Kiss Of The Alpha : A YA Paranormal Romance Chapter 2

Heather

"Aren’t you curious? Even a little?"

I thought about it. "Well, I wasn’t..."

West sat up so quickly that I almost fell off the bed. "You have to go downstairs, to Dad’s office, and touch so of those papers from St. Francis’s."

"That’s a terrible idea." Going downstairs during a party where people might actually want to hug good-bye was a disaster waiting to happen.

Add ssing around in Dad’s office, and I’d be begging for a grounding. Only a moron would agree to this.

"Co on." He gave the look-that cocky, half-grin that told I was about to get into trouble. "We’ll go downstairs, sneak a glass of champagne, you can get an eye-full of Sir Hunkalot, and then we can find out the real story on this move. We’ll be sneaky, and no one will see us." He paused. "I didn’t want to have to say this, but I double-dog dare you."

I couldn’t stop the grin. "What are you? Twelve?"

"What are you? Forty?" He poked . "Live a little. You’ve gotta start having so fun, Haze."

I wouldn’t mind seeing Sir Hunkalot. I snickered at the na. Plus, whatever we did had to be more entertaining than bouncing a ball against the wall.

"Fine. But if I do this, then you’ve got to do sothing for ."

West crossed his arms. "Na it."

I could never think of anything good enough on the spot and he knew it. Then it ca to , and an evil grin spread across my face. "No chicharones on the road trip." I almost patted myself on the back.

Fried pork skins were sothing that I couldn’t stomach. Even if both he and my mom swore they were positively delectable.

His mouth dropped open. "What! You’re talking about ssing with a road trip tradition. That’s sacred stuff."

I crossed my arms. "They’re disgusting."

"You’ve never even tried them." He narrowed his gaze. "They’re delicious."

"I don’t need to try them to know I won’t like them. Eating pig skin in any form is revolting." I stared him down. "And they stink." It might not seem like a big deal, but on a road trip halfway across the country, it was huge.

Multiple bags could be avoided. Two days of a chicharone-free car ride was more than adequate reparation for one vision. "Do we have a deal?"

He left my room.

Great. Now I actually wanted the deal, and he was bailing. I wouldn’t give in. If I knew my brother at all, he’d be back in ten, nine, eight, seven—

"Just kidding." He appeared back in the doorway.

"Let’s do this."

I started out the door and then ran back. I’d only left a few pairs of gloves unpacked. I grabbed the heather gray cotton pair and slid them on, doing up the apple buttons along the forearm as I walked into the hallway.

I would’ve changed, but there was nothing nicer for to put on. My jeans, white peasant blouse, and leather flip-flops would have to do. "Ready?"

He nodded.

I only had a second to think about how much fun using my visions for sothing useful would be before I hit the bottom stair and stopped.

This had to be a fire code violation.

A few people clogged the bottom of the stairwell that emptied into the living room. The party planner must’ve taken out so of the furniture to make room, but there was still not enough.

There were people in every square foot available, and—except for the few actors who everyone would recognize—I didn’t actually know anyone.

Waiters dressed in black pants and white button downs made their way slowly through the room, offering up hors d’oeuvres or drinks, depending on what their silver platters held.

Speakers stood in the corners of the room, playing non-intrusive electronic music with a steady beat but I didn’t spot the DJ. He had to be set up outside by the pool.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and entered the madness. It wasn’t long before I heard Dad’s voice above the din. "There she is!"

So much for no one seeing us. I wanted to hit West. So I did.

Dad shook his head at . "Co here, Heather," Dad mouthed.

His blonde hair hid most of the gray that had started appearing a few years ago. I always wished I had his blue eyes, but got my mom’s brown ones instead. He was wearing a tailored navy suit, and I suddenly felt way underdressed.

I brushed against soone and their jealousy burned through my mind. I shook it off and focused in on Dad. He was watching my careful navigation through the crowd with worry.

Dad knew about my "gift," but chose to ignore it for the most part. Luckily Mom understood it more, most because my abuela had the sa one.

She always said it made it really hard to be a rebellious teenager when her mother could read her mind. I’d say actually having the abilities made it hard to be a teenager. Period.

Dad pulled to his side, and I tucked close to him to avoid any touchy people. I got a few flashes from him, but thankfully nothing that drew in.

"We’re so sad your dad’s leaving us," said so lady in a super-tight dress. "What are you going to do in Texas?"

I shrugged. "Eat a lot of bar-b-que and go to school?"

She laughed and her fake boobs nearly popped out. I looked for my brother. He was flirting with so young girl who looked way too skinny. Must be an actress. "Help," I mouthed as soon as I got his attention.

He made his way through the sea of people. I tuned the lady out as West grabbed my gloved hand. "Heath- ER," he practically shouted, drawing my short na into two long syllables. "There’s soone over here I want you to et."

Dad’s hand brushed my arm as West pulled away.

Dad was talking to his boss, a silver-haired man in a slick suit. His tie was a little undone.

"Jesus, John. Are you serious?"

"I wish I was joking." Dad sat heavily on the couch across the room from his boss. "I know I’m leaving soon, but this is a lawsuit waiting to happen. She’s a liability. You need to get rid of her."

Whoa drama.

I nearly cracked up at the look on Dad’s face as he held onto my hand. He definitely didn’t want to be talking to this lady. I almost felt bad leaving him with her. Almost. "Oh, fantastic," I said to West, my voice so thick with sarcasm that Dad laughed. "I can’t wait to et this person."

Before I could get away, tight dress lady smothered with a hug. Her hand brushed the top of my arm.

I hadn’t been to Dad’s office in a while, but I recognized it—the wall of glass behind his desk with an amazing view of the city. She was in his chair. In black lace lingerie.

Dad walked into the room and she stood up.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Dad yelled as he spun around. "I’m giving you five minutes to get dressed and get out of my office. When I get back, you better be fucking gone."

West tugged away from her and the onslaught stopped. He brilliantly played it off as tripping, glancing at nothing on the hardwood floor and cursing. "I’m sooo sorry. Lost my balance there for a second. Must be sothing spilled here." He didn’t give her a chance to say anything before he started walking away, towing with him.

Holy shit. Did I just see what I thought I saw?