The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl

(Chapter song ‘Fireball' by Pitbull)

BASTIAN

It's about a twenty-minute drive from the pack house across town to the tiny home where Sammy lives.

When I pulled my car in behind her beat up truck, I breathed a sigh of relief that she was home. My wolf even died down a bit. This is totally going to work. I can feel it.

As I step out, I look the property over. It looks different in the day. The paint on the house is cracked and chipped in some places. The lawns have a slight weed problem, but they’re cut and there’s only simple bushes around the house.

To my left, is a one car garage. It's a tight fit for a car. On the side door is a sign that reads ‘Sam’s Designs’. I casually walk over to the door and peek in one of the windows.

Inside is a well-decorated, but tiny office. I look over all her books and things. I think of how well they’ll look in my pack house.

“Can I help you?”

I spin around in the gravel to a man who’s wiping his hands on a dish cloth. He has blonde hair and that dad look. He’s wearing a blue golf shirt and jeans. He seems muscular and I think I’ve seen his face before.

His brows shoot up as he tosses the dish cloth on his shoulder. “Oh…Alpha…” He steps out and shuts the door behind him. He stiffens up and starts to straighten his clothes.

I put on a charming smile, place my hands behind my back and approach him. This looks like Sam's father. “Please. Don’t fuss.”

He looks to my car and back at me. “What brings you around here?”

“I’m looking for Samantha. Is she available? I just want to talk to her for a minute.” I try to relax myself so this man doesn’t pass out. He’s very nervous.

“She’s inside.” He motions me to the house. “My name’s Dale. You'll have to forgive the house. We don’t entertain Alphas very often.”

I chuckle. “Please call me Bastian.” I step into the less than roomy foyer and it’s not really what I expected. It’s clean, organized and something that you’d think of when describing a family home. Pictures on the walls, humble furniture and a simple kitchen. “It’s a lovely home.” I say as I stand in the hall.

“It's no mansion, but it’s nice enough neighborhood.” He says. “Lemonade?”

“Please.” I study the pictures of Sammy and her brother on the walls.

He comes back with a glass and hands it to me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He crosses his arms. “I really think it’s great that you picked Sammy to do your decorating. If anyone deserves it, it’s that girl right there.” He smiles.

“She's very talented. I’m surprised she was available to me.” I say then sip my glass.

He scratches his head. “Well, it wasn’t looking to good for a while. It’s the sign of the tough times around here, but my little girl managed to pull herself out.”

“Tough times?” I look at him with confusion.

He smiles. “I’ll take you up to Sammy. This way.”

I knew Sammy was struggling with her business, but they way her father said it, it sounds a lot worse than I thought. I guess my surprise couldn’t come at a better time.

We climb the carpeted stairs and when we get to the top, I’m in a short hall with four doors. One is bathroom and the others must be rooms. I start to feel really cramped. I definitely couldn’t live in a house this small.

As we walk down the hall I see a short set of three gouges in the wall. They look like claw marks, but don’t at the same time. Did someone’s wolf lose control?

There’s an open door at the end of the hall and I’m hit with the scent of gardenias. That faint alien scent also blends with it and I feel a little light headed.

“Sammy? Someone's here to see you.”

I step in and an ear to ear grin fills my face when my eyes catch hers. I had to chuckle because she looks about the same as when I first laid eyes on her. Still just as beautiful and covered in paint. She’s absolutely stunning.

“Bastian.” She breathes.

She’s sitting on the bed with, who I assume to be her mother. She also has dirty blonde hair and also a beautiful woman. If I didn’t know Sammy was adopted, I would say that’s white she gets her looks from. But Dylan looks like both of them.

Her mother quickly stands, fixes her clothes and glides across the to me. “Alpha… What a pleasant surprise. Um… What brings you to our home?” She glances back at Sammy.

Sam slowly stands. “Yes…What are you doing here?”

I look over the entire family. “I was in the neighborhood and decided to visit.” I try to contain myself as my wolf completely quiets at the sound of her voice. God, this is amazing.

