Her Grumpy Alpha

1. Sadie （Six Years Ago）

ONE

SADIE (SIX YEARS AGO)

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the pristine sands of Cancun’s beach. It was a much-needed vacation, a rare escape from the daily grind of the office job that I absolutely hated and couldn’t wait to get out of–as soon as I figured out what I wanted to do instead–and I was loving every single moment of it.

“Why don’t we do this more often?” Charlene asked me with a soft smile. She was the only one in our group who’d stayed on the sands with me while the rest frolicked in the turquoise ocean. “We need to get away like this all the time, am I right?”

I tossed my head back and laughed. “Yeah. I know what you mean. I’d love to go on vacation all the time. But how could we afford it?”

Charlene pouted understandingly. “Yeah, you’re right. I do not earn anywhere near enough to do this all the time. Which actually really sucks because I think it’s good for my soul. I’ll work harder when I get back home, you know?”

I wished I could agree with her, but I didn’t think anything would spark my enthusiasm to work more. Truth be told, nothing in Memphis was sparking any joy in me any longer. I hated living there. I just… I didn’t know where else to go. Just because I’d grown up there and I didn’t know anything else, and of course I had all my high school friends there as well, it was easy for me to remain. But being in Mexico was a stark reminder that there was a big wide world out there, and at some point, I needed to explore it all.

“Oh look, the girls are coming back,” Charlene chuckled. “Soaking wet, the lot of them.”

I slid my sunglasses down and lounged back in my chair, acting all casual on the outside when inside I was a bit of a mess. As my friends chatted animatedly beside me, the sound of the gentle waves lapping at the shore running a lovely background track, all I could think about was that stupid office cubicle that was sucking the life out of me. I needed so much more.

Luckily for now, I had a fruity cocktail in hand which could help me keep my worries at bay. I didn’t want to lose myself in the sadness of home while I was in paradise. And this vacation wasn’t going to be just about relaxing by the beach either. We were going to have a lot of fun. Partying tonight was going to be incredible, wherever we ended up going.

I couldn’t wait to let my hair down and to have a laugh. It had been so long since I’d really blown off some steam, and I seriously needed that. So bad.

Wait a minute… Who the hell is that?

My heart actually stopped beating for a moment as I laid my eyes on him . A stranger I definitely didn’t know, but one who was possibly the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life.

At first, he was just a vague figure on the horizon, walking along the water’s edge. But as he approached, it was impossible not to really notice him. Tall and broad-shouldered, he moved with an easy grace, each step taking him closer to where we were seated. The rays of the setting sun illuminated his features, highlighting his striking profile.

My friends’ voices became a distant murmur as my gaze remained locked on the mysterious man. His skin was kissed by the sun, a warm, golden tan that made him look like he belonged in this tropical paradise. His dark hair was tousled and perfectly imperfect, ruffled by the ocean breeze. Sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose, but they couldn’t hide the intensity of his eyes, a deep shade of pale brown that seemed to hold countless secrets.

As he drew nearer, I couldn’t help but appreciate his strong, chiseled jawline and the faint shadow of stubble that decorated it. A hint of a smile played on his lips, an inscrutable curve that sent a shiver down my spine. My heart quickened its pace, and my palms grew clammy.

“Sadie, are you okay?” Charlene’s voice penetrated my daze, bringing me back to reality.

I blinked, tearing my gaze away from the man who had captured my full attention. “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”

Charlene exchanged a knowing look with another woman in our group, Amanda, who raised an eyebrow. They were my best friends, and they knew me well enough to recognize when something had shaken my usually composed demeanor.

Amanda chuckled softly. “Is someone here about to have a little steamy holiday romance?”

I blushed and sipped my cocktail, trying to hide my growing curiosity about the stranger. “I don’t know, but there’s definitely something intriguing about him. He is hot .”

Charlene laughed. “He sure is. And just your type, Sadie. Although maybe a little bit older than you’re used to.”

