Devlin Dynasty 2: Fall Fury (3 page)

This first meeting wasn’t going at all the way she had planned.

So much for gaining the upper hand.

* * * * *

Max held tight to Shannon’s hand, ignoring the wind rushing around him.

He was mesmerized by the stray sable hairs that had come loose, whippingagainst her face. But she didn’t budge, just kept trying to pull her hand free.

Damn, she was gorgeous. More so than in the pictures he’d seen. Her tan suitcomplemented her skin, and a creamy silk blouse underneath the jacket ruffled inthe gusts she’d created, revealing the upper swell of her breasts.

He was having a difficult time keeping his burgeoning erection from poking rightthrough his suit. Thankfully, his jacket covered the evidence.

This woman was a power to be reckoned with. She had magic, that was obvious,because the gale force winds smacking him in the face right now sure as hellhadn’t come from him. He felt the magic course through her, had felt it from themoment she’d walked through the doorway, as if whatever secrets she held insidemagnetized him, telling him more about her than a normal man would ever know.

A normal human male, anyway. He wasn’t human and his powers certainlyweren’t normal.

Shannon was beautiful, strong, obviously capable and really pissed off right now. He had to admire the fact that she wasn’t the slightest bit afraid to show heranger. A clear attempt at establishing who was in charge here. Shannon was aperfect alpha female.

No doubt about it, he wanted her. Never before had a woman captured his interestso quickly. Her intense gaze fixed on his and held, her anger evident in the wayher eyes narrowed, turning a tempestuous blue.

Max heard voices outside the conference room. Immediately, the wind died andhe released her hand, then brushed his hair back and straightened his jacket. Shannon’s face burned a bright red, her irritation still evident.

“What was that?” he asked, although he suspected he already knew the answer.

“Problems with the air conditioning system. Blows a major gasket every now and

then and it’s like a wind tunnel in here. I’ll alert the maintenance staff.”

Good recovery, which meant she could think on her feet. She quickly turnedaway, smoothed her hair into place and smiled when a group of people came in.

“Are we late, or are you early?” A tall man approached, hand outstretched.

“You must be Logan. I’m Max Devlin, and yes, I’m early. You’re right on time.”

“I see you’ve already met my sister, Shannon.”

“Indeed I have,” Max said. Shannon nodded and offered a tight smile. Max wanted to laugh at her discomfort, but also knew that making a good impression on the Storms was paramount to a successful launch of his New Orleans business.

A lovely woman with hair the color of raven’s wings stepped up. Shorter than Shannon, her smile was filled with a welcoming warmth. “We’re so glad youarrived safely, Max. I’m Kaitlyn Storm.”

Her hand slipped gently inside his and he felt her quiet, calm strength. This onewas much less volatile than her sister. “A pleasure, Kaitlyn.”

Max spotted Melissa Cross, who walked in with a tall man by her side. That hadto be Aidan Storm, her fiancé. She shook his hand and said, “Welcome to New Orleans, Max. Nice to have another of the Boston contingent here.”

“And I’m Aidan Storm, Lissa’s better half.”

Max laughed. “Well, you’re a pretty formidable group.”

Logan nodded. “So we’ve been told. But no one here bites. Although Shannonhas been known to chew up and spit out a few people in her time.”

“Logan!” Shannon said, casting a vehement glare in her brother’s direction.

A very tight family. And a powerful one, too. Max’s senses went into overdriveas he picked up on the magic contained within each of the Storm siblings. Itseemed that they each held control over the elements of nature. Heat, ice, wind,rain, lightning, all of it very potent. No wonder his blood had fired to life when hewas offered the chance to work with them. His sixth sense told him there wassomething special about the Storm family. He’d just had no idea what it was untilhe actually stood in a room with them.

Good thing he wasn’t easily intimidated. A weaker man would cower under suchsuperior strength of will.

But he wasn’t weak. Nor was he interested in establishing dominance over any ofthe Storms.

Except for Shannon. He and Shannon had a connection, one that she wasobviously uncomfortable with. Good. Keeping her off balance was a start. Tiltingher world completely upside down would come later. Right now, business was hisnumber one priority.

Tea and water were brought in, and they all chatted amiably. The get-to-know-

you part of any business venture.

“Have you had a chance to look over the campaign?” Logan asked.

“Yes. You have some great ideas and a really good start on a dynamite public relations program.” He looked to Shannon, who lifted a brow as if she hadn’t expected the compliment.

“Shannon’s good at her job,” Kaitlyn said. “She’s run some amazing programs for the hotel as a whole, along with taking separate functions, such as my events planning, and promoting them throughout the southern states.”

Melissa turned to him and grinned. “Shannon’s PR program for the hotel/casinoventure is very good.”

He’d just bet it was. “Glad to hear that. I’ll make it better.”

“That’s a pretty arrogant statement,” Aidan said, crossing his arms.

Max knew this was coming. “Yes, it is. But I back up what I say with results. Nooffense to Shannon at all. You’ve made a great start. Now it’s time to refine it,improve it, and take it out there across the country. Whatever your PR plan wasfor Louisiana and the surrounding states, I’ll improve it so that you can promotenationally.”

Shannon tapped her pencil against the dark wood of the table, the annoyingcadence the only sound in the room. It was as if her family was poised andwaiting for the explosion they knew was coming.

Max expected it. Hell, he welcomed it.

Finally, she looked at him, her eyes as cool as he wished the weather was. “I thinkyou’re full of shit. There’s not a damn thing wrong with The Rising Storm’spublic relations campaign.”

“Afraid of a little constructive criticism? Concerned that I might come up with a

better idea?”

“I’m not afraid, nor am I concerned. I simply think you have your head up your

ass and haven’t done your research.”

