The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl

(Chapter song ‘Lights’ by Ellie Goulding, ‘Center Balancing' by Massage Tribe, ‘Breathe’ by Prodigy)

SAMMY

Pushing everything out of my mind for the last couple of days, I actually worked quite peacefully.

Bastian has been spending all of his time at the Unit, so I didn't have him hanging around which was great. As the days go on, he's become quite the distraction. He keeps hounding and nit picking. I knew this would happen, I just didn’t want to believe it.

I think I’m going to have to have a talk with him if this thing between us is going to work.

For now, I’ve been taking Dr. Rennet’s advice. I’ve been going on walks and trying some new things that Dylan helps me with.

Today, I’m doing something fun.

Dylan told me that the staff get to use the pool on Fridays in the afternoon, so that’s what I’m doing. I changed into my black string bikini and walked out with Dylan and Eric to join the rest of the staff members.

As we approach the wide sliding doors, the pool and everyone in it comes into view. There’s quite a few people out there on the patios. They’re talking, laughing and splashes rise high as people dive in.

The pool is huge and kidney shaped. It’s trimmed with rock. There's a spa with a waterfall and another waterfall rock wall at the end of it. The water is heated to the best temperature. It's so good for relaxing after work.

“CANNONBALL!” Eric yells and jumps off the edge as everyone around us squeals and laughs. The water spout he created splashes down on all of us.

I drop my towel, walk to the edge and jump off the side. My body hits the water and I’m surrounded with a cloud of white bubbles as I dive down and swim back up.

Dylan jumps in beside me and we both breach the surface. He shakes his head and splashes water at me. I laugh and splash him back.

Nigel and Anton are relaxing on lounge chairs with beers. I wave to them. “Come on!”

Nigel runs his fingers through his hair. “And ruin this 80 dollar hair cut? No, thanks.” He smirks and clicks his beer with Anton.

There’s music playing, people are all over the pool deck and the water is rocking with people playing around in the water. It's actually quite the get together.

I had just popped up and was squeezing the water out of my hair when a deep voice barked across the pool.

"Hey!"

I spin around and Bastian is at the edge of the pool. He walks to the edge and squats down. He squints in the sun and it makes him look annoyed. Does anything make this guy look happy?

"Hi!" I chirp as I wipe the water off my face.

He arches a brow and crooks a finger at me. "Come here, now."

Nigel sits up. "Bastian..."

Bastian raises a hand to him, but still locks with my eye. Judging from the look he just gave me, I don’t think it's a trick of the light. "Come. Here." He enunciates as he points to the deck.

I cinch my brows and swim over to the edge of the pool. I feel like I'm a kid in trouble.

He leans his forearms on his knees, looks around at his staff, then meets my eyes. "What are you doing?" He says under his breath as he motions a hand to me.

"Swimming?" I answer.

He scrubs his face. "You're practically naked. Get out." He demands quietly.

"What? No. Bastian..."

He raises his finger to me. "Get out." He growls and his stare becomes even more intense. His Alpha tone has me compelled to climb out of the pool.

He reaches a hand out to Nigel, who tosses a large towel at him. As I drip on the deck and cover myself, he wraps it around me. I take it and cover my lips.

He leans to my eyes and points to my nose. "You will not parade around this house like that. Definitely not in front of unmated wolves."

I pull the towel down and glare. "Hang on! You can't talk to..." I start to protest.

He presses his finger to my lips which is really starting to get irritating. "I'm the Alpha of this house. And if I say, no bikinis, I mean no bikinis. Am I clear?" He removes his finger and crosses his arms.

"No. I'm not..."

"Am I clear?! " He grits as his eyes flare.

I narrow my eyes as I feel his Alpha again. "Fine." I turn and stomp into the house.

Now, he’s compelling me? This is a new low. Once I fight off the humiliation of being singled out in a crowd of people, we're getting quite a few things straight.

I steam as I walk through the halls and to the staff stairs. Bastian follows me and I don’t look back at him at all. As I climb the stairs, the towel falls off my shoulders.

