Chapter 1
Dakota
Could someone die of boredom?
The fact that I’d have preferred to havebeen home writing the blurb for my latest book rather than hanging out at theparty said something about my lack of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, only Jonahwould have understood how frustrating it was to boil an entire book down to twoparagraphs of teasing, so there was no point in making the comparison.
That just left glaring at anyone who triedto talk to me and hiding from anyone who tried to flirt with me…which was asurprising number of people in the crowded room, considering how downrightunfriendly I was attempting to be.
Maybe asshole was the new “in” personalitythis season.
Oh, that would be good in a book.
Scrambling to pat my pockets, I quicklyremembered Austin had stolen my notebook and pen. He had the crazy idea that ifI couldn’t work, then I’d have to talk to everyone. It was ridiculous. I couldignore them without a pen and paper. I had a great imagination.
But an imagination was better when I hadsomething to make notes with.
Dodging behind an alpha who was the size ofa small tank and wanted a puppy—and not the dog pound kind—I ducked intoAustin’s kitchen. I couldn’t remember the last time he was even in it, so he’dnever think to look for me in there.
Okay, had to find a pen.
Glancing around the room, I didn’t seeanything to write with. There had to be a junk drawer or even a crayonsomewhere. A pad for grocery lists. Yes, there had to be something. Randomlywalking around the ridiculously sized room, I found drawer after drawer ofweird silverware and knives but nothing remotely resembling a junk drawer.
I was about halfway around the room whensomeone started quietly laughing behind me. The voice was deep, but I couldn’tplace it so I just ignored them. People usually went away when they didn’t getattention.
Unfortunately, the person behind me didn’tseem to realize he was supposed to leave me alone. Footsteps behind me gotcloser, but I still figured the best plan was to play dumb until he got bored.Even the massive alpha with the sweet smile who wanted a little didn’t have thepatience to wait me out.
I almost felt bad about him.
The sound of another drawer opening had mesighing. I could rummage through Austin’s house, but no one else was allowed tosteal from the drama queen.
Just as I was turning around to point thatout, a unicorn notebook and pink pen appeared in front of my face. It wassmall, but it would work. Nodding at the hand, I took it and turned toward thecounter. “Thanks.”
More low laughter from the other side ofthe room was slightly distracting, but in minutes I had the bare bones of thefirst scene in a new book and quite possibly a new series outlined. It wouldneed to be fleshed out and I’d have to decide how it would connect to mycurrent universe, but I could see how it would come together.
When the notes were done, I tore out thepages and folded them, putting them in my wallet. It wasn’t perfect, but Icouldn’t just walk off with someone’s notebook.
They were important.
As I looked around, I furrowed my brow.Where had it come from?
“I’ll put it back.” The voice coming frombehind me made me frown. “But let me see the papers before you put them away.”
The tone was so firm and politelycommanding that I reached for my wallet without even thinking about it.
If the voice made me want to obey, the facemade me want to purr…it also made me hand over the notebook and the papers.
I didn’t claim to be smart when it came toalphas.
He was bossy, sexy, and wasn’t looking atme like I was being ridiculous.
Oh, he had my papers.
I reached out, trying to decide what tosay. Tanner had made it clear no one got to be an asshole today, includingBradley, but the guy had my papers. “I need those…”
He nodded but didn’t hand over my papers.Instead, he started smoothing them out on the table and stuck his hand out.“Give me your phone.”
“Huh?” I needed to learn how to say nonicely to people.
