Read Alpha Me Not for Free Online Page B

the bed.
    “Susie?” Joe poked his head through the now-open doorway. “Thought you might like a shot of brandy.”
    “Tea?” she asked hopefully.
    “Tea?” He wrinkled his nose, and the white creases bracketing his eyes became more prominent. “Doubt it, but I’ll check the pantry.”
    “Don’t go to the trouble, Joe. I’m dead on my feet anyway.”
    “’Kay. Good night then. If you think of anything or need anything just yell. I’m a light sleeper.”
    “I’m fine. But thanks for the offer.”
    The old-fashioned alarm clock on the bedside table registered one thirty when she slid under the covers and turned off the lamp. Pulling the blanket up to her chin, Susie stared at the ceiling, and the faucet she’d clamped shut since the fire blew open.
    She had nowhere to live. A savings account of less than fifteen hundred dollars. The first and last month’s rent she’d paid were a total write-off. Everything she owned was gone.
    Poof!
    Vanished!
    All the silly memories that marked a life. The diamond earrings her brother-in-law, Mike, had surprised her with last birthday. The cashmere sweater Mama’d given her for Christmas. The tall boat her brother, Gray, had carved for her thirteenth birthday. The silver locket Papa’d given her for first communion.
    All gone.
    Susie didn’t even realize she was crying until a hot tear plopped onto her chest. Gritting her teeth, she willed the weak tears back. Crying wouldn’t help a whit.
    Better to count her blessings.
    She was alive.
    If Joe hadn’t knocked on her door and bugged her into going out for dinner, she would’ve been in the cottage when it exploded.
    She jerked to a sitting position. She could’ve died tonight. Kicked the bucket at the ripe old age of twenty-five.
    Gone to her maker a freaking virgin. What the heck was she waiting for? What had she saved it for anyway? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t had the opportunity to make love.
    But like the rest of her dumb-ass virgin friends, she’d wanted it to be with someone special. Wanted it to mean something.
    But that was before. Before she’d heard good ole Ken Laroque boasting to the entire community college football team that he’d nail her on graduation night. They’d been dating for two months, and she had been hopelessly enthralled with Kenny, fancied herself in love, and believed he felt the same way about her.
    She snorted.
    Pipe dreams.
    Living in the small town of Chabegawn meant if you farted, everyone knew about the stinky air and discussed the intensity at length. So she’d bided her time, bearing the burden of her unwanted virginity until the day she’d left Chabegawn for good two weeks ago.
    Susie tossed the covers and jumped off the bed. She paced a tight circle in front of the dresser.
    No way would she die a virgin.
    And it wasn’t as if she and Joe were going to be neighbors anymore. She glanced at the door. The dorm she’d stayed in was virtually empty, and the dorm master had told her that it would likely remain that way for the coming summer semester.
    Joe had certainly indicated his interest in her.
    And from the minute she’d set eyes on him—well, okay, from the second time she’d set eyes on him, he’d had her juices flowing.
    One night.
    She’d move out tomorrow, and they’d never have to see each other again.
    Glancing down at the wifebeater she’d bought earlier, she debated changing. The skimpy tank showed enough skin to warrant a sexy label.
    No.
    No way was she going to overanalyze the situation. Lifting her chin, she marched to the door, yanked it open, and glided down the hallway.
    His bedroom was on the other side of the kitchen; he’d gestured to it earlier. Her throat went dry when she passed the gas range. Her stomach did this clench-and-jerk spasm a few feet before the dark recesses of a door.
    She stumbled and jammed a hand to the wall. Was she really going to do it?
    Damn right, she was. No way was she dying a virgin.
    The door wasn’t shut all the