“In the neighborhood.” She walks to us and joins her mother’s side. Her tone suggests she doesn’t believe me. It was lame. I’ll admit that.

Her mother holds out her hand. “I’m Karen. Sammy’s mother.” She smiles more as I shake her hand. “I must say this is quite the honor. To take time out of your day to visit Sammy. You really are a kind man.”

“Thank you. I must say, Sam has wonderful parents. You've done a fine job in raising her.” I compliment.

“Oh. Thank you.” She giggles as she nervously touches her hair. Her cheeks light up and she looks to her husband.

“Karen. Let’s give them some privacy.” Dale motions his mate to the door.

“Yes. Of course. Alpha.” She bows.

“Bastian. I insist.” I correct.

“Bastian.” She breathes as Dale leads her out.

“Nice meeting you.” Dale waves as he closes the door.

“Nice meeting you, too.” I wave back.

As soon as the door is closed, Sammy rushes up to me. “What are you doing here?”

I walk past her and look around. “It’s weird. This is exactly how I pictured your room to look like. I love it”

“Bastian.” She says a little more harshly.

When I spy her paintings, I hold up a hand to her. I knew I’d see them and I am not disappointed. They are exquisite. “My God.” I head straight to the stack of canvases.

Before I can reach for them, she jumps in front of me. “No, Bastian. Don’t.” She puts her arms out to the side to block me.

I lean to her and smirk. “It’s just a tiny peek. Relax.”

I gently push her out of the way and walk to the stack.

“Bastian.” She tries to protest, but I hold a finger up to her lips.

“Shush.” I politely demand. “I'm critiquing.”

I squat down to the canvasses and flip through them. I pull out a field with trees and the foothills of Black Rock. “Oh, I have to have this. This would look amazing in the ballroom."

She rips it from my hand and holds it behind her back. “No, Bastian! My paintings are not for display. Do you hear me?!” She practically stamps her foot and glares.

I eye her as the corner of my lip turns up. “You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”

“Bastian!!”

I hold a finger to her when I see a painting on her easel that's covered in a cloth. “What’s under here? New work?”

I go to lift it and she slaps my hand. “Ow!” I pull it back with a scowl.

She points at me with an angry face. “Hands off!” She gets between me and the painting. “Bastian, what are you doing here?” She flops her arms out to the side.

I stand tall and meet her gaze. “I came to visit.”

“Ugh!” She spins me around.

“Hey!” I scowl as she shoves me to the door. “Stop manhandling me.”

She shoves on me harder. “You stop! You can visit some other time. I’m on vacation!”

“Wait!” I spin back around and lightly shove her back. She looks me over with angered confusion. “I have a surprise for you back at the pack house. I was going to show you when you got back, but the excitement is killing me. I need to show you now.”

“Bastian. I’m trying to relax here.” She whines.

“An hour, tops, then you can relax all you want.” I search her face. “Please.”

She heaves a breath. “Fine.” She grabs her jacket. “Lead the way.” She waves me out of her room.

After saying goodbye to her parents, I walk her to my car. I lift the passenger car door and help her in. I’ve had countless women in this car, but none radiate in it as much as she does. Blue is a good color on her. Let’s see how much she likes power.

I get in my side and she turns to me. “This car is as much as my house!”

“I like Lambos.” I shrug and turn the engine on. It roars to life and I glance over at her. She’s stiff and I see her fist clench. She’s a little scared, but I’ll warm her up.

I reverse out of the driveway onto the road. I put it in drive and hit the gas. The car did exactly what I love. It took off.

“Whoa!” She gasps and her hands hit the seat edge and the door.

I chuckle as I one hand the steering wheel. The scenery speeds by as I drive into the downtown area.

“It’s…um…fast.” She side eyes me.

“Yep.” I glance at her with a smirk.

As I turn down a street, she’s still stiff and her knuckles are turning white. I ease off until she seems to relax and keep that speed.

“So…What’s this surprise?” She folds her hands in her lap and looks out the windshield.

