Alpha Me Not Read Free Page A

good, and I love the area.”
    Jesus. She took the bus? Not on his watch.
    He’d managed to compile a fairly comprehensive dossier on Susan Elizabeth White and knew the answers to all the questions he’d asked, but the baseline of knowledge, his and hers, had to be established over dinner.
    “What’s your major?”
    “Nutrition.”
    “Did you transfer from another college?”
    They reached the entrance to Mama Maria’s.
    “No. I didn’t.” The terse, clipped answer didn’t invite further inquiry.
    Joe held the door open while she stepped inside. The denim fit her rump like a loving glove, and the ridge of a turquoise thong played peekaboo with the band of her jeans. He loved the new low-rise pants style, the sexy strip of skin where the tank and pants didn’t quite meet, the tantalizing glimpse of the top of her belly button.
    “This is charming,” she murmured, scooted over to the wall opposite a wooden bar sunk into a U-shaped alcove, and studied a tapestry depicting a boar hunting party circa the Middle Ages. “It looks like the real thing.”
    “It probably is. All the decorations and the furniture are from Italy. Mama’s uncles settled in Florida after World War II, and they brought over the rest of the family in stages. Each family member brought their possessions and when Mama opened the restaurant in 1984, they all donated various pieces.”
    “The restaurant’s been open for twenty years? That’s impressive. These days even neighborhood places don’t last longer than three to five years.”
    Mama Maria’s didn’t open officially until five o’clock, but the regulars knew the doors were unlocked at noon when Mama came back from the local farmer’s market. It wasn’t unusual to find half a dozen patrons playing dominoes or hearts at the tables opposite the big picture window long before the kitchen began serving dinner.
    Mama’s youngest great-grandson, Azzo, pushed through a swing door and greeted Joe with a quirked brow, a quick glance at Susan, and twitching lips. “ Buona sera . When did you get back, Joe?”
    “This morning.”
    “Why did Florida’s finest pay you a visit this afternoon?”
    Figured. He’d known the whole neighborhood would be abuzz with the news of the cops busting into his home not a few hours earlier. Joe shrugged. “Long story. Trust me. Not worth it.”
    Susie snorted, shot him a sidelong glance, and flashed him a saucy, crooked smile. “He’s right on the button on that one. So not worth it.”
    And damned if she didn’t fix her gaze on his crotch. Joe grinned as his cock rose to the occasion.
    A rosy hue dusted her throat, neck, and face, and she hastily focused on a spot above his shoulder.
    Jesus, he couldn’t wait to be inside her hot pussy. Focus. Think with his head, not his throbbing dick. He gave in to temptation, snuck his arm around her waist, and pulled her close.
    “Azzo, I’d like you to meet a new neighbor, Susan White. She’s house-sitting for Terri.” This close, her unique aroma cocooned him. She smelled intoxicating—like sunshine and citrus all rolled into a mind-blowing, cock-spewing orgasm waiting to happen.
    “Ah, the nutrition major. Didn’t Terri speak to you of us?” Azzo inserted himself between Joe and Susie and circled an arm around her shoulder. “The calorie measurer, yes? I must phone Mama right away. She’s so excited about this.”
    Joe glared at Azzo. The boy had recently become the model for several romance novel covers. His muscles boasted muscles.
    “Calorie measurer?” Joe shifted the chair so Susie could sit, and hip butted Azzo aside. “Have a seat, Susie.”
    “Nice to meet you, Azzo. Yes, I’m the calorie measurer.” She shook Azzo’s hand, set her purse on the table, and draped her jean jacket on the back of the chair before sitting. “Terri told Mama about my major. I’m to do an analysis of her dishes so she can list all the nutrients, calories, etcetera on the menu.”
    Joe took a seat