The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl

(Chapter song ‘Feel Good Inc.’ by Gorillaz)

BASTIAN

NIGEL!!”

I walk briskly across my driveway. I’m excited. After talking with Nigel on my way home, he told me that not only is she talented, but she’s not bad looking, according to him. I’ll be the judge of that. One thing I’m very skilled at is recognizing a beautiful woman worth my time.

I side eye the ballroom as I approach the stairs. The landscapers are busy fixing the grass and planting the trees. Soon, my impressive mansion will be filled with the only shifters who matter.

If only my Beta wasn’t so damn lazy!!

“NIGEL!!” I call out as I hit the steps.

He walks out the door. “Good. You’re back.” He jogs down and meets me half way. He turns and walks up with me. “How was the meeting?”

“A train wreck. She here?” I ask as I hit the top step and fix my suit. I strut into the mansion with Nigel behind me.

“Yeah. She’s in the ballroom… uh… Bastian…”

I spin around and flash a smile. “How do I look?” I hold out my arms and puff out my chest. If I’m meeting a beautiful woman, I have to make sure I’m the one that shines.

“You look great… Bastian!…” He starts.

I turn to a mirror in the lobby, fix my hair and straighten my eyebrows. “Good. If she’s as professional as you say she is, I don’t need her thinking she’s painting an idiot’s basement. She needs to see that I have very high standards.” I flash a smile at his reflection.

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll see that.” He mutters. “She is professional, but Bastian… We called her at the last minute and I have to warn…” Nigel follows me to the hall that leads to the ballroom.

I spin and furrow my brow. “Nigel. I don’t have the time to listen to you yammer on about shit that doesn’t matter to me. Go occupy yourself.” I wave him off as I turn back down the hall.

“But, Bastian…”

I spin around and snap my fingers. “There’s a mountain of work on my desk.” I stuff my hands in my pockets. “Go do it.” I raise my brow and shoot him a look that says get out of my face.

He raises his hands. “Ok, fine.” He turns and walks away.

I lick my bottom lip and smile. “Now, for my decorator.” I spin on my toes and walk down the hall.

Honestly, I can’t wait to get my hands dirty with this decorator. Professionally, of course. I do have an eye for color coordination. Who am I kidding? I have an eye for everything, but that besides the point.

It'll be nice to associate with someone who respects and takes her job seriously. You don’t see that anymore. Especially, in the new nitwits joining the council. I need a shower after spending the afternoon with their average presence. Ugh.

As I prepare to make my presence known, my steps slow, my ear tilts to the door of the ballroom and my brows pinch.

Excuse me?

I look to the door. Is that… dance music?

I open the door and I’m blasted by the electric guitar of ‘Blue Monday’. My ears feel assaulted and as I look into the room, my eyes were even more so.

With the music blaring at top volume, I watch a tiny, tight ass in cut off Jean shorts wiggle around like she’s on a stage. Her long, tanned legs are spread a bit as her hips swing and her knees bend. It’s extremely inappropriate and I hate that my eyes are moving with the bottom of those shorts as they threaten to show her little ass cheek.

I cross my arms and irritation fills me when I see fucking flip flops on her feet. It could be cute at the beach…

Sure, I can see the small of her back in her lifted up white tank top and I’m sure in certain circles, that long, chocolate brown ponytail would be entertaining, but in my house?

My anger boils as I stride over to the Bluetooth speaker and slam the pause button.

She yelps, turns around and it almost pisses me off more.

Big, brown eyes. Soft, olive tanned, baby soft skin with a touch of pink on her cheeks. And if she didn’t have a fucking bubble gum bubble in front her lips…

She blinks at me and I snarl a lip.

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!” I growl.

I see her flinch at my raised voice and her bubble deflates. She chokes back her gum and swallow it as she stands there blinking at me with her huge doe eyes.

I furrow my brow more. “Answer me!”

“S-Sammy.” She says nervously as she twists her fingers together. She, then, straightens herself up, trying to save face. She smiles a bright, white smile and I purse my lips together.

She walks over to me with her hand extended out to me. “Samantha Gale. You must be the Alpha.”

I look at her hand then up to her eyes. I raise my chin, look down at her and place my hands behind my back. My lips shrink as I try to reason how a gorgeous woman like this could be so trashy. Obviously, there’s been some sort of mistake.

