Chapter 22
LUCY
“I’m glad you joined me,” I say to Roman, holding his hand, our fingers interlaced, as I have no plans on leaving his side.
Since meeting these Alphas, my life has been turned on its head, and as much as I’ve resisted the inevitable, I’ve finally started to feel like this might be the real thing.
The universe is being kind to me, giving me what I’ve always desired. Alphas all of my own.
“How could I not come along if it meant spending time with you?” His hold tightens, and he nudges his arm into mine, offering me his panty-melting smirk.
On cue, I’m blushing and burning up, because I no longer belong to myself but to these Alphas who control my body.
“Anyway, I feel better this way, especially after finding out about the downed tree. And I’m getting scared now because I have no idea what’s coming for me.” My breaths are rushing as I think about it more.
“Nothing, and no one, is getting near you.” He pauses on the sidewalk that leads toward the grocery store and turns to face me.
He plucks a strand of hair caught in my lashes and tucks it behind an ear.
“As long as you’re at our side, you’re safe, and we’ll make sure of it.
And this is why we’re not letting you out of our sight. ” His thumb strokes over my knuckles.
I soften beneath his gaze, his brown hair fluttering across his shoulders, eyes so deep I’m drowning in them.
Near him, I lose myself easily, forgetting where I am because the world fades away.
Being bound to him makes it extremely difficult to focus on anything but that handsome face, the lips I crave, the hands I desire all over my body.
Is it wrong that I press forward, needing to taste him right now?
He collects me in his arms as if reading my mind, and suddenly our lips are crushed together and my heart is drumming in my chest. In his arms, I’m safe and cozy, and my mind is at peace.
Finally, we break apart, and I’m breathing heavily. “You make me crazy,” I admit out loud, then drag him by his hand. “Let’s get these errands done, or we’re never getting home.”
He’s at my side, leaning in and kissing the top of my head. “Good plan. Then we’ll be all alone in the truck on the way back.” His voice dips to that sexy, smoky timber that leaves me shivering for more.
“You do that on purpose, don’t you?”
Breaking into a laugh, he blows me a kiss and we’re strolling. “No idea what you mean,” he continues with a delicious rasp behind his words.
I eye him sideways while he arrogantly rubs his closed fist against his chest, then brings it to his lips and blows across the knuckles as though his job is done.
“Cocky much?” I tease.
We hurry to the post office first, where Roman manages to make the manager swoon and drop her glasses with his voice. Then the grocery store, and already he’s helped two ladies reach for items on the higher shelves.
I whisper, “As soon as a woman sees you, it’s as if she’s suddenly incapable of doing anything on her own.”
He gives me a playful slap on the ass. “Don’t be jealous, gorgeous. You’ll always be my number one.”
I roll my eyes and keep pushing the shopping cart.
“It’s been years since I’ve done grocery shopping,” he says, pulling random vegetables, which I assume he has plans for, into the cart. “Who would have thought I’d miss it?” He collects a pineapple, sniffs it, then puts it back. “Not ripe enough.”
“In no time, you’ll be a free man. I bet you can’t wait,” I say, pushing the cart down the cereal aisle.
“Your grandmother’s been very flexible and permits us to head into town on our own as part of the program, so living at the lodge feels like freedom already.
” A grin tugs at his lips. “Being able to spend so much time outdoors is everything. While I was away, I missed all the boring things, like this here.”
My stomach does somersaults because somehow I’ve won the lotto with these Alphas. After losing Jerry, my world turned dark, and nothing I did lit up my life until now. I haven’t laughed so much since returning home, or been this aroused.
We pause at one end of the chocolate aisle, examining my many options, and I pinch my lips to the side, unable to choose. “Which one do you want?”
“I’m a dark chocolate person,” he answers, reaching for one.
“Yes, me too, and excellent selection.” I take it from him and place it in the cart, when someone from the end of the aisle grabs my attention. Lifting my gaze, I glance over at the man in blue jeans and a button-up shirt, messy sandy hair, standing there in front of a shelf.
Wait. “Is that Ethan?” I ask.
Roman’s at my side, both of us staring. I blink, trying to make sure I’m not imagining things because he shouldn’t be here, and I don’t want to call out to a complete stranger. He grabs something from the shelf and vanishes around the end of the aisle.
I twist to face Roman. “That was him. Tell me you just saw Ethan? Or am I losing my mind?”
