The Alpha's Challenge

Ch.4 A Kept Woman

Emery

I was literally on top of her. Her forest rain swimming through my veins. She was so salty on the way here and back at her apartment, so sarcastic and sardonic. Yet, now looking up at me she looks innocent and tired, like life has beaten her down for her whole existence.

I couldn't stop myself from resting my lips on hers. To begin with she was frozen, but I just kept slow, her lips eventually melted into rhythm with mine. I tangle one of my hands in her silky hair and travel down her jaw to her neck. I smirk against her flesh feeling her body twitch beneath me.

That is till she shoves me off of her onto the floor.

I met the ground with a thud and groan as standing back up. She is sitting in the corner of the room on the ground, her knees hugged to her chest. Her eyes look lost in another time, frozen and wide, unblinking. She even is shaking ever so slightly.

I slowly move towards her and sit down in front of her.

"Gin, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I...I just got caught up in the heat of the moment."

She didn't respond, I hesitantly reach my hand to her and she curls closer to the wall.

"You f****d it up Emery. Now she's panicking."

I ignored Damon and kept my attention on Gin in front of me.

"Please say something Gin?"

Her body grows lax and her eyes soften meeting mine, a few tears slipping from her lower lids.

"I'm sorry, I'm being stupid. I should just thank you for your kindness and grin and bare it."

My eyes darken and brows knit. Where did that sarcastic, sassy girl go? Why was she demeaning herself like this?

"Gin, no. I shouldn't have kissed you, I knew better. Now listen to me, Never think you owe anyone anything. I would never expect you to hand yourself to me. Nor do I want you too, until your are comfortable with the idea of me."

She surprisingly leans forward and wraps her arms around me, her hands link around my neck and her face against my chest.

"You smell like apples and mahogany, it's nice."

I rest my hand on her back ever so slightly rubbing up and down while grinning at her comment.

"What would you like to do next Gin? We can go anywhere you want."

She looks up at me, smiling for I think the first time I've been around her.

"Coffee and lunch would be nice."

I meet her gaze and offer a small grin in return.

"Coffee and lunch it is."

I lift her to her feet and wipe away her tears with my thumb and then wrap my hand around hers and lead her back out to the truck.

I lift her inside then jump in and start the engine making my way back out to the main road, letting her watch out the window in silence.

"Im sorry, Gin. I don't want you to think I'm that kind of person."

She peers over at me, her gaze calm and serene.

"I know, if you were we would still be at that RV."

I relax knowing she doesn't think I would treat her like that, but her words don't make me feel much better.

I pull into a small diner on the outskirts of her town and lift her from the truck, ushering her inside.

"Table or Booth?"

The hostess asks as Gin offers her a polite smile, She replies booth and we both follow the woman, I sliding into one side and Gin the other.

The waitress arrives and we order our coffees. I observe as Gin hugs the mug in her hands and takes a deep whiff of its contents.

"I can't accept this." She pulls the keys to the RV from her pocket and pushes them across the table to me. "I have a place to live, a lease, and a job. I can't just up and leave, I have responsibilities.

I take a deep sip of my coffee and ignore the keys sitting between us, only meeting her emerald eyes.

"I took care of your lease, your belongings are being gathered as we speak, and I called the market this morning and told them you quit. The fridge is stocked and there is a new phone with my number pre saved in the cupboard above the kitchen sink. Call or text me whenever you need anything, I will take care of it. You don't owe me anything."

My eyes widen as she smacks her mug down on the table, anger dancing in her gaze.

"Who the f**k do you think you are?" I'm not your sugar baby or whatever they call it. I'm proud of what I've worked to earn. I'm sorry you think my lifestyle is so horrid."

I sigh deeply and Damon roll his eyes.

"It's nothing like that Gin. I'm just trying to protect you."

Her face grows stern and her eyes pierce me like daggers.

"Protect me from what? First of all, you don't know me, second of all, you're the only one I've met that makes me feel unsafe. Finally, I'm not yours to protect."

I chug my coffee, in attempts to dose the anger rising in me.

"Gin, I know this all seems insane. Please just trust me when I say I have no intentions other than to help you. It will all make sense soon, I promise."

I try my best to temper my voice but I can't help but feel like my words still came out short.

She breaks her eyes from mine and her features soften as she stays silent, twiddling her thumbs.

"Fine, since I'm now homeless, I'll take you up on your offer." She gathers the keys from the table and returns them to her pocket. "But, I have rules. You can't just come over uninvited and expect me to welcome you in, No more insane gifts, and lastly no more spontaneous actions of affection."

I smirk at her boldness and nod. I observe as she picks up the menu and flips it over endlessly with her brows creased.

"Hello, I'll be your waitress today, what can I get for you?"

Gin's eyes don't leave the menu.

"I'll take the meatloaf and mashed potatoes, she'll take the double cheeseburger and french fries."

I pull the menu from her hands and hand them over to the waitress who scurries away.

Gin's emerald eyes meet mine, confusion etching her face.

"Are you stalking me?"