Reading Lara (#3)

Chapter 5

Alpha Maddox Teller-

I watch as she walks out the door. I know I've done something to upset her, but I don't know how. Since I've marked her, I can feel when she's experiencing any pain, fear, anger, or hurt and vice versa. It's a useful tool for knowing when you're mate is in trouble.

My upcoming meeting will only take about twenty minutes to discuss and then I'm heading to Lara's house. I know it's still early, but I need to know what's going on in her head.

* * *

I sigh and look at the men sitting at the conference room table. I need to get out of here. I can feel a headache forming just from sitting here.

"What do you suppose I do, then? Move my pack members? These are happy families we're talking about here," Alpha Jackson Moore of the Moonlight Path Pack stresses a few chairs away. He's having trouble with his younger pack members finding their mates.

Both Lennon and I are hoping to get this matter resolved quickly. Knowing I have a minute, I text my driver, Hank, and ask him to pick up Lara for our date a little earlier than discussed.

Before I know it, almost all six men at the table are arguing fiercely. Tired of hearing it, I slam my fist down on the table and stand up, causing my chair to fall back onto the floor. All six heads turn to me.

Now, I've got their attention.

I look towards Alpha Jackson. "Gather up all your unmatched pack members and send them here in two weeks. I'll arrange a ceremony and we'll go from there," I tell him.

He nods. "Thank you. Much appreciated."

I hear a knock on the door. I turn my gaze up to see Hank at the door. I nod and he leaves. I look back at the table. "If you guys are finished arguing, this meeting is over. See you all at the ceremony in two weeks," I dismiss them.

I walk out the door. There, at the row of chairs, is Lara. She's dressed in a tight, red dress with black heels that make her legs appear a mile long. The strapless dress makes her t**s pop and accentuates her curves.

Fuck, I'm in trouble.

I drift my eyes further up to find that her hair has lost some of its curls and has been transformed into waves. Her grey orbs are surrounded by eyeliner and mascara.

"Maddox," she says, but I can only open and close my mouth repeatedly. She giggles when I lift my eyes to hers and place a hand against my mouth.

"What is it?"

"Just...uhm...fuck. Jesus, you look amazing," I blurt out, stuttering like an i***t.

"Thank you," she replies shyly.

Fuck, she's cute.

I don't hesitate in walking towards her. I slam my lips to hers, plunging my tongue into her mouth. Her taste of cinnamon hits my tongue and I groan.

She is the first to break away. Her breathing is heavy, her chest heaving. I lean my forehead against hers and ask, "You ready to go?"

She nods. I peck her lips once more before walking to the conference room. Everyone has cleared out now, so the room is empty. I grab the matching jacket to my suit off the chair at the head of the table. I slip it on and make sure my cufflinks are in place.

I find Lara in the waiting room between my office and the conference room. She's looking at old family photos from pack members. One, in particular, seems to have caught her eye.

I come up behind her. "Lara?"

She spins around. "Hi."

I smile. "Hi. Ready?" I ask. I hold out my hand to her and she takes it. I squeeze her fingers once before leading her through the pack house. I try to force the image of tears swimming in her eyes out of my head.

At the car, I open the passenger door for her and she steps in. I, too, get in and put my seatbelt on before turning the ignition.

"So, where are we going?" Lara questions once we're on the highway.

"Well, I could confess to you, but then I'd have to kill you."

She gasps. "But...but I thought I was cute. Cute people can't be killed," she exclaims, pretending to be freaking out.

I laugh and place my hand on her thigh. "I have to admit, you are pretty cute. On the more serious note, I'm taking you to this restaurant that just opened about a mile from here. It's something new and different."

She is silent, so I glance over at her. Her eyes are on me. "What?"

"Thank you for this. No one has ever done anything like this for me. Thank you," she says sincerely.

"Well, I would get used to it, because I plan to spoil you rotten," I tease her.

About ten minutes later, we arrive at the restaurant. I open Lara's door and take her hand. At the entrance, a woman glances up from the computer she's working at.

"Welcome to Lorenzo's. Do you have a reservation?" She greets us.

"Yes. It's under the name Teller," I respond. She escorts us to a table in the back. Lara and I take our seat across from each other. We're both scanning over the menu when I hear her gasp. I look up to see her staring out the window next to our table.

"What is it?" I ask worriedly.

"It's so beautiful," she says, gesturing to the mountain view.

"Yeah, it is," I agree, but my eyes are only for her. The Rocky Mountains are nothing compared to her beauty.

She sees that my eyes are on her and she blushes. The waitress comes back to take our order. Lara decides on Grilled Chicken Alfredo and I take my chance and order oysters with scallops.

The table is quiet. Sparking a conversation, I say, "So, tell me about Lara."

She takes a drink from her white wine. "What would you like to know?"

"Everything, but I'll stick with taking turns. Why did you run off on me earlier?" I ask first, breaking the ice.

She hesitates. "Uhm...I thought you were canceling our date," she admits, surprising the f**k out of me.

"Why would you think that?"

"You said you had a meeting. I guess it was just force of habit. I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I keep thinking you're going to treat me like Marcus did. Lead me on, then decide you don't want me."

I take her hand in mine. "Lara, look at me." She does as I say. "I would never lead you on like that. I promise you."

And to lighten the mood, I stick out my pinky. "I pinky promise." She bursts out laughing and curls her finger around mine. I stretch across the table and peck her lips.

"Your turn," I say against them. She smiles. I kiss her once more before pulling away.

"Come on. Hit me," I encourage her, making her giggle.

"Okay. So, siblings? Got any of them?"

"Yes. Two sisters and a brother. Jasmine and I are the only set of twins. I was born first. After us is Mayson and Jewel. What about you?"

"It's just my sister, Zara, and I. After our parents died, we were both kind of lost. Zara lives in Montana now with Leo and their pups."

"I'm sorry for your loss. What happened?"

"That's a story for another day, but...favorite color?"

My response is instantaneous. "Grey, like your eyes. It reminds me of smoke."

"Really? You are trying to butter me up and spoil me. Your turn."

"Definitely. What did you mean in the car? About nobody ever doing something like this for you?" I ask her. I need my suspicions confirmed that Marcus didn't treat her right.

"Marcus was my first real boyfriend. He didn't really make an effort. I realize that now. I think he does, too. That's why he wants me back."

"He hurt you." It's not a question, but her response makes me want to castrate him.

"Yes. I know now that I didn't love him."

"Well, at least you know that for sure. Gives me a huge advantage."