Amanda nodded in agreement. “But that’s not a bad thing. It means he might have some experience, am I right? Go talk to him. Have some fun for once. Especially since we leave tomorrow evening. Make the most of it while you’re here.”

“I don’t know. I mean, he might have a girlfriend…” I was hesitant. Mostly because I was way too shy to just go up and talk to him. Even with a bit of Dutch courage careering through my system. “What if he doesn’t want to talk to me?”

“And what if he does?” Charlene laughed. “When are you going to get another shot at this guy? Just go and say hello. You don’t need to ask him to marry you!”

“You’ll likely never see him ever again,” Amanda agreed. “Take the chance while it’s there.”

Their words tugged at me. They were right. This was a vacation, a time to let loose and embrace new experiences. With a newfound resolve, I set my cocktail aside and rose from my beach chair.

“Alright,” I said with a determined smile, trying to ignore the absolute anxiety exploding like mini fireworks all the way through me. Being brave was exactly what I needed to do to try and break out of the rut I’d been living in. This was the perfect time to do that. “I’ll go introduce myself. Wish me luck.”

With the encouragement of my friends spurring me on, I began the short walk toward the mysterious man who had captured my attention. My heart raced with a mix of nerves and anticipation. As I got closer, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was going to be a lot of fun or the most embarrassing mistake of my whole damn life.

I took a deep breath and smoothed down my beach dress as I approached. The beach was a picturesque backdrop for this to turn out to be something incredible, the waves whispering their secrets as I drew nearer to him. I just hoped and prayed I wouldn’t look like an idiot.

He glanced in my direction, his light brown eyes locking onto mine. A hint of a smile played on his lips as I continued to get closer to him, and I could feel a rush of heat creeping up my neck.

“Hi,” I said, attempting to sound casual despite the jittery butterflies in my stomach. “I couldn’t help but notice the incredible view from here. Mind if I join you?”

The man gestured to the empty space next to him on the beach towel, a friendly grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Not at all. It’s always better to enjoy the view with good company.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I settled onto the sand next to him. The sun was casting a warm, reddish-orange glow over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and gold. It was a view that seemed almost as breathtaking as the man sitting beside me.

“I’m Sadie,” I introduced myself, extending my hand. Did that sound casual? I hoped so.

He took my hand in his with a firm, warm grip. “James. Nice to meet you, Sadie.”

“Are you from around here?”

“Oh no.” He shook his head. “Wyoming, actually. How about you?”

“Memphis.”

So, it was unlikely that this could get embarrassing. Not when we lived so far apart. I couldn’t imagine our paths ever crossing in real life. We could do whatever we wanted here.

What happened in Cancun, stayed in Cancun, right?

The conversation flowed effortlessly from there as we discussed our favorite vacation spots, the joys of traveling, and the peace that the ocean brought. I discovered he owned a sawmill and had come to Cancun to take a break from his responsibilities for a little while, just like me. James was charming and surprisingly easy to talk to, considering his gruff appearance.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm, rosy glow across the water, James turned to me. “You know, there’s a beach party happening tonight at a nearby resort. Would you like to come with me?”

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing. A beach party with this intriguing man by my side sounded like an adventure waiting to happen. I really hoped my friends would be up for it as well. “Sure, that sounds like a lot of fun. I’d love to.”

James’ grin widened, his eyes sparkling in the fading sunlight. “Great. I’ll meet you outside the hotel at 8 PM if you want? It’s the Dolphin Hotel. That one right there.”

“8 PM.” I grinned ear to ear. I was going to have to talk my friends into this, no matter what. It really was the chance of a lifetime, and I wanted to take full advantage of that. “I’ll be there.”

His eyes glinted with an exciting promise that I really hoped he could fulfill. This vacation had just gotten a million times better.

The evening was alive with the energy of the beach party, and I could hardly contain my excitement as I made my way to the nearby resort. James had promised to meet me, and luckily he was right there, just as he promised he would be, looking even more captivating in the dimly lit beachfront atmosphere.

My friends quickly scattered behind me, making their own way inside. They knew I didn’t need them now. This was going to be awesome.