“You’ll see. It took three days to make it just right. I’m hoping it’s perfect, but you can change it if you don’t like it.” I answer as I watch the road and whip around a slow Civic.

She turns her head to me and her luscious brown hair flows out around her head. She squints her eyes and looks me over. “What did you do?”

I lean to her. “Patience.”

She sits back and blows a lock of hair. Fuck, she’s adorable.

****

Tiny electric shocks go up into my hands as I walk behind her while I cover her eyes. I'm starting to really like the small amount of tingling I get when I touch her. It only adds to the addiction of Samantha Gale. What’s even more amazing is I haven’t even slept with her yet, and I still love everything we do together.

"Bastian... What is this?" She asks.

"Almost there." I lead her down the office hall and stop at the door that will surely change both our lives.

"Ok." I take my hands off.

After a second, she turns to face me and folds her arms. "It's a door."

I lean my face close to hers with a grin and dreamy eyes. "Open it." I instruct quietly.

She huffs at me and turns. She slowly opens the double doors to the bright office and her jaw drops.

She takes small, slow steps into the room and I'm beaming behind her.

She walks to the center of the room and turns. "Bastian. It's beautiful.

I get close. "It's yours."

She crinkles her brow and tilts her head. "Mine? What do you mean mine?" She questions as she points to her chest.

"You, Samantha Gale, are now the new pack house interior decorator. I'm hiring you full time and you will run your business from here." I raise my chin and smile.

I walk to her desk and pick up a paper package. I walk it over and hand it to her. "All your staff will join you. You run an independent name, but your main client will be me. And I will be like your landlord. Here's the contract. I'm sure you'll see everything is in order and I'll pay you, of course.

She takes the contract. "Bastian. I can't take this."

"Yes, you can. I'm impressed by you and I can't lose you as a decorator. Your talents are just what this pack house needs." I walk over to the door. "I'll have Sam's Designs put on the door first thing tomorrow morning."

"This is sweet, but I like my office in my garage." She tries to hand the package back.

"Sam. Please. Let me give this to you. You've put up with my selfish ass for so long now. Let me make it up to you. You can't tell me your garage office is better than here." I close the gap between us and push the brown envelope back into her chest.

She turns and walks around the room. She knows it's much bigger and she'll have everything she needs.

She turns back around and smiles the cutest smile I have ever seen. "Ok. I'll take it. You better not be messing with me." She wags her finger as she walks up to me.

I shake my head. "Nope. Once you sign the contract, you can move in."

She goes to the table, signs where she's supposed to and hands it back me with slightly shaking hands. "Oh my God! I work at the pack house!" She grins a toothy grin while doing little hops on her toes.

"Congratulations. I know you’ll be a welcomed addition.” I walk her to the door and pull out my phone. “Whiled I file this and contact legal, I’ll have a car drop you off at home. You need to start packing right away.”

I start down the hall and she jogs up beside me.

“Excuse me?” She look up at me and stops me.

“You need to pack. You don't need to pack your whole room. Just clothes and a few other things. Everything else will be provided for you." I say as put my phone to my ear.

"Wait. I'm moving in?" She crosses her arms and cinches her brow.

"Of course. All my staff live here. It's a requirement to work for me." I grin. “Don’t worry everything business wise will be carefully transferred.”

"You never said anything about me living here, Bastian." She shoots me an angry look and I can’t help but get even more happy about my decision.

I turn and start down the hall. "It's on page 2 of the contract."

She pulls out the contract and reads it. She jogs up and stops me again. "You tricked me." She glares as she holds up the contract and I take it from her.

"No." I shake my head. "You should read before you sign." I smirk. "I'll call the moving company. I'll also bring a car around to take you home.

"Bastian!”

I press a finger to her lips. "Shush. I'm on the phone." I wiggle my fingers saying bye to her as she folds her arms and stares me down. I lift my chin. “Yes. I need a moving van, please… Yes, I’ll hold.”

I walk away from Sam and hear a growl come from behind me.

She'll get over it, eventually. Now, I can celebrate having my sensual decorator under my roof at all times.

My life is so fucking perfect.