Her Alpha CEO

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Blurb:

An alpha male, billionaire, interracial romance story. Bookstore owner Nina Jacobs is quite satisfied with her low-drama life. And she’s completely unaware of the adventure that awaits her! She has had her fair share of flings before…

So when she finds herself spending the night with CEO billionaire Brian Guidice, she figured it wouldn’t be any different… It’s not like a billionaire would ever want to settle down with a normal woman like her, right? Yet, despite all odds their connection grows stronger.

But they will face challenges that will not only ruin their blossoming relationship, but also Brian’s company! And Nina has to wonder… Is Brian as serious about forming a relationship as she is? Or is he going to end up breaking her heart? Discover now in this alpha male romance novel by Charlene Dixon.

Chapter 1

Nina Jacobs watched the man surreptitiously from behind the cash register. He’d been lurking in the psychology section for almost 15 minutes, long enough to make her wonder whether he was looking for something or hiding from someone.

She’d considered going over to offer him some help, but there was something about his smart business suit and the look of supreme confidence he’d worn when he entered the store that stopped her. In her experience, men like that didn’t take kindly to offers of help from store clerks.

“Would you like me to wrap that for you, ma’am?” Nina turned her attention back to a customer, efficiently wrapping up the children’s books she’d helped her choose for her nephew’s third birthday.

“Have a lovely day. Bye!” As the woman left the shop, Nina sighed. The man was still standing in the psychology section, but his look of assurance had been replaced by an expression of perplexity akin to a child who’d lost his parents in the park.

Taking a breath, Nina tossed her braids over her shoulder, the colourful beads clicking as they smacked against each other. She entered the row where he stood, pasted a smile on her face and walked up to him with a confidence she didn’t quite feel.

“May I help you find something, sir?” She fought the urge to giggle as he turned to her with an almost comical expression of relief.

“Yes, please,” his eyes flicked to her name badge, “Nina.” He met her eyes and Nina caught her breath. His were a deep cobalt blue, lit with wry amusement as he shoved a hand through his already messy hair. The ash blonde curls would have looked ridiculous atop his head, were it not for his aquiline nose and strong jaw, lined with a faint afternoon stubble. The man was ridiculously gorgeous. He was also still talking, Nina realised as he gestured to the shelf of books in front of him.

“I’m sorry, you said you were trying to choose a book from the psychology section as a birthday present? For a woman?”

Brian felt a flush creeping up his neck as Nina stared at him in obvious disdain. He hastened to correct her obvious mistaken impression.

“Yes. For my sister, Jennifer. She’s a psychologist. It’s her birthday party this evening, and as per usual, I’ve left it to the last minute to get her gift. She mentioned something about a series of books she’d like for her practice, but I can’t for the life of me remember what they were. I just assumed it was something to do with her work.”

“Oh!” Nina’s face lit up and Brian caught himself staring. Her skin was smooth and dark, like rich ebony wood, and although her bookstore uniform was plain and functional, it fit her well, showing off her generous curves in just the right places. Her long braids were tied with brightly colored beads and shells, and he curled his fingers into his palms to resist reaching out to touch them.

She reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t think who. He watched the animated expressions chase themselves across her face as she spoke, revealing a surprising depth of knowledge about psychology and the authors that contributed to the section.

Finally, when he had paid for the collection of classics bound in soft leather embossed in gold, and she was wrapping it for him, Brian made the decision to ask her the question he’d been contemplating since she’d first started discussing the merits of various psychological studies.

“Nina, I really appreciate your help in choosing this for Jenny. I’m sure she’s going to love the gift.”

Nina’s smile widened and she looked down shyly. “It’s a pleasure, sir.”

“Please, call me Brian. ‘Sir’ makes me feel so old.” He grinned at her, and swore that she was blushing, though her skin hid the telltale signs. She handed him the package over the counter, refusing to meet his gaze.

“Here you go…Brian. I hope you have fun at the party tonight.” Nina smiled shyly, already turning her attention to the customers waiting behind him. He stopped her with a hand on her wrist.

“Come with me.”

“Excuse me?” She looked up at him in shock, her deep brown eyes widening with momentary fright.

“Tonight. To my sister’s party. Come with me. It’ll be fun.” His eyes shone as he smiled at her. Beneath his fingers he felt her pulse speed up. “Say yes, Nina.” She hesitated, glancing over his shoulder at the customers behind him. “I’m not leaving until you agree.” Brian let go of her and stood against the counter, calmly prepared to wait until she accepted his invitation.

“Do you always get your own way?” Nina’s eyebrow quirked as she crossed her arms, glaring at him. His smug expression should have annoyed her. Instead she struggled to control the laugh that bubbled in her chest as he replied.

“Of course.”

She rolled her eyes, secretly relishing his attention, though she was aware of the other customers shifting impatiently as they waited for him to leave.

“Okay, fine. I’ll come tonight. What’s the address?” She handed him a piece of paper and he jotted it down, reading the untidy scrawl out loud to make sure she could read his writing.

“I’ll see you tonight, Nina. Seven-thirty.” He waved, heading out the door with an arrogant swagger that made her lips twitch.

It was only when she’d served the last customer that she realized he’d left his sister’s gift on the counter. Her eyes narrowed. The sneaky son of a… She was sure he’d done it on purpose, but she was stuck now. She had his address, but not his number. She’d have to go tonight, if only to make sure his sister got her carefully chosen birthday gift.

As Nina hid the package behind the counter, she couldn’t help the secret thrill that raced through her. She would never admit it, but she was looking forward to seeing Brian again that evening.

*****

Nina pulled her car into the driveway, parking behind the long line of high-class sports models and German-manufactured vehicles. She peered out the windscreen at the house, which loomed over her, lit from top to bottom and emanating an aura of casual disregard for the extravagance.

Aware that her jaw had dropped open, she snapped it shut, looking down at her simple outfit, which suddenly felt out of place. She pulled the slip of paper out of her purse, double-checking the address.

1309 La Rue Avenue. Definitely the right place. With a shrug, she grabbed the gift-wrapped parcel off the passenger seat and climbed out, slamming the door of her old Ford behind her. Music was echoing from the open windows, the strains of classical instruments beautifully recorded.

Nina was particularly fond of classical music, but she didn’t recognize the orchestra from the music that was playing and made a mental note to ask Brian when she found him. She often downloaded music to play in the background of the bookstore, or at home. Her musical preferences ranged from classical, to heavy metal, and hip hop, depending on her mood. Favorites for the shop were soundtracks from movies and games.