a/n: Thanks again for all you comments! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
*
"Hey sweetheart," a low voice sounded behind Jordan startling her out of her reverie. Turning quickly she prepared to defend herself before she realized she was working in the shop not out on a dangerous street.
"Oh, hello. How can I help you today?" Jordan set down the ceramic kitten she was holding to give her full attention to the blonde man standing before her. Though he was smiling at her she sensed something off about the man. He would have been attractive if his brown eyes weren't so cruel and his presence was more threatening than the one at the café. Stepping away from the man, she made sure the baseball bat Henry stashed in the corner was in reach and kept an eye on the exits. She wasn't sure of his intentions but she knew from experience not to take any chances.
"Are you looking for something specific? Or maybe a gift for someone special?"
"Yea, I'm looking for something specific. I saw you through the window and thought a good looking girl like you would look good on my arm tonight. I am going to show you a real good time," the man said leering and reaching for her.
Swatting his hand away and inching closer to the bat Jordan gave the stranger an incredulous glare.
"I sell ornaments and ceramic figurines beyond that I can't help you." The smile on the stranger's face waivered slightly.
"Sweetheart, I'm Marco," he said flexing his muscles in a way he must have thought was alluring "Girls throw themselves at me and I'm willing to spend my time on you. So I will be picking you up at 9. Where do you live?"
Jordan laughed. She couldn't imagine how this arrogant man could actually think she wanted him. "Forgive me if I don't swoon, but I'm not interested. Now unless you plan on buying something, you need to leave," she said sternly preparing to return to work. Jordan could see how her disregard infuriated Marco, his faced turned red, the vein in his forehead throbbed dangerously and his smile turned into a scowl. Striking out Marco grabbed Jordan's wrist in a bruising grip dragging her closer to his imposing figure. Leaning in, Marco got right in Jordan's face. "You will be going out with me. It's not an option," he sneered spit flying out of his mouth.
"Let go!," Jordan yelled. She could deal with pushy assholes but this one had gone too far. Before he could finish his threats she punched Marco square in the nose feeling the satisfying crunch and warm blood drip from his face. Marco hollered and released her now bruised wrist allowing her the chance to lunge for the bat leaning against the wall.
"You bitch! How dare you . . ."
"Kitten, are you ready to go?," both heads turned quickly to the door in confusion. Jordan's eyes widened and her mouth went dry as her day dream strolled into the shop. Warm green eyes gazed into hers taking her breath away. Jordan stumbled forward instinctively preparing to reach out for him when Marco rounded on the man.
"Get out of here. She's with me," he yelled one hand trying to stop the flow of blood while the other waved furiously at the stranger.
Her green-eyed dream glowered down at Marco without a word. Standing face to face for a moment Marco's snarling expression became unsure, then he began to shrink towards the door.
"Man, I'm sorry. I just saw her through the window." The stranger continued to glare, arms crossed over his broad chest, as Marco sputtered explanations nervously. "She's hot I couldn't pass that up. But if she's yours . . . I'll just be on my way." By the time Marco was at the door his voice was barely a whisper. He held his hands up in front of his bleeding face trying to shelter himself from the powerful man's wordless threat then he scampered out into the street. Marco wasn't one to be scared easily but this man oozed a dangerous power. He'd have to make his move on the girl another time when she was alone. He considered just leaving her alone but he couldn't let some bitch best him like that and get away with it. He'd be back one day soon.
Jordan could have laughed at the deflation in Marco's demeanor but she was distracted by her stranger slowly stalking toward her. The bat she had picked up to defend herself hung limp in her hand and it wasn't until he was standing directly in front of her that she realized she'd stopped breathing. Her stranger's intense stare seemed to excite and unnerve her at the same time. Jordan's pounding heart felt as though it was trying to escape her chest. Taking a deep breath she stepped back and took a firmer grip on the bat.
"I didn't need your help. I was doing just fine on my own," Jordan snapped trying to hide her body's traitorous reaction. The stranger's gaze warmed her skin and stained her cheeks with a rosy blush. He was the first man to ever make her feel this way. She knew nothing about him but she longed to reach out and stroke his face. She wanted to lift up on her tip toes and press her lips to his and feel his arms holding her close to his hard chest but all these new feelings only brought uncertainty. They seemed to come out of nowhere. She didn't quite trust them so she brought up her defenses.
"He was hurting you. I was just trying to help,"
"Thanks but I can take care of myself. Now, did you want to buy something or would you like a broken nose too?," Jordan demanded pointing the bat at him.
"Well, I would love to buy something but a beautiful girl stole my wallet," the stranger's lips turned up in a small smirk and Jordan's hazel eyes widened in surprise. In all the time she had spent daydreaming about him she had completely forgotten the circumstances of their meeting. Turning abruptly Jordan went behind the counter to put some distance between them but he followed so they stood with the counter as an inadequate barrier between them.