"Stop. What's that?” He points to my back and I look over my shoulder.

“What's what?" PI pull up the towel and hope he’s not talking about what I think he’s talking about.

"This." He gets close and pulls the towel down. My eyes close and I slightly lower my head. I’m nowhere near ready to have this conversation with him. He touches my shoulder blade and it instantly sends spikes of heat through me and not the good kind. It kind of felt like it burned.

I wince then turn on the stairs, covering myself up as much as I can. "It's nothing. Just an injury I got when I was kid.”

"Wolves don't scar unless it was pretty bad.” He studies my eyes. “That’s a bite mark, Sam.”

"It's nothing. I'm going to go change." I leave him at the bottom of the stairs as I stomp up them.

So much for my stress free life. I can see living here is going to be the opposite of that. Not only is he demanding, possessive and a genuine jerk, he’s nosy. His prying is going to get me in trouble.

I need to show him that the last person he can just walk all over is me.

****

BASTIAN

Alright. I may have crossed a line at the pool. But I couldn't help it. When I saw Sam in that tiny black bikini, my wolf went insane. I wanted to rip the eyeballs out of every male there.

I had to shut her down before I ended up doing something even more stupid than I already did.

I know I had no business talking to her like that. I shouldn’t have pulled my Alpha out on her. I’m nowhere near like that. I’ve always appreciated a nice body in a bikini. But when it comes to Sammy, it feels wrong and this desire to protect her just threw up all over the pool. Now, I look like a controlling asshole. I need to get this together.

I know she's not mine, but everyday, my wolf floods me with feelings that say she should be.

These emotions that I’ve been having lately are also the reason I made sure she got the room with the private bathroom. I had to pay the head chef double the weeks' pay to get him to move out. He wasn't happy. I'm also on the hook to have a bathroom installed in his room so he doesn't quit on me.

I just can’t stand the thought of unmated wolves eyeing her goods.

Sammy is special. I feel some inner connection building even though were not together. I just hope I haven't pissed her off too much.

Since the incident with the pool, she's been avoiding me all week. She locks herself in her office and walks the other way when she sees me coming. Then she traps herself either in her room or the ballroom.

It's starting to really get on my nerves. I think my wolf is trying to control me and this is why I keep fucking up with her. If anything, I need to get this bastard in my chest back under control and grounded like he should be.

There’s only one way I can do that to ground us both and gain better clarity. It’s something that I haven’t been doing for months and I better get back on it.

After my wolf run, I decide to hit the training room. I'm not a massive fighter like other Alphas at the Unit. I’m large enough and strong enough to hold my own, but I like more disciplined style of fighting.

I focus on breathing through my nose as I raise my arms parallel to each out. I bend my knees with legs spread wide. I twist them into a lunge as my arms come slowly down to the side.

The Zen music fills the room and my mind as I perform the ancient art of Tai Chi.

I bring my hand and fist together as I slide a foot in a half circle around me and bring it back. I turn lift my leg and reach an arm out. I raise the other above my head as I bring my leg back down and turn. I slowly swing an arm out and turn my body to the left.

I perform move after move. I feel my body and mind come together and my focused movements calm my wolf.

I extend a leg and spin it around 180 degrees. I stand and put my hands together with my head bowed. My breathing is steady and controlled. I absorb the feeling of being back in control.

I was about to run through it all again until my nose caught a scent.

I want to spin around and smile, but I had just got done ending that part of me. I need to hold on to it no matter how good she smells.

I turn around and flick my eyes to her. “What do you want?”

She takes a few steps inside and her high heels click on the polished wood training floor. "Nigel told me where to find you." She speaks quietly and I think the atmosphere of the room is helping both of us stay calm.

"Oh, yeah? Well, you found me." I walk to my towel and water. I'm covered in sweat and my muscles tingle. It’s not a big workout, but holding movements at a slow, steady place, does work up a sweat.

I kind of smirk when I see her eyeing my abs. I know what she’s thinking. I pull my shirt over my head and fix my hair. The baby doll likes what she sees.

