Chapter 5

NICCO

I checked my watch impatiently.  Hope struck me as the type of girl that was early to everything and I hoped she was.  I valued promptness. 

I didn’t even know why I was doing this.  My wolf was thrilled but the businessman and Alpha in me knew that this was a really bad idea.  I was mated to a human and the sooner I rejected the mate bond the better it would be for my business and for my Pack.  I had heard stories of other Alphas being mated with humans and their Pack embracing the change.  Most of the time it worked out, the human Luna a meek head of the Pack.  Usually in those cases, the Beta’s wife was the one with the real power.  That wasn’t going to work for me.  My Pack was also part of my business, and I needed a partner that would be ruthless and know the games of the profession.  I sighed.  This was a really bad idea.  I should have just walked away.

Her black van pulled up, five minutes early and she slid out of the driver’s seat.  I could see that her hair was wet and that she was wearing clean leggings and a tank top.  She looked around, curiously, and then checked her phone for the address.

I gestured to Jenna, the owner of the business.  She was a thirty something, blonde Lycan who owed me a favor.  I had financed her business and waved a lot of the fees that are usually associated with taking out a loan from my pack, and in return she occasionally provided me services. 

Jenna opened the door and stuck her head out.  “Hope?” she asked with a huge grin.

“Yes?” she asked, more of a question than a statement.

“Come on in!  We’re expecting you!”  Jenna held the door wide open, and Hope tentatively walked in.  I could tell she was nervous, probably wondering what she had gotten herself into.  I saw her look at the ornate dresses on the wall and then down at herself, a look of discomfort on her face.  I stood up and she turned, seeing me for the first time.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” I said.  She smiled shyly. 

“I was intrigued,” she admitted.  I couldn’t help the smile that came to my lips.    

“Good,” I said, softly.  “I am, too.”  I walked over to her and lifted a strand of her wavy hair.  “Did I rush you?” I asked.  “Your hair is still wet.”

“No,” she said with a grin.  “I showered at the gym before coming here.  As someone so rudely pointed out earlier, I was very dirty.”

I chuckled softly.  She was sassy and I liked that.

“Jenna is going to be helping you pick out a dress for tonight,” I said.  “I will wait over there.”  I pointed to a few couches that were set up.  Vinnie was sprawled on one, checking his phone.  I sat on the other and picked up my laptop.  I wanted to take a look at that spreadsheet again.

Jenna gave Hope a perky grin and then looked her over.  “Size four?” she asked.  Hope nodded.

“Yes.”  She leaned in towards her and whispered.  “I’m on a budget.  Any chance there’s something here under a hundred dollars?”  Even though she was whispering, my wolf hearing heard it.  I looked up and caught Jenna’s eye, giving her a slight nod. 

She winked at me and then turned to Hope.  “Don’t worry about it, hun.  Nicco is covering it.”

Hope looked uncomfortable but didn’t argue.  I wondered what she was thinking. 

Hope followed Jenna back into the dressing area and I could hear them talking.   I ignored them and opened my laptop, pulling up the spreadsheet that has been driving me crazy.

After twenty minutes, the murmuring changed and then Jenna poked her head out of the curtain, a mischievous smile on her face.  “You’re going to love this,” she told me.  I closed my computer and stood up, my wolf at fever pitch.

With flourish, Jenna yanked back the curtains and Hope came out looking shy.  Jenna had dressed her in a royal blue sheath dress that was low cut in front, but high enough to be demure.  The material skimmed her body instead of clinging to it, accentuating her curves.  The straps were thin strands of crystals that looped over her shoulders.  The crystals were mirrored in the clip that Jenna had used to fasten her updo, leaving tendrils of chocolate colored waves to frame her face.  Her makeup was light and very natural, calling attention to her beautiful blue eyes that were currently fixed on my face, waiting for my approval.

“Doesn’t she look stunning?”  Jenna asked me pointedly.  I knew she thought I was being rude.  I couldn’t take my eyes off from Hope and I was literally speechless for a moment.

“Beautiful.” I said the word softly and Hope smiled at me, pleased.

“We’re done in here.  Just in time to make your reservation, I think,” Jenna said.  I didn’t move, just examined Hope, noticing the little details like her tiny earlobes and her long fingers.  I could feel myself getting aroused just looking at her.  I realized I wanted this woman.  I wanted her bad.

I forced myself to calm down and I went to her, extending my hand.  She took it and her fingers were cold.   Nerves.

“You have my card?” I asked Jenna.  She nodded. 

“I’ll send you an invoice in the mail,” she said.  I didn’t reply, just led the way out of the boutique.

“Thank you for all of this,” Hope whispered, looking up at me with her beautiful eyes.  I nodded.

“My pleasure.  I wasn’t sure you would have anything suitable for dinner tonight.”  I looked over at her van, knowing that she didn’t.  Vinnie had reported to me everything that was in it. 

“Shall I follow you to the restaurant?” she asked, opening the bag that Jenna had given her and fishing out her keys.  I put my hand on her arm.

“Your van will be safe here for the time being.  I’ll bring you back after dinner.”

She paused for a second and then nodded.  “Okay,” she agreed.  I was pleased.  I was worried that I was going to have to be firm with her.

Vinnie pulled up in an SUV, driving up on the curb.  I saw Hope’s eyes flash with amusement at his parking job, but she didn’t say anything.  I opened the door for her and helped her into the car.  The dress shifted and Hope’s leg peeked through the slit.  She had beautiful legs, and they were endless.  I had a vision of them wrapped around me and I swallowed, pushing down the thought.  I needed to control myself.

I ran around to the other side where Vinnie was waiting to open the door.  I slid in beside her, noting that she had already buckled her seatbelt and she was sitting primly with her ankles crossed.  The sandals that she was wearing were a work of art, crystals covering the straps.  She had gorgeous ankles, and I took a moment to admire them. 

“You like the shoes?” she asked, noticing where my attention was. 

“They’re beautiful,” I said.  So were her feet, but I felt that it was probably not the right time to say that stuff. 

“I’ve never had anything like this before,” she said, with a girlish grin.  “Thank you.”  She turned her ankle back and forth, admiring the sparkle.  “I don’t know when I’ll wear them again.  But they’re fun.”

I smiled at her, and she leaned back against the seat relaxing.  I took the moment to really study her.  Her dark brown hair was pulled up into a simple knot, and it looked like it was naturally wavy, but not curly.  She had delicate features but a strong jaw.  It was a unique combination and I really liked it.

She was also very tall.  I would guess at least six feet tall in her bare feet.  The sandals that Jenna put on her added a few inches to her height, but she was still below my 6’4 frame.  She was slightly built, though, and had a willowy strength and grace that I admired.

She turned to look out the window and I gave a small sigh.   I was intrigued by little miss Hope.   Joey had done some more digging and had so far come up with nothing more.  She had no social media and no credit history.  Her car registration was up to date and the van was registered to Hope Smith.  I was assuming that was an alias.  I was hoping dinner would shed some light on this mysterious woman.