“NIGEL!” I yell without breaking contact with her eyes.

She flinches again, then slowly takes back her hand and looks at me with innocent eyes. “Is there a problem?”

I turn and take a few steps to the door to kick my Beta’s ass for allowing this woman in here. “Nigel! Get your ass in here!”

I glance at her, look her over and try not to be amused by her B-cup chest as it starts to rise a little faster. She’s nervous. Good. She should be. I can’t believe she would think that this behavior is acceptable around me.

I hear a squeak from her pouty lips and whip my head to her. She shuts her mouth and her lips shrink.

As soon as Nigel walks through the door, I stride to him, grab his shoulder and throw my hand to this woman who insulted me in my own house. “What the hell is this?” I glare at him then glance at her.

“The decorator.” His brows pinch and he looks between me and her.

“This?” I point to her. “This is not a decorator. I wanted a professional decorator. Not some showgirl wanna be.” I jut my chin out to him.

“Hey!”

I let go of Nigel and turn to the woman who’s apparently mouthy, too. “Excuse me?” I place my hands on my hips as she struts up to me. Her long, ponytail swings behind her.

She mirrors my stance. “That’s a little offensive.”

I lean down to her and lock with her eyes. “If the flip flops FIT!” I yell and she gets this angry look on her face which really isn’t threatening at all. It’s like she can’t be angry, but is trying so hard. It’s laughable. “Now, be quiet!”

She shuts her mouth and I turn back to Nigel. “Get rid of her.” I push past him and start for the hall.

“Bastian!” Nigel grabs my arm and I scowl at his audacity. He leans to me and raises his hand between us. “She’s the best decorator I could find. The longer I have to look, the longer this is going to take. You just finished telling me today you can’t afford delays which means you can’t afford to toss her.” He stands straight and thumps my chest with the back of his hand. “Besides… She’s hot.” He says quietly and glances at her.

I look her way and she’s chewing her cheek which makes her thick, full lips damn cute. I study her from head to toe as she stands with crossed arms and a leg kicked out.

She steps to me. “Alpha… If I may…”

“I said be quiet!” I growl and raise a brow to her.

She, then, does something no woman has ever done to me before. She got in my face. “No! I will not be quiet!” She lets out her own tiny assed growl that had me fighting a smile.

I stare at her like she’s nuts as she points in my face. “I may not look like a fancy decorator to you, but I have a five-star rating and hundreds of satisfied clients. If you only hired me for my looks, then fine. I’ll see myself out. Good luck getting anyone to decorate your ballroom with even half the skill that I have.”

I blink at her telling me off and watch her but bounce to the table then she starts to pack her stuff up.

“Bastian.” Nigel says over my shoulder.

Fuck. He’s right. Like it or not, I need her.

“Stop!” I bark then strut to the table. I lean my hand on it, lean down to her as she turns and scowls at me.

I’m inches from her eyes. “You will behave in a professional manner while in my home. The music. The clothes. This will not happen again or your contract is terminated. Do you understand me?”

“I….”

Her lips fall and I tilt my head. “Do you understand?” I search her eyes which seem to get even bigger.

“Yes.” She squeaks.

I deepen my glare. “I have a reputation to protect and I don’t need some girl parading her goods around here in front of everyone.”

I can tell I’m making her get flustered which I basically see as pay back for yelling at me. I’m making her uncomfortable and she needs to stay that way. She needs to know who has the control here.

I stand straight and cross my arms. “This project is important to my career. I need a responsible person in charge. If you’re that person, then you can stay.”

“Thank you.” She backs down and humbles herself. “I assure you. You won’t be disappointed.”

“I better not be.” I turn and side eye her then leave her there.

I collect Nigel and leave the ballroom. “Keep an eye on her. I have a feeling she’s going to be trouble if I let my guard down.”

“Her?” He thumbs over his shoulder. “I’ve never seen a girl so sweet in my life. You’re just upset she’s not the pushover you’re used to.” He chuckles.

“No. She’s not.” As we leave the hall, I glance at the door to the ballroom, shake my head and try to push the whole experience away.

She may have a mouth that needs shutting up, but Nigel is right. She is sweet and definitely not the easy women I’m used to.

I almost have a desire to find out more, but not now. I need to focus on my career. Not the sexy decorator that yelled at me.