TAMING THE BEAST: An Alpha Male Read Online Free Page A

stand out. He was tall enough that if he put his arms around her, his chin would easily rest on top of her head. She was short and curvy, with broad hips and quite a bit of booty, which had always done a good job in bringing the boys to her yard.
    They placed their order, and then went back to sit down. Chanise ordered a light, foamy cappuccino. Jake ordered black coffee. They also ordered a couple of pastries to share.
    “So,” Chanise said. “What else is there to know about you, outside of your sports career?”
    “What?” Jake asked. “You don't like talking about sports?”
    She shrugged. “I don't care for it. I think there's a lot of things in the world with far more value.”
    “You wouldn't say that if you saw my annual salary.” Jake winked at her.
    “See, there you go again.” Chanise waved a hand dismissively. “You always jump straight to bragging and chest thumping.”
    “Chest thumping?” Jake frowned at her. “Are you calling me an ape?”
    “Are you one?” Chanise asked, smirking at him.
    Jake chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “Sometimes, I guess. But I'm working on fixing that. That's why I'm in therapy, remember?”
    “I thought you were in therapy because your coach ordered it,” Chanise said. “And because you can't get taken off suspension until you're finished.”
    Jake scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, well, maybe that's how it started. But, I wasn't expecting to get anything out of it, you know? Now it's like...” He leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table and looking down into his coffee. “Now it's like I'm seeing a whole new side of things. And, I dunno, I guess that's a good thing.”
    Chanise smiled at him and reached over to touch his hand. “It is a good thing. It's a sign of personal growth.”
    “Yeah, well, whatever.” Jake pulled away, leaning back in his chair again. “I just hope it doesn't make me go soft.”
    “You keep confusing emotions with weakness. But confronting your emotions can be a source of strength.”
    “How?”
    “Because if you don't confront them, you let them have power over you. If all you ever do is bury your emotions and hide from them, then the darkness is winning. But if you can face what's inside, and work your way through it, then you end up a lot stronger than if you'd just run away and hide.”
    “I guess you're right.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Damn! You're so much like the doc. This is starting to feel more like a therapy session than a date.”
    “Sorry about that,” Chanise said. “I guess I got it from him.”
    “From working with him for so long?”
    “No. He's my father.”
    “Ohh.” Jake rubbed his chin, looking her over. “Wow! Okay. I see it now.”
    “See what?”
    “You've got his eyes. Except yours are lighter. More...gentle.”
    He leaned forward, staring deep into her eyes. “Like dark pools of wonder. I could spend all night staring into those eyes.”
    Chanise felt her face heating up. She cleared her throat and looked away, not sure how to respond to such flattery. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken to her in such a fashion. And as much as she had loved her husband, he had never been quite so...poetic.
    They chatted for more than an hour at the coffee shop, with Jake's flirtation becoming more and more bold as the coffee date went on. Chanise found her head spinning with all of the compliments. She wasn't used to getting this much attention from a man. It made her nervous, but at the same time, she found the attention flattering. And long after her coffee cup was empty, she found that she didn't quite want the date to end.
    But then, she remembered that her daughter was waiting for her to come home. She had promised they would spend some time together tonight. Chanise checked the time on her phone and let out a long sigh. “I really should get going,” she said.
    “Already?” Jake asked. He reached across the table and touched her hand. “But we're just