Tempted - Chapter Four

She had barely stepped into the hallway when a mountain of a man crashed into her, nearly sending her sprawling face-first into the hardwood.

Iron hands gripped her shoulders and saved her from the undeniably graceful face plant she was sure to have experienced. “Whoa! Sorry, I didn't see you. Are you alright?” The man was still holding her away from him, steel gray eyes giving her a once over as he checked to make sure that she was indeed unharmed, before meeting her eyes.

“Umm... Y-yes I'm fine.” She stuttered, feeling uneasy at the closeness of the unknown male before her.

A brilliant smile met her as she returned her gaze from the floor to look at him. Dimples pressed into one tanned cheek as he released her and ran his hand through short brown hair. His dark green t-shirt bunched at the sleeves at the motion of one muscular arm.

“My name's Mark, by the way. Are you... new here?” He questioned her, clearly confused as to her presence in his leader's home. A home that usually only housed males.

“I'm Alessandra, and you could say that.” The uneasiness of a complete stranger holding her subsided, she found that she felt quite comfortable around Mark. She smiled up at him, finding his easy going attitude contagious.

He laughed. “Alright, cool. Did you need someone to show you around? I was about to head out to do something for Jason, but I find you much more interesting.” He winked at her, smiling easily as she blushed at his flirtatious remark.

“I was just going to meet Jason in his office, but I know--“

“Allow me to show you the way.” He provided his elbow in an exaggerated fashion and shot Alessandra another brilliant smile. She laughed despite herself and placed her hand inside the crook of his arm.

Mark began to walk down the hallway before speaking again. “So you said you're new here. Where are you from?” His deep voice reverberated through the hallway.

Alessandra considered telling the truth, but decided against it. It would raise too many questions that she wasn't ready to answer just yet, so she gave him a half-truth. “New York City.”

“Nice, I spent some time there once. It wasn't much to my taste, though.” Alessandra shot him a questioning glance and he added, “Not enough green.” He shrugged, “It wasn't bad. Just wouldn't want to live there.”

They talked amiably for another minute or so before reaching the door to Jason's office. Alessandra removed her hand from the crook of Mark's arm and knocked twice.

“Come in.” Jason's own deep tenore crossing the threshold of the closed door.

Alessandra opened the door and walked in, Mark trailing behind her. Jason shot a glance between Alessandra and Mark, glints of amber turning his eyes into a window of sunset, a low growl just below hearing range.

“I see you and Mark have met.” A statement.

“He and I bumped into each other, literally, in the hallway. He offered to escort me to your office.” She stared back at Jason, with the odd sense of heat licking along her spine. Blue eyes touched with gold bore into her, barely leashed anger in their depths.

“I thought you didn't need an escort.” The statement was a deliberate taunt.

She rolled her eyes and looked behind her to speak to Mark. He was standing on the threshold of the office, clearly uneasy. “I'll see you later, Mark.” He nodded and without another word left the office, shutting the door behind him.

Alessandra turned to look at the leader of Panther Territory, annoyance warring with complacency. Annoyance won.

“What was that about? He was just being nice.” She locked eyes with Jason, gold eyes touched with blue stared back at her. He ignored her question.

“I've already contacted the local Police Department. They've agreed to allow us into the morgue to see the victims' bodies.”

Alessandra nearly stomped her foot in frustration. It was a childish response, but Jason drove her insane. Clearly the honeymoon was over.

But despite her frustration, she allowed the change of topic. She needed to begin the investigation as soon as possible.

“Good. When do we head out?” She didn't need Jason to assist her with the investigation, but she needed him to at least transport her to the Police Department.

“Now.”

Reviews

[Kyle]

The story gets more and more layered I see. I hope it doesnt get too involved, but if it does then im sure you can pull it off.

I like the descriptions and the detail.