‘I’m an alpha, Mallory. It’s in my nature. Telling me off for wanting to look after you is like telling off a scorpion for stinging.’
‘That analogy is surprisingly apt.’
Alexander pulled a face. ‘And what analogy would suityou?’ He tapped his mouth as if seriously considering the question. ‘Terrible diet, high maintenance…’
‘I’m not high maintenance!’
He ignored her. ‘And you have an absurd propensity to throw yourself into dangerous situations that you can’t handle.’
‘I didn’t throw myself into a dangerous situation!’
Alexander waved a lazy hand around the room. ‘You’re here alone with me, aren’t you?’
Mallory’s mouth was suddenly dry. She swallowed then did her best to recover. ‘Well, there’s a simple solution to that, isn’t there?’
‘Tie you up so you never escape my clutches?’
She met his gaze head on. Screw it: Alexander MacTire was proving far more trouble than he was worth. She wouldn’t break the contract between them – but he could. ‘Declare our contract null and void, then I’ll be out of your hair for good.’
‘I’m certainly not going to do that,’ he said silkily. ‘Especially when we’re finally making headway.’
‘Huh?’
‘My date with Cathy West is in three days’ time,’ he reminded her. ‘But I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night and I believe I need some extra … support.’
Mallory frowned. ‘Support?’
‘I think you were right. I’m intimidated by smart women and I don’t know how to talk to them. I rely too heavily on my looks and my status, and I’m not particularly skilled at first dates.’
She gaped at him. Of all the turns she’d expected this conversation to take, an admission like that from Alexander MacTire was not one of them.
He regarded her seriously. ‘It’s clear that I need extra coaching.’
‘Extra coaching?’
‘Yep. The practice run at the Imbolc event was a good idea but I need more practice. I think we should spend the next couple of days together – high-intensity training.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘Make me Mr Right, Mallory Nash.’
‘I’m going to need stronger coffee before I can even begin to think about this.’
‘I’ll make it worth your while.’ He smiled but there was an edge to his expression that Mallory couldn’t quite decipher. ‘In return for your extra help, I will help you.’
She couldn’t suppress a flicker of suspicion. ‘How?’
‘Self-defence training. You don’t have magic to rely on but you do have a habit of getting yourself into trouble.’
‘No, I don’t!’ she protested. ‘I’m very careful.’
MacTire stood up, moved from behind his desk and stepped towards her. ‘So if I came at you right now? If I grabbed hold of your arm,’ he reached out and gripped her upper arm lightly in his right hand, ‘and pulled you towards me,’ he did just that, pulling her gently out of the chair until her body was pressed against his, ‘and moved my teeth towards your exposed neck…’
Mallory could feel his hot breath against her skin. Her heart rate had ratcheted up and she was brutally aware of the feel of his body against hers. She licked her lips.
She twisted slightly. ‘You seem to forget that I’m holding a cup of coffee,’ she said. ‘If you did that, I’d fling the contents in your face. The coffee is still hot. Would you like me to demonstrate?’
Alexander released her and stepped back. ‘That won’t be necessary.’
She snorted and tried to regulate her breathing. ‘Sure?’
‘Quite sure.’ He adjusted his cuffs. ‘But you won’t always be holding a hot drink.’