“What if I’ve done thorough research and still think I can improve your plan? Are you so conceited about your work that you wouldn’t even take a look at what I have to offer?”

Her eyes widened, then shot icy daggers across the table at him. Max remainedrelaxed, enjoying a battle more than anything. This was positioning of the alphas. Her against him. And he intended to come out the winner. It was just a matter oftime before Shannon realized that. However, since she didn’t yet know about him,he’d give her a little time to adjust before he attacked.

She looked around the table at her siblings, then shrugged. “You’re here, although

I didn’t ask for you. I’ll take a look at what you have.”

He tried to prevent the grin of pure satisfaction that threatened to break out on hisface, but had one hell of a time masking the triumph he felt.

Logan stood and smiled at Max. “Well, damn fine job passing the Storm test.

We’re not an easy bunch and speak our mind.”

“I’ll take an honest gut reaction over a load of bullshit any day. I don’t mind a

little battle every now and then. Keeps the blood moving.”

Logan grinned. “You’ll do just fine here.”

Shannon snorted and mumbled something about arrogant assholes under herbreath. She assumed he couldn’t hear, but then again, she didn’t know about hisultra keen senses.

The rest of them said their goodbyes, agreeing to meet later in the week after he’dhad a chance to go over the plan with Shannon.

She started to walk out, but he wanted some time alone with her, and didn’t wantto wait. “Shannon.”

She stopped, her shoulders tensing. Good, he wanted her riled up a bit. He likedher that way. She turned, arching a brow. “There’s more? I thought for sure you’dshot your entire wad of insults about my work in one conversation.”

“I didn’t insult your work; I just said it could stand some improvements.”

“You’re an arrogant bastard, aren’t you?”

He smiled. “So I’ve been told.”

“On a regular basis, I assume?”

Damn she was a fireball. Just the kind of mate he needed, the kind of woman he’dwant to rule beside him. Strong, capable, take no prisoners. “More often than not,yeah. But I didn’t get to the position I’m in now without pissing a few people offin the process.”

“You’ve done a fine job for your first day. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

“Have dinner with me.”

She opened her mouth and he knew the word “no” was going to come sailing out.

But then she surprised him by asking, “Why?”

“Because I don’t want you to think I’m a prick all the time.” Which was true. He

wanted her to know he was in charge, but not a prick.

The corners of her mouth lifted in a slight smile. “Don’t shatter my illusions ofyou, Max. I prefer thinking you’re a prick all the time.”

“Well, I love to prove people wrong. Have dinner with me. I just got into town and have no idea where to eat. You wouldn’t want me to sample the wrong Cajun food, would you?”

She rolled her eyes and glanced at her watch. “I’m busy.”

“You have to eat.”

“I already have a mother. Don’t need another one.”

“Where’s that southern hospitality I keep hearing about?”

She let out a disgusted sigh. Ah yes, he knew that would get her. She looked himup and down, regarding him as if she wasn’t sure she could trust him.

If she were smart, she’d run like hell, because he sure wasn’t trustworthy where

she was concerned. No way could he keep his hands to himself.

“Fine. Give me an hour to wrap things up and I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

Max admired the slight sway to her hips as she turned and walked out. Subtle, butdefinitely there. Her legs were long and shapely, and he’d wager a guess she waseither a runner or a tennis player. Good. She could run with the pack easily then.

After he converted her, after he claimed her as his.

His balls tightened, his cock springing to life at the thought of making Shannon

Storm his mate.

Whether she liked it or not, they shared a destiny. He was patient in some areas,not in others. Considering he was already primed and ready for sex, his patiencewas going to run out quickly where she was concerned.

Time to put his plan into action.

Chapter Two

Shannon paced the lobby and waited for Max, annoyed at herself for so readilyagreeing to go out to dinner with him.

As if she wanted to spend time with the overbearing, conceited Yankee, anyway,let alone outside the normal business day.

She spotted him exiting the elevator at the other end of the lobby. He stopped tospeak to Logan as he passed by the door to the corporate offices.

“He’s hot, isn’t he?”

She turned to see Kaitlyn peering around her. “He’s okay.”

Kaitlyn stepped in front of her, her amber eyes widening. “Then you’re blind,
soeur douce
. He is perfection. Has to be a couple inches over six foot tall, wideshoulders, narrow hips, broad chest. And those eyes. I swear I’ve never seen eyessuch a mesmerizing color.”

“Like I said. He’s okay.” And that was all she’d admit to, otherwise she’d be bound and gagged and headed to the altar within twenty-four hours. Kaitlyn was as much a matchmaker as their mother.

“He’s more than okay. And clearly he’s attracted to you.”

Shannon crossed her arms and turned her attention toward her sister and awayfrom Max. “Oh right. Insulting me in the first ten minutes of our meeting was adefinite clue that he has the hots for me.”

“He’s an aggressive alpha male, Shan. You know the type. God knows we’ve

dated plenty. Most are assholes. Max isn’t like that, I can tell already.”

“Uh huh. What was your first clue? His incredible charm, or the way he slammed

me in front of all of you?”

“He didn’t slam you at all. Appeared to me as if he was teasing you. Playfully. Even challenging you to see if you could stand up to him. I think you two would make a good match. I feel something between…”

Shannon held up her hand before Kaitlyn could utter another word. “Do
 
not
 
tellme he’s my destiny or I swear I will let out a scream that will bring this hoteldown around us.”

Kaitlyn held up her hands in mock surrender. “Ohhhkay. I won’t say it. But if

Mom was here…”

“Mom isn’t here. And Max Devlin is not my destiny. For God’s sake, I haven’t even known him a day. You and Mom are too quick to jump on this destiny thing.”