The Alpha's Search (The Craven Trilogy, #1) Read Free Page A

I'm late.”
    “I hope it was worth it.”
    “It wasn't.”
    “Hi, Jackie!” Candice shouted from behind her desk. I was pleased to see her back at work; I didn't want to be left alone in the shop again at lunch time. Why should I be worried? It wasn't as if my mystery man was likely to show up again. And even if he did, I had nothing to worry about. He'd rescued me—hadn't he?
    “Jackie, I took a message for you.” Candice held out a yellow post-it note.
    As usual, her writing was barely legible.
    I could make out '11.30am', but the rest was indecipherable. “What does it say?”
    “Cheeky sod.” Candice pouted. “What's wrong with my writing?”
    Sarah and I exchanged a knowing look.
    “You two must be blind. Here give it back.”
    Candice squinted at the note.
    “See!” Sarah laughed. “Even you can't read it.”
    “Of course I can... it says...”
    “Yes?”
    “You two are really mean. It says 'Mr Craven is coming in to see you at 11.30am'.”
    “Mr Craven? Who's he? Should I know him?”
    “He gave me the impression you did. He said he spoke to you yesterday lunchtime, but that he'd had to dash away.”
    My mystery man? It had to be him.
    “11.30?”
    “That's what he said. Is there a problem? Won't you be here then?”
    “No. No, it's okay. Thanks.”
    It was much busier than the previous day, so I didn't have time to dwell on my 11.30am appointment. At least both Sarah and Candice would be in the shop this time.
    From 11.20am, I couldn't tear my gaze from the door. A few minutes before 11.30am, a young couple approached my desk, but I passed them on to Sarah. At precisely 11.30am, the chime sounded as the door swung open. Craven looked across at me and smiled. My throat was dry, and my pulse began to race. As he made his way across the floor, I glanced left and then right to reassure myself that both Candice and Sarah were still there. They were both busy with other customers. Although I'd seen him on two previous occasions, this was the first chance I'd had to study the man. He was handsome—incredibly handsome. His physique was—how best to describe it? Solid? As he came closer, I felt a strange—what? Connection? There was something about the man that drew me to him like no other man I'd known. His gaze felt as though it could burn into my very soul. What the hell was wrong with me?
    “Hello again,” he said.
    “Hi there.” I barely managed to get the words out, and was forced to clear my throat. “Thank you for your help last night.”
    “I wish you had let me take you home.”
    “That wasn't necessary. I was fine. Please, take a seat.”
    “Thank you.” He smiled again. What was it about that smile?
    “What happened to those two guys last night?” I asked.
    “Nothing for you to worry about.”
    I had more questions, but bit my lip. The man had rescued me—he didn't deserve the third degree.
    “How can I help you?” I asked. “Are you still interested in visiting the States?”
    Ignoring my question, he said, “Where are you holidaying this year?” Craven shuffled forward on the seat. His hands were on the table—only inches from mine.
    “Me?”
    He nodded.
    “I haven't booked anything yet.”
    “Where did you go last year?”
    Dexter Travel employees received generous discounts on their package holidays. Even so, my finances were always stretched to the limit. I'd only managed a short break last year.
    “I went to France.”
    “Did you enjoy it?” He put his hand on mine.
    “What?” I gasped as what felt like an electric shock passed through my body. My instinct was to pull away, but my hand wouldn't respond. I looked to my left. Sarah was at her desk attending to a customer, but something wasn't right. It took a few seconds for me to realise what it was. No one was moving. I glanced to my right. The scene was the same. Everyone in the shop appeared to be frozen in time. This couldn't be happening. I closed and re-opened my eyes, but nothing had changed. Sarah's