She takes a couple steps closer. "Where did you learn to do that?" She motions to the floor as her doe eyes find mine.

I drink from my bottle and put the cap on. "We had a Japanese chef here while I was growing up. He taught me. He said it would keep me from getting into trouble."

"Did it?" She takes a few steps closer. "Keep you out of trouble?"

"I wasn't horrible, if that's what you mean. But I was a kid with a lot of toys so, of course, I got in trouble." I chuckle. "Was there something you needed?"

I wipe the sweat off my face and drop my towel into my work out bag.

"Yes, actually." She stood a few feet from me with her arms crossed. "I want to have a talk about ground rules."

I arch my brow and the corner of my mouth ticks up. "Rules?”

"Yes. Rules. Number one.” She closes the gap and there’s about 4 or 5 inches between us. “You have zero say in what I wear while I live here. If I'm to treat this as my workplace and my home, I want to be comfortable and I don't need you picking apart my choice in clothing."

"Ok." I stand with attitude as I cross my arms. "But I draw the line at choices that leave little to the imagination." I eye her.

"Fine. I'll buy a one piece. But that's it." She mirrors my posture.

I nod. "Number two?"

"Number two. You have zero say in who I talk with. I can see from the other day where this thing between us is going and I will not allow you to dictate who I'm friends with."

"Fine, but..." She glares at me and I raise a hand. "But...I will advise you on those around you who aren't the healthiest to hang around. There are people out there who may be good people, but there's some who may take advantage of a young, vulnerable woman such as yourself."

She cocks her head. "I'm hardly vulnerable."

I snort. "Ok." I stifle my grin. "Number three."

She steps closer. "Number three. I'm not yours to protect or speak for. I don't need you commanding my every move. Finally, I'm not at your beckoned call. I have my own life, and right now, it doesn't include you. Am I understood?"

"Perfectly." I step even closer. "You need space. I get that." I eye her lips as I drop my arms and leave little light between us.

I watch her eyes travel my face as her teeth gently bite her bottom lip. The heat is quickly becoming thick and the urge to grab her is strong.

"Yes... Space..." She whispers.

I lock with her eyes and lean in. My lips brush hers ever so slightly and she parts them just a bit. My wolf eggs me on and it’s like everything I’ve done in this room is against me. I fight for control and discipline, but I’m losing.

"Any more… rules?" I mumble on her lips.

"No.” She breathes.

"Good."

At that moment, I grab the back of her head and slam my lips into hers. She parts her lips for me and my tongue finds hers. She moans into my mouth as I grip her head and fist her hair. Her arms wrap around my waist as she melts into me.

It’s been forever since I kissed these lips and I have to devour her just as much as the first time.

My wolf purrs as her scent and arousal infect my brain. This is the ultimate calmness for him. Her skin, taste, everything. I need her like I need air.

I pull her into me and my hands glides down her curves. I circle her ass cheek and squeeze as she lets out another moan. I deepen the kiss as my jeans tighten on the semi that’s growing.

I slowly pull back to let her breathe. “Was that everything you wanted to say?" I whisper.

Her eyes are dreamy slits as she recovers. "Yes…For now." She pants.

"We could go to my office." I drawl. "We can continue this talk there." I have my forehead on hers, stroking her soft cheek with my finger.

I lean in and kiss her again. She melts into me as I caress her skin. She's so hot, her skin feels like it's getting warmer by the second. Her arousal is so thick, it's driving me crazy. I grab her C cup breast in my hand as my tongue explores her mouth.

I was about to say fuck it and take her right there when she suddenly pushed me away.

I stumble and my face fills with confusion. “Sammy?”

She leans her back on the wall and looks at me with wild eyes. She looks down at her arms between her thighs. “Oh God.”

“Sammy, what’s wrong?” My confusion only deepens when I see her scratch herself to the point of blood. “What are you doing?!”

“Stay away!!” She yells and bolts for the door.

“Sammy!!!”