Chapter 4
Alec
I’m wandering up and down the aisles at the Wolf Valley Market the next day when I spot a familiar curvy figure. My eyes lock onto the blonde head of hair in the frozen aisle, and my heart races as I watch her scan the shelves.
I’ve never chased a woman in my life, but as soon as I see her, I do just that. I hurry her way, telling myself I’m simply approaching her to apologize again for our first meeting. But I can’t deny the way my body reacts to her, and I know it’s not just me wanting to make up for how I acted.
I’m attracted to her.
I’ve always been able to deal with my body’s needs. It doesn’t happen often, but when I’m in the mood, a quick rub of my hand has always been enough. Not anymore. I’m like a teenager, my hormones running wild, unable to control my urges every time I’m near this goddess.
She looks up as I stop next to her, and it’s obvious from the look on her face that she doesn’t want anything to do with me. That sucks because I have a lot of ideas for things I want to do with her.
“Hey, sorry, I never got your name before,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Alec.”
She eyes my hand like she’s worried it’ll bite her. “Yeah, you were pretty busy yelling at me.”
“I’m sorry about that. I turn into a fucking asshole when I’m sleep-deprived. Still, that’s no excuse for how I treated you. I’m genuinely sorry.”
“Okay,” she says again, just like last night.
My hand is still extended, and I’m about to drop it when she sighs and slips hers into mine.
“Coco.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Coco.”
She smiles and nods politely. I have my work cut out for me if I want to win her over.
“Sorry for waking you up,” she mumbles.
I wave my free hand. “Don’t apologize.” I clear my throat. “Have you lived in town long?”
“Yeah, all my life.”
“Maybe you can show me around sometime,” I suggest.
She frowns in confusion. I’m trying to get her to warm up to me, but she’s a brick wall. How can I get her to open up?
“What do you do for a living?”
She smiles the first genuine smile I’ve seen since we met. “I’m a photographer.”
“No way! Shooting what? Landscapes? People?”
“Usually, it’s people. I’ve done weddings, shots for book covers and marketing pamphlets, and pretty much everything in between.”
“That’s so cool,” I tell her honestly.
She nods, her expression guarded. “Thanks.”
I deflate. She’s back to being distant with me. Seems I’m terrible at flirting. Putting people at ease has never been one of my strong suits, and I regret that now. I wish I could be charming and suave, but I don’t have it in me, I guess.
Coco pulls her hand from mine, and I frown at the loss of contact. My eyes drift over to her cart, and I stare in horror at the frozen meals, Lunchables, and yogurt.
“Don’t judge me,” she snaps.
I tear my gaze away to look at her. “I—”
“I didn’t want to start any more fires. Didn’t want to get yelled at again. I thought you’d appreciate that.”
“I could teach you how to cook,” I offer immediately.
She shakes her head, her green eyes sparking with ire. “No thanks. I have it covered.”
“You have it covered? What does that mean? Is someone else teaching you?” I ask, jealousy filling me.
“Yes,” she says simply.
“Another man?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure yet. Classes don’t start at Palmer’s until tomorrow.”
Palmer’s? Tomorrow? She must be in my cooking class.
I relax, smiling easily. I’ll get to teach her after all.
I suddenly can’t wait until those damn cooking classes start. This is my chance to get close to her. I’ll teach her how to cook, but that’s not all. I’m going to win her over. I’m going to show her she’s been missing more than culinary skills in her life.
She’s been missing me.
I grin to myself as I finish my shopping and head to the checkout. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.