbers. Hold on.”
    They exchanged phone numbers, and he told her, “If you have any problems at work, even if you feel afraid, if you’re not sure if someone’s there, please call me. I’ll come at any time of the night.”
    “You do have to sleep,” she pointed out.
    “I would much, much rather help you feel safe than sleep,” Dale said with complete honesty.
    “Well, I appreciate that,” said Sam, “but from what I’ve heard, you work too hard already.”
    “The pride needs me,” said Dale. “I’m not going to neglect my responsibilities.”
    “Of course not,” said Sam. “But the pride’s not going to fall apart if you take a break once in a while, is it?”
    “No,” he admitted, smiling at her. “And there are definitely some things that are worth taking breaks for. Which is why you should call me anytime you need me.”
    “...that’s not quite what I meant,” Sam said, but she was smiling too, and she let him pull her into his arms and kiss that smile until they were both breathless.
    She just tasted so good, Dale thought, cupping her cheek in one hand as he kissed her deeply.
    His other hand slid down her body to her hip, and then around to the generous curve of her behind. He loved how she felt under his hands.
    She moaned sweetly into his mouth, and he murmured, “Up for round two?”
    She pulled back and blinked up at him. “Already? Are you...up for it?” She glanced down.
    “Believe me,” he said, “that’s not going to be a problem.” He was half-hard already. “And even if it were too soon, I can do a lot with my fingers and my tongue.”
    “I remember,” she said, shivering. “But I don’t want to be selfish.”
    “Letting me give you an orgasm or three is the opposite of selfish,” he assured her, sliding his other hand down to join the first. “Ready?”
    “For what?” she asked, and then squeaked as he easily lifted her up.
    “I could get used to this, wow,” she said, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bedroom.
    “I hope you will,” he said, and laid her down on the bed.
    * * *
    Sam went to work on Friday night with the lightest heart she’d had since she was laid off.
    She’d stayed at Dale’s until nearly three in the morning—he’d drifted off after they’d made love the second time, and she’d enjoyed lying together with him in his bed while he slept, the dim light from the hall illuminating his gorgeous face and the long planes of his muscled body.
    But eventually she’d had to get up and clean herself up a bit, and when she’d come back he’d been sitting up in bed, blinking sleepily. His hair had been wildly mussed, and he’d reminded her so much of a lion in that moment that she’d almost giggled.
    Not that it was funny, it was just...charming.
    He’d wanted to stay up with her until he had to leave for work and she had to go to bed, but she’d insisted on going home and letting him sleep. He’d gotten up anyway, to drive her, which she hoped hadn’t defeated the purpose.
    She’d promised to meet him for breakfast-slash-dinner after she got off of work this morning, and she’d gone to bed with a smile on her face—after practicing all the moves Lynn and Dale had taught her about a hundred times.
    And now she was at work, and it was still cold and lonely standing out here all night, but it was so, so much better than it had been a few days ago. And she had thoughts of Dale (and his hands, and his mouth, and his... ahem ) to keep her warm.
    She was still a little nervous about her shift, but it went just fine—a couple of times people passed by her station, but no one gave her more than a glance or a nod, and she clocked off at six with a sense of relief.
    Dale had offered to come meet her when he was finished his run and walk her to breakfast, but she’d pointed out that he’d be all sweaty from running, and she’d be in her security guard’s uniform. She was going to go