James’ eyes sparkled with anticipation as he greeted me, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart race as I took in his presence. He really was the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on. If the men were like this back in Memphis, I would not be single.

“Sadie, you look stunning,” James said, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and charm.

I blushed and smiled in response, grateful for the summer dress I’d chosen for the occasion. “Thank you. You know, you don’t look too bad yourself.”

He laughed and offered me his arm. “Shall we go in?”

The party was in full swing, with a lively atmosphere that enveloped us. The music throbbed, and the crowd was a sea of laughter, dancing, and clinking glasses. James led me to the outdoor dance floor, where we joined the rhythm of the night.

We danced, our bodies moving in perfect harmony with the music. James was an excellent dancer, and I felt a connection between us that completely overshadowed everything else. His hand rested gently on the small of my back, sending shivers down my spine. I was in heaven. This was the perfect night, and I honestly never wanted it to end.

This was the alive feeling I had been chasing for far too long without even realizing it. This was what I needed, and it felt absolutely glorious to have it.

As the night progressed, James and I retreated to a quieter area by the beach, where we found a pair of lounge chairs. The moonlight bathed the scene in a soft, ethereal glow, casting our silhouettes against the sand, making this feel like a fantasy.

“I wish I could be free like this all the time,” I gasped as I sunk into my seat. “Don’t you?”

“Oh yeah. This is incredible.”

James turned to face me, smiling with a vulnerability that truly got my heart racing. I found myself drawn to him in a way I hadn’t expected. The connection between us deepened with every moment that passed as we shared eye contact.

I like him, I realized as I felt the deep magnetic pull dragging us together. I like him a lot.

He must have been thinking the same thing because I could almost breathe in the change in the atmosphere. I could almost sense the desire dripping off of him.

And then, suddenly, his lips were on mine.

It was a tender and unexpected kiss, a rush of emotions and desires that neither of us could deny any longer. It was as if the world outside ceased to exist, and there was only James and me, connected in a way that we had both been trying to dance around all evening long.

My initial shock gave way to a sweet surrender as our lips moved together with an urgency born of desire and longing. His hands found their way to my waist, and my fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, as if a silent confession of the feelings we had been holding back.

I’d been attracted to James ever since he was a mysterious shadowy figure on the beach, and now that was coming to fruition. It felt a million times better than I thought it would. I was a little worried that my heart might explode out of my chest because it was pounding so hard.

When we finally pulled away, we were both breathless and wide-eyed, our foreheads touching as we shared a moment of mutual desire. It was as if our hearts had finally caught up with our passions, and we knew we couldn’t keep away from one another any longer.

“I’ve wanted to do that all night long,” James whispered, his voice raw with emotion. I could only nod, still trying to catch my breath. “Should we go to my room? It’s just in there.”

As much as I didn’t really want to move from that spot because it was magical and sizzling with electricity, I was actually pretty sure that was all him, so I ended up agreeing. I supposed it wouldn’t be the wisest idea to succumb to our passions outside, where we risked getting caught, so I slipped my hand into his and allowed him to lead me inside.

It was still very loud inside the building, but there was such a buzzing in my ears that I could hardly hear anything. James walked with purpose toward the elevator, silently letting me know he was just as caught up in this as I was. Thankfully, there was no one else in the elevator as we stepped inside because there was no way we could keep our hands off of one another. Kissing had only unlocked our desires and made them unmanageable.

I was utterly breathless and likely a big mess as we finally reached James’ floor, but I just didn’t care. I kept thinking about my friend’s words, how this was a holiday romance, an opportunity of a lifetime, and I didn’t want to mess it up.

I would never find another man as hot as James. I needed him.

As soon as we fell into his room, with the door clicking shut behind us, the kissing resumed. Only this time, I reached out and deliberately, unbuttoned his shirt, allowing the fabric to fall away, revealing his muscular chest. James’ hands ran along my sides, tracing the curve of my hips before sliding upward, grasping me firmly and pulling me against him.

