An Alpha's Storm (Water Bear Shifters 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

about his job. The entire breadth of the Coast Guard’s search and rescue operations seemed to interest her, and she asked him about everything from what training was like, to what had been the worst rescue he had ever been called to perform. Ordinarily, her questions would have annoyed Brett, but Aubrey’s curiosity seemed more genuine than that of anyone else he had ever talked to about rescue swimming. Probably because she had personal experience with the Coast Guard’s rescue operations.
    After they had made it through most of Aubrey’s questions, and another round of drinks, a petite blonde came bouncing up to the counter and sidled up next to Aubrey. From the tipsy sound of her laugh, the blonde seemed to have had a generous number of beers.
    “Aubrey, don’t be mad, but I’m gonna take off with Jake,” the blonde said.
    Aubrey sighed. “I’m not mad. But who is Jake? The guy you just met a few hours ago? Are you sure it’s safe to go home with him?”
    The blonde giggled. “Don’t be such a worrywart, Aubs. He’s fine. I’ll text you when I get to his place to let you know I’m safe.”
    “All right,” Aubrey said. “Have fun. Don’t forget to text or I’ll come looking for you.”
    The blonde giggled again and ran off, leaving Aubrey shaking her head.
    “You’re just going to let her go like that with a strange guy?”
    Aubrey shrugged. “She does this every time we hang out. I used to try harder to stop her, but it’s useless. And the guys she goes home with always seem to end up being the normal non-murderer types. So I just tell her to text me and let it go. It’s not like I can really do much about it, anyway. She’s a grown-ass woman. I can’t exactly give her a curfew or force her not to talk to strangers, you know?”
    Brett chuckled. “True. Besides, you’re talking to a stranger right now yourself,” he said, winking at Aubrey. He was acting borderline flirtatious and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop himself. Aubrey was too damn beautiful, and the several beers he’d had were lowering his inhibitions.
    Aubrey shook her head no and wagged her finger at him. “Not true. We’ve met before. In the ocean, remember?”
    Brett laughed. “I guess that’s true. And it’s been nice to have a chance to talk to you under calmer circumstances. But you probably want to get out of here now that your friend is leaving, don’t you?” Brett crossed his fingers that Aubrey would tell him that she’d decided to stay for one more round, after all. He didn’t want to give up talking to her just yet. Especially since his plan to find a one night stand obviously wasn’t going to work out. He didn’t want to go home alone just yet. He wanted to sit and have the chance to at least talk to a beautiful woman for a little bit longer.
    But Aubrey wasn’t interested in hanging around any longer. “Oh, god, yes. I’ve been dying to get out of this bar since the moment I set foot in it.”
    Brett’s heart sank. Looks like it was time for him to go home and really face the fact that he was now alone. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Aubrey. Best of luck with your marine biology.”
    Aubrey tilted her head sideways and gave Brett a funny look. “What? You’re not coming with me? You want to stay here with all the crazy tourists?”
    Brett perked up. “I didn’t realize you were going somewhere else after this. Or that I was invited.”
    “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I know a great taco shack down the road. When I’ve had too much to drink, I love to get tacos to-go and then sit on the beach and eat them. That’s where I’m heading right now. And yes, you’re invited.”
    Brett felt his heart leap in his chest. He shouldn’t be this excited about spending time with Aubrey. But she was beautiful, and sweet, and he needed the distraction right now. He would have plenty of time tomorrow to mourn his relationship with Michelle. Right now, he wanted to enjoy cheap tacos