Page 36 of Her Arranged Alpha
I sipped my mug of coffee when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked up from my book and spotted Maddox rounding the corner. My eyebrows went up as I stared at him, taking in his bare chest as he entered the kitchen. Maddox was built like a woman had sculpted him. He had chiseled abs and the perfect pecs. He had muscles everywhere, and my mouth hung open slightly. I looked down at the track of hair that went below his belly button and on.
He ran a hand over his face, making a moan sound. "God, what time is it?"
I swallowed and quickly looked away from him, looking at my phone. "It's a little past 9."
"Fuck," he grumbled, walking over towards the coffee and pouring himself a mug. "I didn't mean to sleep in that late." He looked at me, really looked at me, and I blushed. I kept thinking about how I admitted to sleeping naked, not realizing it.
I shook the moment off and offered a smile. "Well, you did get home late last night."
Maddox and I had found a routine. We were civil with each other and ran into each other mostly in the kitchen in the mornings and in the evening. Maddox was busy with work and Alpha stuff while I focused on going through my personal belongings and finding something more in this town.
"You noticed I came home late?" he asked, tilting his head at me. A small smirk pulled at his lips. "Did you miss me?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, but you weren't quiet when you entered the house. Or did you forget you kind of slammed the door?"
He frowned. "Sorry, it was windy last night and I was trying to catch it, but I wasn't quick enough."
I nodded. "It was fine, I was up anyway."
"Doing what?" he asked, taking a seat at the island. I chewed on my lower lip, watching him. I looked at his hands, how they held onto the mug and the way his knuckles moved.
I shook my head. "I was looking at patio furniture for the backyard."
His eyebrows went up. "I don't really have a backyard."
I nodded. "I'm aware, which is something I plan on changing." I paused, realizing that I had never asked if he was okay with me changing anything. "That is, if you're okay with it?"
He offered me a smile. "I don't mind. You used to do it for a living, so it makes sense you'd want to change mine. It's not really anything but bare land right now, which brings a question. Do you plan on working soon?"
It was a question I had wondered myself. I kind of liked not having to work right now, but I knew I would want to go back to something. I didn't have a degree or anything to use. I had worked for the city and my sister's shop. I made good money. I liked what I did. But I didn't know if I could do that here.
"I haven't exactly thought about it."
"Well, if you ever want to, I know that the city is always looking for help."
I pulled my mug up. "Doing what?"
"Landscaping," he stated. "What you were doing in Frank's pack. You'd be a good addition since you've been doing it already."
I nodded. "I'll think about it."
He rotated his neck and sighed. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for some meetings. What are your plans today?"
"I was thinking of taking a long walk today. Take in nature."
His eyebrows went up. "Is that code word for running away?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, it's a code word for walking. I am still part part-shifter, Maddox. I have the same urges to be in nature as you do."
He paused, tapping his fingers on his mug. "That's true…sorry." He ran a hand over his face. "Alright, I'm going to shower." He left his mug on the counter and turned, heading back up the stairs.
I looked down at my mug, tapping my finger against it. I felt off. This was all so new to me. I didn't know what to say or how to react. It was hard to hate Maddox when he was being kind and considerate.
I finished my coffee, grabbed a bag, and headed out for my walk. I took the pathway I had taken before taking in the neighborhood. There were kids riding their bikes and mothers pushing strollers. People waved, and I offered smiles in return. It was comforting, yet uncertain at the same time. I was thrown by how nice people were being.
I walked off the walking path into the woods and headed deep. I knew better than to try running, but I wanted to at leastget a little further into the trees where I couldn't hear the town or the sound of cars.
Once I knew that I was far enough, I took a deep breath and sighed. I listened to the wind blow and the sound of the leaves going with it. I stared at the emptiness and took in the silence.
