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

getting started. Can't you stay a little bit longer?”
    “I really shouldn't. My daughter is waiting for me.”
    “Aww, the kid will be fine.” He gave her fingers a squeeze, grinning at her. “I thought maybe we could go back to my place for dinner and drinks. What do you think?”
    “Back to your place?” Chanise asked with a frown. She pulled her hand away. “On a first date? What kind of girl do you think I am?”
    “Hey, now.” Jake spread his hands apologetically. “I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought we were having a good time.”
    “We were.” Chanise stood up, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “But not anymore. I guess I'll see you around.”
    She headed out the door. Jake got up and hurried after her. He followed her into the parking lot. “Chanise, wait.”
    “I told you, I need to go,” she said.
    “I know, but...”
    He grabbed her arm and spun her around, enveloping her in his strong arms. She held still, looking up at him. Being enclosed by his rock-solid arms made her feel small and vulnerable. It wasn't a feeling she was used to.
    “Come on, baby,” he said, reaching up to caress her cheek. “I know you were having a good time. And I know you want me.”
    “Is that so?” Chanise asked. She tried to keep an assertive tone of voice, but she felt her resolve weakening.
    “Nothing wrong with giving in to your desires,” Jake said, looking deep into her eyes.
    “There can be,” Chanise said. “Having a desire is one thing. Acting on it is something else.”
    “Are you afraid?”
    “Of you?” Chanise's eyes sparkled with amusement.
    “Of yourself,” Jake said. “Of us. Of letting go of whatever this wall is that you're trying to put up between us.”
    “Who says I'm putting up a wall?”
    “I can see it,” Jake smirked. “Your father keeps talking to me about bringing down the walls I've been using to hide from my emotions. And I think now maybe I can see the signs in you. You're afraid of being hurt.”
    “I've been hurt in the past.” She thought back to the loss of her husband. They had been married for less than a year. She had thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with him. She hadn't been prepared for his life to end so quickly.
    “You can trust me,” Jake said, leaning closer.
    “I don't know if I can.”
    “You can.”
    He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Chanise held herself stiff for a moment, not sure if she should give in to this desire. Jake was attractive, and she found herself drawn to him. But she wasn't sure if this is what she really needed in her life, or if she was just being foolish and giving in to a simple crush.
    But his lips felt so nice against hers. He started suckling on her lower lip, and she melted against him, slipping her arms around his neck. She held on to him while he kissed her, his hands gliding down her sides and caressing her ample hips. He squeezed her, and a soft moan slipped from her, betraying her desires.
    She pulled back, looking up at him, her eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty. “I need to go,” she whispered.
    “When will I see you again?”
    She tried to find her voice, fighting against her breathlessness. “I'll be in the office Thursday.”
    “No,” Jake said, holding her tighter. “I don't want to wait that long. Have dinner with me. Tomorrow night.”
    “I can't.”
    “Why not?”
    “I have my daughter.” Chanise looked away.
    “So, bring her along,” Jake said. “We can all have dinner together.”
    Chanise looked up at him, her lips pursed in amusement. “Really? You'd want me to bring my daughter along on our date?”
    “Hey, if that's what it takes to get you to have dinner with me, I'm all for it,” Jake smirked, a victorious look on his face.
    “All right,” Chanise said. “But you'd better be on your best behavior.” She jabbed a finger against his chest. “I don't need my daughter to see us getting up to any hanky-panky.”
    Jake laughed. “I