As James caressed my cheekbone, our lips met tenderly, then passionately once more. Our tongues danced against one another, exploring every nook and cranny of each other’s mouths. It was truly wild, and I honestly felt a little insane as I fell back a little onto the couch, inviting him closer to me. I needed to feel all of him.

I felt his hand on my waist, pulling me close, and I melted into his embrace. With an erotic grace, James started tugging up my dress, slowly revealing my supple curves. My heart pounded wildly, my skin flooded with anticipation. As the garment fell to the floor, James’ eyes blazed with intense appreciation. I found myself returning his gaze with equal fervor as we both savored the moment.

Our hands roamed over each other’s bodies, seeking and finding hidden treasures that only heightened our desire. Every touch, every kiss, left us both yearning for more. As we continued to explore each other’s bodies, our breathing became more labored, each movement becoming more urgent.

I arched my back, pressing my breasts against James’ chest, my nipples hardening against his chest hair. I moaned softly, a mix of anticipation and arousal consuming me. His hands roamed down my back, and he cupped my rear end, drawing me even closer. His fingers teased my entrance, causing me to gasp and squirm beneath him.

“Please,” I whispered, my need evident in my pleading tone.

James smiled, his eyes glinting with a newfound determination. Pleasure ricocheted across his face as he finally tugged my lacy panties down and he lightly stroked my soaking wet slit. The feel of his rough fingers against my softness was electrifying. I didn’t even recognize the sounds flying out of my mouth as he stroked my hypersensitive clit.

“Fuck, James,” I rasped as I gripped so tightly onto him that I was sure my nails were digging into his skin. Not that he seemed to mind. James looked as lost in this glorious moment as I was. He alternated between tracing the most phenomenal feeling patterns all over my most sensitive nub to plunging his fingers deep inside me, massaging my cavern.

“So hot,” he groaned, his words tickling my ears. “So wet for me. Fucking hell, Sadie.”

I could feel his rock-hard cock almost bursting out of his boxers. He needed to be freed from his material prison, and I was the only one who could do it. My eager fingers were trembling as I dipped my hand just underneath the waistband of his boxers. Lightly grazing against his thick, throbbing erection made us both twitch with need. I was practically writhing with desire.

“Fuck me, James,” I pleaded because I could hardly take it any longer. “I need you.”

“Oh yeah?” His smirk grew wider. I could tell he was pleased with himself, but something about that only turned me on even more. “Well, luckily for you, you have me.”

Slowly, he lowered himself onto me, aligning our bodies perfectly. I gasped as he pressed his erection against me, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my core. His face contorted with intensity as he slid those boxers down, finally giving himself over to me. James plunged into me, claiming me completely. I threw my head back, my cries echoing throughout the room, and I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him deeper inside me.

James groaned, feeling the tightness of my muscles clenching around him. Each thrust sent ripples of pleasure through both of us, and our hearts raced with the intensity of our connection.

My fingers dug into his shoulders, my nails leaving indents in his skin as I held on tightly. My breathing came in ragged gasps, my body tensing and relaxing with each movement. James held me close, kissing me deeply, swallowing my cries of ecstasy as he continued to thrust into me, making me feel everything all at once.

The sensation of being taken by him ignited something primal within me, leaving me wanting more. Our movements became faster, more frantic, our passion reaching its peak.

I felt the heat of our bodies rise, the air in the room thick with the scent of our ardor. My teeth bit into James’ shoulder as he growled with pleasure. My breath hitched, my body tensed as the wave of climax approached.

And then I fell.

I tumbled headfirst into the never-ending abyss of pleasure, drowning in the glorious warmth that was consuming me more by the moment. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t get anywhere near enough air into my lungs, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to feel this gorgeousness forever.

The orgasm truly was overwhelming. I hadn’t ever experienced anything like that before. It completely swept me off my feet, and I never wanted this to end. James tightened his grip on me, holding me close as I convulsed underneath him. My cries filled the room, and he followed suit, letting loose a low, raw groan as he too succumbed to the force of our passion. Together, we collapsed onto the soft couch cushions, our breath still heavy from the most mind-blowing encounter I had ever experienced in my whole damn life.