He’s nodding. “Yep, it was him all right. Is he back in town?”
“Maybe. I’ve left messages with him, but he hasn’t responded. But it’ll be good to see him again.” Suddenly, I’m pushing the cart, hoping to find him. We go across the end of all the aisles, and he’s nowhere to be found. He’s not at the registers either. “Where’s he gone so fast?”
“I’m certain we’ll catch him back at the lodge,” Roman says, then we continue our shopping, but I’m still keeping an eye out for Ethan.
Once we’re in the truck with the groceries in the back, I call Ethan again. After two rings, it goes straight to voicemail. I hang up. “I don’t know what, but something just feels off,” I say.
Roman starts up the engine, and I pull the seat belt across my chest. “He could have his reasons.”
“I guess.” I look out the window as we leave behind the parking area, the ache in my gut that something is wrong still there.
We drive home quietly, the radio playing old songs, while Roman’s hand shifts to my thigh when he’s not changing gears. Unable to resist, I keep stealing glances his way—those lips, that strong jawline, how he has his long hair pushed behind an ear.
When we pull up the long driveway to the front of the lodge, there’s a black town car I don’t recognize parked near the entrance, and the knot in my stomach returns.
“Wonder who that is,” I say, as I’d locked the place up while we were gone and the guys were working on clearing the fallen pine.
We park close by and climb out, just as the driver’s door of the black car swings open. A man in a navy-blue suit emerges, and it’s only when he straightens himself that I recognize him. It’s Mayor West. “What’s he doing here?” I murmur under my breath.
Roman falls into step beside me as we approach him.
“Miss Rose,” the mayor begins, striding toward us, hand out, hair slicked back. I shake it, as does Roman. “So happy I caught you. I thought no one was home. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course. Would you like to come inside?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t have much time to spare and was really just making a courtesy visit, as I heard through the grapevine that you lost power to the lodge.”
“Oh, word gets around fast,” I say with a grin while staring at this man. “I called the electric company this morning, so I’m waiting for them to fix it.”
“Well, that’s part of my reason for coming up here. The storm was extremely destructive last night. Such a nasty thing. It left half the town of Rusty’s Bend without power. The power team has scheduled your lodge in a week’s time for a visit.”
My eyes widen, breath rushing out. “A week? That’s way too long. Surely they can send someone earlier.”
Roman clears his throat.
The mayor glances at him for a moment, then swings his attention my way. “Miss Rose, I understand your concern, being here alone. A young woman in the mountains can be scary and—”
“She’s not alone,” Roman interrupts.
The mayor’s gaze flicks to Roman again, and a coldness flashes behind it.
“That’s very kind of you, Mayor, but I’m fine, honestly.”
He grins at me. “Yes, yes, of course you are. But, Miss Rose, just in case you need a safer place, I have asked a favor of Rusty’s Motel in town to offer you a room until your power is restored, free of charge.
The storm did horrible damage everywhere.
” His condescending tone is impossible to ignore.
“But anyway, the offer stands.” He tucks his hand into the pocket on the inside of his jacket and produces a card for the motel, which he holds out to me.
“It’s the least I can do for your grandmother. ”
“Thank you, but I’m fine where I am,” I say, refusing to take the card.
“Well, seeing as I’ve taken up enough of your time, I’ll be off. Take care.” He returns to his car, and in seconds, he’s driving the way he came.
“Okay, what was that about? Since when is the mayor the errand boy for the electric company? And a week?” I gasp loudly, watching the dust settle from the driveway in the distance.
“That guy’s up to something,” Roman adds. “You can see it in his eyes. Anyway, we may need to invest in another backup generator and use them at a minimum to make them last.” He kisses me on the brow. “Let’s get those groceries inside.”
He takes four bags, while I’m left with the lightest one, and once we’re in the kitchen, he closes in behind me, arms around my middle, lips on my ear. “Are you okay if I catch up with the other two and see how the cleanup is coming along?” He kisses my neck.
I melt against him and stay there for a few moments, letting the tension of the mayor’s visit fade. “Yep, all good. I want to call my grandma anyway.”
He goes out the back door, and I put all the groceries away, when my phone rings in my bag. I fish it out and don’t recognize the number. “Hello?”
“Miss Rose, this is Mr. Colby. Do you have a moment to speak?”
My gut twists because I remember the parole officer well. Drawing deep for a cheery response, I say, “Of course. How can I help you?”