An Alpha's Thunder (Water Bear Shifters 3) by Sloane Meyers Read Free Book Online Page A

of his imagination. There was indeed a person standing in the water, and that person appeared to be a woman. He had seen her hair whipping wildly in the wind as the lightning reflected off of it.
    Why in the world was she out here in this storm, standing in the ocean? She must be high or drunk, which meant she was likely to slip and drown in the ocean. Lance’s protective instincts suddenly went into high alert, and he sprinted the last short distance to where the woman stood.
    “Ma’am!” he yelled out. “Ma’am! Are you all right?”
    The woman spun around, her eyes wide, and that’s when Lance’s heart froze in his chest.
    It was Caroline.
    She didn’t appear to be drunk or high, although her face did darken a bit with anger when she saw Lance.
    “Lance? What are you doing here?” she yelled out, her voice barely audible over the roaring of the wind and waves.
    “I could ask you the same thing,” he yelled back, wading out into the water next to her. “Why are you standing in the ocean in the middle of a storm? This is incredibly dangerous. One strong gust of wind could stir up a wave that knocks you over and drags you out to sea.”
    Even in the darkness, he could see her roll her eyes at him. “I’m working,” she yelled. “I do this all the time. It’s where I get the inspiration for my paintings.”
    “If you do this all the time, then you’re really lucky that you haven’t drowned. I’m nervous just watching you,” Lance yelled, a frown etched into his face. It was true. His heart had started pounding in his chest from the adrenaline flooding through his body. All of his senses were on high alert as he watched Caroline swaying precariously back and forth from the force of the wind and water. She was so beautiful that it made his chest tighten up just to look at her. Even drenched, there was no escaping how exquisite she was. Her sexy curves, smooth skin, and long hair made up the perfect package.
    Caroline crossed her arms and frowned back at him. “Well, then, be nervous if you want to,” she yelled. “But I don’t need anyone worrying about me or looking out for me. I can take care of myself. Why are you stalking me, anyway? I would have thought that the fact that I didn’t answer your letter was enough of a hint that I’m not interested in you.”
    Lance’s heart sank. So she had received the letter, and just chosen not to answer. And now he was standing here looking suspiciously like he was following her around, even though his running into her out here had been a total accident. “I’m not stalking you. I couldn’t sleep and went for a run. I only live a few miles from here, so it’s not that strange that I’m out for a run on this beach. It’s just a coincidence that I ran into you. You should know all about coincidences, since it was just a coincidence that you painted a man who looks exactly like me.”
    Lance couldn’t keep the bitterness and sarcasm out of his voice, and he regretted the words as soon as he spoke them. He saw a shadow pass over Caroline’s eyes, and her frown deepened.
    “Fine. It’s a coincidence that you’re here. You know what’s not a coincidence? The fact that I put your card in the shredder as soon as I saw what it said. I’m not interested in a relationship, Lance. Especially not with someone who doesn’t believe me when I say my paintings weren’t modeled after him.”
    Lance sighed, and rubbed his eyes, which were starting to sting from all the saltwater being sprayed at them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But I promise I’m not stalking you. I sent that card because I really like you, and I was hoping for a chance to show you that. I spent a lot of time searching for you, and, even though you say you’re not interested, I can’t help but notice that destiny seems to keep bringing us together.”
    Lance saw a strange look pass over her face, and for a moment he thought that she might be softening her stance toward him.