Page 72 of Her Arranged Alpha
"Well, thank you for what you picked for us. It's a big help."
I smiled suddenly, eager to get back out into the woods. I knew I would do a good job since I grew up around someone who knew every plant like the back of her hand.
I arrived home and set my purse down on the side table by the front door. I found Maddox sitting on the recliner. The TV was on, playing a movie, and the room's lights were dimmed.
I walked over and found Maddox asleep. He had a blanket half thrown over himself, his phone was sitting on the arm of thechair, and he had a soda to the right of him. I looked at the time, seeing it was only a little past six.
I reached out, brushing at his hair. I knew that he'd been getting up early and working. He worked hard to make things better for the pack. Even with how busy he was, he still thought about me. I got phone calls and text messages throughout the day.
I had told him I would be out for dinner, but if I hadn't, he would have left a plate out for me, or he'd be cooking dinner.
I reached my hand lower, rubbing my hand over his cheek. I felt my heart skip a beat knowing that I had fallen for him. I loved Maddox so deeply it hurt.
Maddox leaned into my hand and softly sighed. He shifted slightly and his eyes opened slowly. He blinked a few times before looking confused. "What time is it?"
"A little past six," I said, pulling my hand back. "Why don't you go up to bed?"
He sat up slowly and reached for his phone. He rubbed at his eyes. "I should get on my computer. I have some reports to look over."
"Or, you could go to bed and get the sleep your body clearly needs."
Maddox looked at me and then reached a hand out, yanking me onto his lap. He cradled me, kissing my forehead. A small giggle slipped out, and he pulled me tighter. "How was your day?"
"It was good," I said, circling into him. "I had a good day. And tomorrow I get to go pick herbs for the heals."
He raised an eyebrow at me. "That's fun?"
I nodded. "Very much so."
He clicked his tongue and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. I leaned into it, suddenly wanting more of him. But he broke the kiss to yawn, and I knew he needed sleep.
I smiled at him softly. "You need sleep."
He pulled me close. "But I want to be with you."
"I'll come to bed," I offered, knowing I was tired myself anyway. I had spent the morning going over a budget for what we could spend and deciding what to order for some other projects we were going to be working on. My brain was fried after everything.
Maddox pulled us both up and started to carry me up the stairs. I chuckled. "I can walk."
"I know," he said, giving me a flashy smile. "But I like carrying you."
He took us to our bedroom and set me on the bed. He set his alarm for the next morning before crawling under the sheets. He pulled me close to him and nuzzled his head into my neck.
"Tired?" I asked, running my hands through his hair.
He nodded, and I could feel him sinking into the pillow. I smiled, setting my own alarm. I flipped through my phone for a little bit before I could feel his breath growing slower, telling me he was sleeping.
I set my phone aside and curled close to him. His heat radiated through the bed, warming me. I smiled, closing my eyes, allowing sleep to hit me.
I woke the next morning to the sun coming in through the window. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I found Maddox alreadydressed as he stepped into the room. He smiled at me. "Morning, dear."
I grumbled, pulling the pillow closer. Maddox laughed. "Still not a morning person, I see."
"I need coffee," I said.
"I know, which is why there is coffee brewing downstairs for you. I have to head out. Let me know if there is anything you need."
I nodded, peaking out at him from the pillow. Maddox looked perfect, and I felt my heart skip a beat. The words suddenly bubbled to the surface, but I didn't say them. How could I? I knew that things were going well, amazing actually. But how could I admit to loving him when this was all so fresh? We'd only been living together for a couple of months.