"Look, I'm sorry I'll pay you back. I still have a few dollars left. I just . . ." Jordan was flustered. She had never been confronted by a mark before and had no idea what to do besides return what little money she had left.
"Don't worry about it. I don't want the money."
"What?" Standing up from reaching for her bag Jordan raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "What do you want then?"
"I'd like to spend time with you --," Disgusted, Jordan turned away.
"Look, come back tomorrow and I will pay you back then," no matter how attractive she found this stranger or the impossible feelings floating through her body she was not going to pimp herself out for anything.
Understanding his mistake Xavier tried to begin again. "My name is Xavier. And I just meant that I would like to get to know you in a strictly friendly, hands-off kind of way. It's not every day I meet someone who is able to pick my pocket."
Xavier, she loved that name, uncommon and strong. It fit him. "Yea well your body guards were kind of useless. And it seems" she added looking out the window "you fired them."
"Body guards?"
"The three giant goons you had following you yesterday,"
"Oh, them," Xavier chuckled sending exciting shivers down Jordan's spine. "They weren't my goons, though Derek will find it funny you thought so."
"They were watching you like goons"
"Well they're just . . . over protective. Look we could go somewhere public, while the sun is up. We could get something to eat and just talk."
Still suspicious, Jordan narrowed her eyes. "I stole your wallet and you're asking me out on a date?"
"What can I say? You intrigue me. If it makes you feel any better we can call it payback for saving you from that menace."
Everything in Jordan's experience told her to run. Being connected to anyone, especially strangers, no matter how hot they were, was never a good idea. You can't trust them. But something about Xavier called to Jordan. His smile, his very presence, sparked something new inside her. So even though she knew better she decided to give in just this once.
"Fine, you can take me to dinner when I'm done with my shift here. Around 5?"
"I'd like that. I'll come back at 4:45 to pick you up. I don't want you leaving without me," Xavier smiled and took her hand that rested on the counter between them. The shock of the touch ran through their finger tips setting a fire alight in their eyes. "I can't wait" Xavier said raising Jordan's hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles, never taking his lustful emerald eyes off of hers. Jordan could feel the heat of the blush returning to her cheeks. No one had ever done that before. Though, truthfully, she probably would have hit anyone else who tried.
As Xavier prepared to leave another question came to Jordan's mind, "Why did you call me kitten when you came in?"
Xavier pointed to the forgotten ceramic kitten she'd placed next to the register. "You seemed rather fond of it" Astonishment ran through Jordan's body. How long had he been watching her before he came in?
"My name is Jordan," She called as he passed over the threshold.
Xavier smiled at her over his shoulder, "I know," he said before he stepped out into the sunlight and disappeared down the street.
--------
All morning Xavier had watched Jordan through the shop window. Each time he had tried to formulate a plan he would be distracted by the way she seemed to dance through the store. Her movements were graceful and her kind smile warmed him more than the sunshine. Few people visited Small Treasures but each person that entered the shop was treated courteously even the old man he assumed was her boss seemed to like her. Her thoughtful expression as she shelved the tiny figurines made him smile as well. Everything he noticed about his mate made his wolf see that she would make a wonderful Alpha Female. When he followed her to the café he tried to work up the nerve to talk to her but she looked so peaceful sitting at her table reading her book so he settled for watching over her.
While at the café Xavier noticed that he too was starving. He was going to eat at the café but they didn't exactly cater to the giant appetite of the shifter community. Running down the street he ate quickly at a pack run restaurant and returned just in time to see his mate's fist smash into the face of the animal who was manhandling her. A range of emotions flew through Xavier. He was furious that another man dared to touch what belonged to him yet he was so proud of the strength and courage his little mate showed. His wolf howled within him ready to tear this intruder apart but he took a deep breath and reminded his wolf that if they scared their mate she would not come to them willingly. When he had himself under control he entered the shop to save his mate.
As it turned out his mate was not too thrilled about being saved. Her spirit excited him. His wolf wanted to chase her and make her submit to him when she turned away. He wanted to run his hand along her lush curves, press her body to his, and bury his nose in her chocolate hair. Her delicious aroma wafted towards him. Warm honey and roses assaulted him and made his mouth water. Blood rushed to his cock making his pants feel tight. No woman had ever had such an instantaneous effect on him with just one glance. Her expressive eyes spoke of uncertainty and suspicion yet he also saw the longing she tried to hide and smelled a faint arousal. It was all he could do to walk away after getting her to agree to an early dinner. For the moment he could breathe. He had finally spoken to his mate, protected her, it was only a matter of time before they would complete the mating.
