Chapter 4 Handsome stranger.

"What did you say?" The blonde woman asks.

"Hmm? Oh nothing," The Alpha replies.

The male licks his upper lip slightly and Tess follows the movement with her eyes.

She does not know why such a small movement has her feeling hot all over. The man's very presence demands her attention. Why? Why can't she take her eyes away from his?

Jade orbs clash with the stormy grey eyes of the stranger and Tess gulps. She feels bare in front of this man. The last time that she felt was when she found the peculiar animal in her backyard.

How strange.

Tess has never had her insides rock this hard, and for some reason, she knows that she'll enjoy this date. Maybe she would not mind losing her innocence to him.

Tess flushes at the thought.

Green eyes move lower to avoid the Alpha's steady gaze and it lands on his form. The black baggy shirt he has on catches on the man's bulky arms. The blonde imagines being wrapped in his thickness; it makes her core throb and her entire being tremble.

This is dangerous; forget being on a blind date; the logical part of Tess's brain says she shouldn't be anywhere close to him, his presence cancerous to her, but Tess's heart says Yes, Yes, and Yes. The flimsy no-dating rule she once had is long forgotten; if she manages to hit it off with Mysterio, she is sure to grab him, Tess promises herself.

A slight touch from Clara pulls her out of her trance, and if possible, her cheeks redden some more, knowing that she has been caught ogling the fine individual. All eyes are on her expectantly.

Embarrassed, Tess diverts her gaze; she must have missed something.

"Oh my gosh! You were spacing out again. Sorry, Tess tends to space out sometimes," Clara apologizes.

"Don't sweat it; we know a certain someone who is the same; this can't be a coincidence," Addison laughs softly, sparing a glance to the only single guy.

Blinking lazily a few times, Logan breaks eye contact with his mate, giving everyone else a brief moment and then looking lost. Tess finds this cute, in contrast to his body, which, is something else. She laughs at his cluelessness.

"I will assume you know Clara and Will so let's get to know each other, the name is Addison, Addison Chase," Addie says beaming,

"-and this yummy snack over here, not sure if you guessed, is my ma-, boyfriend. Ryan West." Addie winks at the flustered Beta.

Ryan waves at the equally affected human girl, "Hey, pay her no mind, please,"

Although the Beta says that, he tightens his hold on his mate's waist.

"-and the airhead is Logan Chase," Addie points out.

Mr. Perfect's name matches the rest of his perfect profile according to Tess's heart.

Wondering how it will sound on her tongue, she utters a low Logan, and she hears a groan? Growl? That can't be. Tess stops short at a realization. Could it be...

"yes, we are related, from the same womb. My older brother," Addie says.

Tess smiles abashed. Was her face such a giveaway?

"Tess Bennett, nice to meet you all," the blonde woman says softly.

Tess zeros in on the lone alpha.

Food arrives, and everyone subtly moves, leaving the singles to themselves, leaning on the wall of the booth; facing each other.

"As Addie said, I'm Logan but not to you. Do permit me to call you love."

The Alpha's voice feel like hot chocolate melted over the fire on a chilly night. Tess thrills at the lovely sound.

The nickname powders her cheeks with a crimson she keeps trying to fight. It should creep her out; she should shut his awkward approach down but every time she looks into his eyes and sees the sincerity, everything leaves her mind.

Tess's heart beats at an alarming rate and the devil smirks while maintaining eye contact. Oh, how Logan knows the effect he has on her. His canine pokes out and Tess finds it very attractive.

Tess replies with a playful grin, "Love huh? And what do you suppose I call you?"

Logan's smile grows, the enthralled lady giving him her focus. "Anything that comes out of that pretty mouth of yours."

The way he whispers each word like their little secret makes her feel special and she becomes even more determined to get more from this 'blind date.'

They both enjoy the other's company and the rest of the party watches the two with fond smiles.

"Not trying to be rude but how old are you?" Tess asked.

Scared of the outcome of the question, she holds a breath. She exhales rather forcefully when she finds out he is merely two years older, not that age matters much.

"You don't look any age over twenty, sweetheart, if I am to guess." he gives a light chortle, and going by his friend's shocked expression, Tess doubts he does it often.

The conversation keeps on flowing, with Tess throwing in a joke here and there; she realizes early on that his laugh lights her world, and she keeps falling deeper and deeper for him.

"Hey Logan, since you came in your car, why don't you take Tess home?" Addison winks.

"Oh dear, It's alright, I can manage," Tess replies. She wants to ride with him.

"I'll drop her off," The Alpha says gruffly.

Clara and Addie give the other woman a thumbs up before dashing out with a promise to speak later. Their mates follow after leaving the Alpha and Tess like puppies.

Logan frowns at the ladies' display. They are driving off my mate, his Alpha whines.

Logan blinks slowly at the belle squealing and smiling wide.

"They're so cute. Weird but cute, nonetheless."

Tess rides with the Alpha in silence. Both struggle to start a conversation.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I live?" Tess muses.

"Oh yeah, right. My bad. So..." Logan scratches his neck, sheepishly.

"It's the next turn," Tess announces.

The uncomfortable silence continues until they are in front of Tess's apartment.

"So... Um, thank you. I had a blast... I should probably get going," Tess shuffles awkwardly.

Logan sighs sharply, "No need to thank me, I also had a fun time."

He also couldn't find it in him to let her go. Suddenly the alpha looks up,

"I am just going to come clean, I want to take you out again, maybe just the two of us. You don't have to, of course; I just hope you give me a chance. I like you, a lot."

The woman's eyes widen and she holds the door handle firmly to ground herself.

"You don't think we're moving too fast?" She questions.

"Is it so bad if we are?" Logan asks in turn.

"I, ... Don't know. We can start somewhere, though. One date. I'll decide on the outcome. How about that?" Tess says with a beating chest.

Tess fiddles with her thumb. Things are moving fast, but if she does not follow his tempo, he could lose interest, and that would be devastating. She is already attached to Logan.

Tess fears her grave has been dug too deep for her to crawl out. Her heart is an enemy to her; a traitor.

"How about this weekend? If you are not too busy?" Logan asks.

"That's wonderful, oh. I won't be able to meet up," Tess's mood lessens.

She would have said yes if she hadn't just remembered she had to meet up with her family,

"I am sorry, but I have a dinner to attend," Tess murmurs.

A thought pops into her head erasing her sad demeanor with a rather bashful one.

"Would you accompany me? It is a family dinner and I would love to be there with you."

Tess can't contain her excitement, a faint smile painting her pretty face.

Logan's expression stays unreadable but the beau isn't the slightest bit bothered,

"It's too fast right?" Logan asks.

"Is it a bad thing?" Tess questions slyly.

"To be frank. I did not expect to be meeting your folks, but I have to admit, it makes it easier. I would love to go out with you, Tess Bennett."

Sudden need pools within her and she nibs at her plump lips, wanting something more, something close to forbidden at this point.

"Stop that," the male growls.

The Alpha's voice goes lower and he grips the steering wheel firmly. Logan smells his mate's arousal and he feels his pants constrict.

Tess gnaws at her lip and Logan repeats his request,

"Stop that!" Logan repeats.

The woman does the opposite and worries her lips with vigor. Lust dances in the Alpha's eyes.

Tess takes a daring look at Logan and sees his eyes a darker shade than before, she thinks. Tess gives her lips one last swipe and both pairs of eyes meet.

Like a puzzle being completed, the Alpha smashes his lips.

What is Tess's reply to the kiss? Will the alpha go for dinner?