One

"Emily, grab those swimsuits from my dad’s place!" Gretchen's voice echoed in my head as I stepped out of the car. She was throwing a welcome party for us, and I couldn't wait. But first, I had to run this little errand. No big deal. I'd always done favours for Gretchen, and it was nice to feel needed.

I fished out the spare key she'd given me and slipped inside the front door, squinting against the sunlight which was reflected by the gigantic glass windows. I was met with the scent of cedar and leather, and a stunning view of the living room. The mansion never ceased to mesmerise me, it felt like stepping into a different world. Gretchen's dad, Alpha Chase, was loaded, like super rich and it showed in every inch of the place. The house was almost too quiet as I made my way up to the laundry, my sneakers squeaking softly against the polished marble floor. That's where Gretchen said the guest house swimsuits were kept.

I figured Alpha Chase was in his office or something, then I'd just grab the swimsuits and be on my way. I pushed the door open, expecting to see a mess of swimwear and beach towels but what I found instead made my breath hitch. Alpha Chase was standing by the counter, dressed in nothing but a pair of snug boxer briefs and an apron.

An apron.

My eyes widened and I froze on the spot while my heart pounded in my chest. He was stirring something in a pot, completely casual like it was the most normal thing ever. But to me, it was anything but normal. Because he was 'hot', as much as I didn't want to admit it, hotter than any of the guys from school. His muscles were perfectly sculpted, and his tan skin glistened in the light, while the apron did absolutely nothing to hide the bulge in his briefs. Oh my god, was I staring at his...?

I shook my head, berating myself while trying to snap myself out of it. But my eyes couldn't help but linger for a second longer. The bulge of his protruding cock was impossible to ignore, and I felt a weird, warm sensation stir deep in my stomach, spreading lower down to my crotch. What the hell was wrong with me?

"Emily?" His deep, smooth voice broke the silence, and I jumped, instantly flushing. His gaze landed on me, and I swear it was like he could see straight through me, like he knew exactly what I'd been thinking. The intensity in his dark eyes made my skin prickle and my heart race faster.

"H-Hey, Alpha Chase," I stammered, trying to play it cool, even though I was pretty sure I was failing miserably. "Uh, Gretchen sent me to grab some swimsuits. For the party."

"Ah, right." He smiled, but there was something in that smile- something that made my knees feel weak. "The swimsuits are upstairs. I'll get them for you in a minute."

I nodded, feeling my pulse quicken as his eyes travelled over me for a brief second before returning to the pot on the stove. I was doing everything I could to stay calm, to act like I wasn't affected by how ridiculously good he looked standing there half-naked in the kitchen, but it was hard. So, so hard.

"Want some pasta?" He asked, carefully stirring the pot. "It's a new recipe I'm trying out."

I blinked, completely caught off guard by the offer. "Uh..sure?" I mean, how could I say no? It wasn't every day that Gretchen’s insanely hot dad offered to make me pasta. I watched him move around the kitchen, his muscles flexing with every motion, and I felt a surge of heat rush to my face. Stop staring, Emily. Just stop. But I couldn't help it. There was something about him, something so magnetic and... god, sexy, that it was Impossible to look away.

He glanced over his shoulders, catching me mid-stare, and I quickly looked down, pretending to be fascinated by the floor.

Crap, had he noticed?

His dark gaze was still locked on me, and I could feel it- like his eyes were burning into my skin. That same weird feeling from earlier tightened in my stomach, and I swallowed hard.

"So," he said, breaking the silence, "how was the party?"

"Oh, uh, it was fun," My voice was a little too high-pitched for my liking. "We danced, drank, and you know, the usual post-graduation stuff."

He chuckled a deep, rich sound that made my stomach flip. "Sounds like a good time."

I forced a smile, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. "Yeah, it was."

There was a bit of silence, and then he turned off the gas, setting the pot aside. His gaze found mine again, and for a second, I couldn't breathe. Those eyes were darker now, more intense.

"Emily," he said with a low, smooth voice. "You've grown up a lot since the last time I saw you."

My heart practically jumped into my throat. What was that supposed to mean? I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or something...else. That strange, heated thrill kept running through me.

"I...guess so," College changes you."

"Does it?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. There was a hint of mischief in his smile, and my heart raced at the thought of what he might be thinking.

"Yeah, you know," I tried sounding causal. "More responsibilities, more-"

"More maturity?" There was teasing lilt in his voice as he interrupted. The way he said it made my heart flutter.

I laughed, a little nervous. "Yeah, something like that." I mumbled, not really sure how to respond.

I could barely think straight with the way he was looking at me, like he was seeing me in a completely different light. The warmth inside me turned into something more intense, something that had me biting my lip to keep from letting out a sound. He took a step closer, and I froze. My heart was hammering as the space between us felt way too small now, too close I could could the heat radiating off him.

"Right. I should just get those swimsuits," I stammered, breaking the tension as I turned away, desperate to put some distance between us. "No, I'll get them."

His soft voice sent fresh shivers down my spine. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, and when he walked past me, his arm brushed mine ever so slightly. My skin exploded with sparks at the contact and my breath hitched again.

What was wrong with me?