Wow, I thought headily to myself as I tried to come to terms with that. Just wow…

The morning sun broke through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room, and I couldn’t help but smile as I stretched in bed. The night had been a whirlwind of excitement and chemistry with James at the beach party, and we’d shared a connection that felt electric.

I rose from the bed, taking a moment to appreciate the cozy beachside bedroom where we’d ended up after the party, James’ room. The sounds of the ocean waves and the chirping of birds filled the air, creating a serene which was just wonderful.

I could stay here forever, I thought happily to myself. This is my heaven.

Unfortunately, as James reentered the room, he didn’t look like he had the same thought on his mind. His serious expression was a stark contrast to the charming, laid-back demeanor I’d experienced the night before.

“Morning,” I greeted him with a tentative smile. James acknowledged me with a nod, but the tension in the room was palpable. We had shared passionate kisses and lighthearted laughter, but now it felt like a different story. “Is everything alright?”

“I just…” He sighed heavily. “I wanted a break from everything, and I can’t get it. Even here.”

“From the sawmill?” I asked in confusion, but I could immediately tell that wasn’t it. There was more, and for some reason, he was hesitant to tell me. “Come on, James. We shared a lot last night.” I was trying to lighten the atmosphere, but I didn’t think he was getting it. His frown seemed to deepen if anything. “You can tell me.”

“You don’t understand. understand. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why?” I snapped, now a little irritated. Who was he to assume that I wouldn’t understand something? “I’m not stupid. If you want to explain something to me, then I’m sure I’ll understand it.”

“I’m not saying that,” James began, his voice tinged with annoyance. “You’re being incredibly stubborn here for no reason. I don’t need to talk about it, that’s all.”

I raised an eyebrow, my own irritation intensifying. “Stubborn? That’s one way to put it. I’d prefer ‘independent.’. Or just not thick. I’m not stupid and I don’t appreciate being treated that way.”

Where was the kind guy that I had met the night before? The one who stared at me adoringly and spoke to me like I was a precious princess? In the cold light of morning, that had all but vanished, and I didn’t know why. I couldn’t put my finger on what had changed, because he was sweet to me on the beach as well.

Unless he’d gotten everything he wanted from me and was done… Urgh.

James let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s nothing to do with you. I don’t need to be challenged when I’m talking about my real life, you know?”

“So, I’m not real life to you?” I guessed he isn’t to me either. It was just a holiday fling, but it still hurt to be treated that way. I started to dress myself in a hurry, regretting everything. “That’s lovely, that is. I wasn’t trying to challenge you, I was trying to help. I was being nice. You ever heard of that?”

“Well, maybe I don’t need help with this, because it's something… strange.”

I grabbed my bag as he threw his hands in the air in frustration. I chucked my panties in there, glad that I at least had my dress on. “Well, good, because you’re not getting my help now. I’m leaving.” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care how ‘strange’ your life is. Just leave me out of it.”

“You don’t need to be like that,” he called after me, but it was too late. I slammed the door behind me as I stalked out of the room. I was not going to turn back. Mostly because I didn’t want him to see me getting upset. I was not going to cry in front of a man I didn’t know. Just because we slept together, that didn’t have to mean a thing.

But the tears started to fall inside the elevator anyway because I felt stupid. I got so caught up in the magic that I really started to believe that there could be something there. More than just a physical connection. I guess I was so busy looking for a way out of my real life that I would connect to anything, and we really did have fun.

But my judgement was clearly wrong, and he was an asshole, so I couldn’t let this feeling continue. The way he spoke to me then was not on. It was good that we were leaving. Much as I didn’t really want to get back to Memphis, I didn’t want to be in Cancun any longer, either. I was done with all of it. It was too much for me.

Holiday flings were not as fun as movies made them out to be. Thank God there was no way I would ever see James again in my life. His ‘real life’ was worlds away from mine, and I didn’t want anything to do with it. Ever.