Chapter Two

 

Peter Alden nodded in agreement, not entirely sure what the project manager had been saying to him for the past twenty minutes plus. He’d been on the job as the head carpenter, and as the unofficial, acting trades foreman for Covington Properties for several months. The work had been steady, paid well and offered little complications to his already complex life. Add to that the stellar view of the Rocky Mountains and one of the most sought-after communities in the Denver metro area, the possibilities for advancement and bonuses were very probable.

Despite the endless perks of the job, he had been having a hard time concentrating all morning. The night before he’d slept restlessly, with only a few hours maximum. He hadn’t been able to get a woman off his mind. A woman who he hadn’t laid eyes on until the week before.

Last night he’d stumbled across her innocently enough. A long day at work had called for a dip in the area’s hidden gem. The lake, just behind the curtain of trees that flanked the upscale community was a magnificent natural wonder, known mostly to area natives. It was the type of concealed surprise that one wouldn’t even know was there if they didn’t know the way to find it. Soon enough the developers would be tearing down trees in an effort to make the area more accessible. But, for now, the beautiful lake was still in its pristine state. Untouched by man and kissed by nature.

It’s crystal clear waters showed off the greys and blues of river rock with the occasional sparkle from the areas famous fool’s gold, pyrite. An Occasional Rainbow Trout could be seen swimming in the deepest parts of the lake. Though the water levels never reached high enough to get past twelve to fifteen feet deep, it still offered a nice place for a dip to those who didn’t mind the crisp cold-water startling one’s senses. Being part man, part tiger offered him the ability to enjoy the cold November skinny dip without freezing his ass off.

After he’d rolled and swam in the water he’d taken a leisurely catnap on the shoreline before heading back to the dirt lot that the construction workers parked in. It was then that he’d first seen her. Her movements swift, and almost fear like, she’d gotten to her car in a hurry before making her way toward the entrance to the community.

Had it been anyone else he might have just disappeared into the shadows. But, he found himself frozen, unable to move once he’d gotten a good look at her.

Her long brown hair might have made any man, or any shifter take a second look. She was, from what he could tell, a beautiful woman. It was her eyes though that drew him in the most. They were striking. Green, sparkling and with such depth that he could stare into them for days.

He’d seen the instantaneous fear that she’d felt. Her wide eyes had betrayed her in that moment. Still, not much time passed before he was able to quell those worries. With his soft and blinking gaze, he’d spoken to her. Not like any man would. But, like only a tiger could.

Those simple and nonconfrontational gestures always seemed to create a calm in humans. And today, as his thoughts kept drifting back to her, he was thankful for that small victory.

“Pete? Hello?” His project manager, Jerry Larsen waved his hands in front of Peter’s face.

“Huh?” he shook his head, not realizing just how lost he’d been in his thoughts.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry. Just not a lot of sleep last night. What were you saying?”

“Shit, man. I don’t have time to go over it all again. I’ve got to meet with the engineer in about thirty minutes.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jerry glanced at his watch. “It’s fine. But, I still have to get this list finished and over to the lady at the sales office.”

Peter’s attention piqued at the mention of the woman who’d kept him awake. “What is the list? I could take it to her for you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sure, man.” Peter placed his hand on Jerry’s shoulder. “Anything I can do to help.”

“That would be great.” Jerry pulled out a sheet from his portfolio and handed it over. “She just needs to know which properties we can definitely deliver before the end of the year, and which ones won’t be ready until around February. I’ve got them coded at the bottom here by what’s left in terms of the different trades.”

“No worries. I got you covered.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll catch you tomorrow.”

“Wait,” Peter stopped him just before he closed the door. “The sales woman, what’s her name?”

Jerry shrugged for a moment and then replied. “Jane. Jane Pratt.”

Peter nodded and waved goodbye as his boss drove away. He did a once over of the crew and made sure everyone was focused on a task. He wanted to be sure everyone was busy while he took his field trip to meet Ms. Pratt because he had no intention of making it a short visit.

One of the electricians came over to him with some questions that seemed rather annoying in that moment. They weren’t unnecessary questions, or anything unusual. They were just enough to keep him from heading in the direction of the office.

With quick answers and all but running away, he was able to free himself of the well-meaning electrician and head in the direction his body was pulling him in.

All morning he’d been trying to come up with an excuse to introduce himself to the pretty brown-haired beauty but hadn’t been able to concoct a reason.

Until now.

Any fatigue he felt diminished. With a bounce back in his step, he folded the paper and placed it in his back pocket on his way down the street to where the path wound its way up to the office, and to Jane Pratt.