Page 14 of His Little Pumpkin (Alphas Fall Hard Collection #2)

LAURA

I ’ve always been good at throwing myself into my freelance work if I’m frustrated and worried. So, on the plus side, I’ve gotten a ton of stuff done over the past few hours.

I take a quick break to stretch out my shoulders and make myself a cup of decaf. What am I going to say to Eldon when he gets home?

There’s a huge prickle running up and down my spine telling me that I should feel upset. Which I do. I’m just not sure why I feel like perhaps I should be more upset. I mean, I’m glad that I was finally paid. It’s just awkward to think about how that all shook out.

I stare down into my mug while pacing back and forth. I’m in Eldon’s kitchen. Drinking his coffee. Wearing clothing he bought me. If he’s doing everything for me, am I even allowed to complain about how he does it?

I don’t know.

Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely love the feeling of him caring for me. It feels like his heart and intentions are pure, too. Maybe it just seems awkward because I have no experience – both with relationships, and with speaking up for myself and saying what I need. What I expect.

I would never have thought in a zillion years that Eldon would call in a favor to have someone go speak to Craig in person. No one’s ever gone to that much trouble for me before.

It feels… It’s hard to make sense of the feeling. A bit possessive? Maybe, but it doesn’t feel wrong. More like… I set the mug on the counter, since my hands are beginning to shake.

Like Eldon taking care of his girl. As if I’m really his, and he’s thinking about our future.

And…okay, maybe he interfered…but it was a good thing? It’s not like I’ll do more work for that Craig guy anyway.

It pointed out that I need to make a decision, though. Like, I need to decide if I’m staying before Eldon invests too much time and money in me.

I want to stay. The thought of waking up in his strong arms every morning… the way he looks into my eyes and strokes my cheek with his thumb… he’s mesmerizing.

I just wish I knew if Eldon truly wants me, or if he just thinks that caring for me is the right thing to do. He’s such an honorable man that he just might. But I need him to want me for his own selfish desires, too.

Because the thought of that desire makes me flush with lust and the promise of love.

Staring out the window at the gorgeous sunset, I sigh aloud. Being in love with Eldon would be the most incredible thing in the world. My life would have meaning for someone besides myself for the first time ever.

The trees sway in the breeze as I stare, zoning out a bit. I thought that a loving home was the thing I wanted most in the world. Now I know that my truest longing is for Eldon. Our passion. Our possibilities.

My phone beeps, and I rush to the table to grab it, hoping that it’s him.

It isn’t.

My face falls, shoulders curling forward as my body starts turning in on itself.

It’s her .