The Island Of Alphas: A BBW Paranormal Romance Read Online Free Page A

definitely shifting to the side this time. Almost immediately, he looked at me again and gave me one of his sexy half-grins that I was fast becoming awfully fond of. "I'm sorry. I'm not explaining things very well. I've had an exceptionally long day, and I think my exhaustion is probably starting to show."
     
    Now I felt bad. He'd had a long day, had maybe even traveled through the night to get to the States for all I knew, and here I was asking him to explain natural phenomena in a lake that wasn't even located in the island village where he and his people lived.
     
    I gave him a little smile that I hoped expressed apology. "I understand completely. I'm starting to feel a little exhausted myself. I think my further questions about a lake I'll probably never even see, can definitely wait for another time."
     
    While we continued heading toward the airport, we made small talk, discussing things like the climate and weather of the island, what crops were grown there, and what animals were raised for food.
     
    With his coal gray eyes twinkling, Eric explained that they'd likely have most anything I liked to eat, unless I was very partial to hamburgers and steaks. "We raise pigs, chickens, and turkeys for food, but for some strange reason, cattle don't seem to do as well in an environment almost entirely made up of sand."
     
    I laughed, not at all surprised. "That's absolutely fine. As long as I get a breakfast involving bacon once in a while, I think I'll be pretty happy. And as far as dinners go, I usually prefer chicken or seafood over beef anyway."
     
    "Well, in terms of seafood, we'll have you completely covered. In fact, after a few months on the island, you'll probably never want to look at a lobster ever again. Except maybe to see one scurrying far away from you."  
     
    I laughed again, quite sure I could never get sick of lobster, one of my favorite foods.
     
    We continued our easy banter for the next half-hour or so, until we reached the airport, where I was soon to be shocked speechless.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
    Because Eric was obviously a man with extensive financial resources, I'd assumed we might be flying across the Pacific in first class on a commercial airliner before landing somewhere and taking a smaller plane over to the island. However, we were actually going to be taking a direct flight. A direct flight on a private jet more luxurious and opulent than any I'd ever seen pictures of, or had heard about, in my life. While Eric talked to the pilot, I strolled around the cream-and-gold decorated cabin, speechless, reminding myself not to leave my mouth hanging open like a complete rube.
     
    During the flight, Eric and I sipped aperitifs while relaxing on a couch upholstered in buttery-soft cream-colored leather. I had wine, and he had whiskey, neat, which for some reason I'd suspected might be his drink of choice. Probably just because, like him, the drink was straightforward, potent, and masculine.
     
    Once we'd finished our drinks, we moved to a mahogany table set with fine china and crystal.  A waiter impeccably dressed in black pants, a crisp white shirt, and a black tie served dinner to us. During the meal, Eric asked me a bit about my life and background, eventually moving on to my interests and hobbies.
     
    I told him how I'd always dabbled in art and that I loved to play tennis. "I even play on a competitive doubles league in the summer. Or...well, I did."
     
    "Why not anymore?"
     
    Uncomfortable, I busied myself cutting my chicken breast,  on my plate. "My former fiancé was my doubles partner, so I guess I'll have to find a new one now. We parted ways this past year."
     
    Trying to muster a smile, I looked up from my plate. "I suppose this probably isn't coming as a shock to you that I'm single, since you read the newspaper article. If I remember correctly, I think there was a line something to the effect of, 'Ms. Fowler, who sources have indicated is single after