Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Then why not? Why don’t we give this a chance? I don’t know if you only want to be a mate in front of the pack, but I don’t want that. I want to be a mate with you for real.”
She opened her mouth and closed it, a little shocked he was saying exactly what she was feeling.
The sound of water spilling out of a pan had her pulling away and pointing. Words failed her.
Landon cursed and rushed to the pan, taking the lid off and then checking the potatoes. The knife slid straight through, and he drained it.
Being a mate to Landon wouldn’t be hard, not at all. In fact, the very thought of it made her smile. “I’d like that,” she said, and Landon turned toward her. “I’d like for us to try being mates.”
She had no idea if it would work, or if it would even last, but there was certainly no harm in trying.
****
No one could put him in a bad mood.
Last night, Landon made a wonderful meal for them, and he made a note to thank his mother when he saw her. After their divine food, they’d enjoyed a shower, and he’d gotten the chance to explore every single inch of her beautiful body.
There wasn’t a part of Alexa he didn’t adore. He hungered for her.
Even now as she was crouched down, talking to a little girl while he handled a repair to one of the doors, he wanted her.
At least this time, with kids around, he was able to keep himself in check.
“I see you and Alexa are making things work,” Drew said.
Of all the people he was working with today, he hadn’t wanted it to be Drew. He hadn’t seen Ben in a while.
His father was supposed to be here, but he’d sent Drew, whose dad was in construction. He’d delivered the new hinges and door. The old one had been completely torn off the doorframe.
“Yeah, we are.”
“You know, I didn’t think you two were going to make a go of it,” Drew said.
He pulled his gaze away from Alexa to look at Drew. “People change.”
“You know, I got to see Cheryl. She misses you and she is sorry for what she did to Alexa, but she felt that you were too blinded.”
“Enough,” Landon said. “I never gave her any idea that we would be more than friends. I know you and Ben have been with her as well, so don’t try to guilt me on this.” He wasn’t going to be fooled by Cheryl.
Alexa felt bad for the other woman, he got it, but at the same time, she didn’t know, nor did the pack know, the lengths Cheryl would go to get what she wanted. Even now, he had a sense there was a game at play.
Drew’s mouth fell open. “You knew about that?”
Landon snorted. “Knew? I also saw it, man. Do you think I give a shit where you stick your dick? I don’t, unless it’s in my mate, and you’re not going near Alexa. I don’t know what Cheryl’s asking you to do, but I warn you, man, if it comes between Alexa and me, then you and I are through. Got it?”
“Whoa, dude. I have no idea what you—”
“Cut the crap. I wasn’t born yesterday, and I know about Cheryl. I know she wants to be the alpha’s mate. I know she’ll do whatever it takes to get there.” It was why he’d been distracting Alexa.
He had no proof of his suspicions when it came to Cheryl. Just instinct, and of course knowing her the way he did. She wasn’t a good person. People were pitying her now, and to a point, he got it, but he knew when he was being played, or attempted to be played. He didn’t see it before, but it was clear to him now.
“Dude, do you want me to hold this for you?” Drew asked. “I know you can’t lift too heavy of an item.”
He’d told Ben and Drew how he’d been weakening.
This time though, he grabbed the door from Drew. It didn’t weigh a thing as he held it in place, lined up the hinges, and got to work fixing the door. Once he was done, he looked at Drew, hoping the guy would take a hint and leave him the fuck alone.
He folded the ladders together and took them back to the supply closet. Then he shook the teacher’s hand, who thanked him, and went to find Alexa, who was on the mat, reading to a bunch of kids.
At first, he wasn’t quite sure what to do. He’d spent a great deal of time watching Alexa. Not closing that distance between them, but they weren’t like that anymore.
They’d agreed to giving mates a try, and he didn’t have to stay away from her.