Page 13 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

Hunter is standing by his truck, drinking water, so it takes him a few minutes to notice me walking toward him.

Sweat coats my face. I wipe it away with the sleeve of my shirt.

Too bad I can't do anything about the sweat in my groin.

"I'd give my left nut for a shower right now," I say by way of greeting.

He grins. "You'd give both for one specific guest to be there with you." He drops the back of his truck and grabs me a bottle of water, which I accept gratefully. "I've got some protein bars in here if you want one or two."

I shake my head. "I just ate one. I forgot the water. I should know better.” Sighing, I glance back at where I came from, not relishing the idea of continuing. I will, though. Whoever this sick fuck is, he needs to be stopped.

"Bran thinks he already has another woman," Hunter says. "I've seen some messed-up shit, but what he's doing to these women is pure evil."

“Any tracks?”

"Not that I'm aware of." He huffs out a loud breath. “Honestly, bro, Janice is pissed at you, which means she’s pissed at anyone called Hawke.”

“She needs to get over herself." I retie my hair at the nape of my neck. “Can you imagine what she’d be like if I’d actually fucked her?”

"Wait!" He frowns. "You didn't?—"

"No. I did take her out to dinner, but I soon realized she was extremely possessive. I lost interest the second I figured it out."

"She's hot."

"There are plenty more fish in the sea. Besides, do you really want to sleep with someone you work with?"

"I don't work with her," he says absentmindedly.

"Hunter!" Janice calls. "Can you come assist me?"

"What were you saying?" I chuckle as he moves away. Of course, I catch Janice glaring my way. I don't know what her problem is. I stare until Hunter reaches her, and her attention moves on.

My eyes wander over the other men and women taking a break from the search.

The forest is huge and holds many secrets.

I think back to when I found Andrea and wonder if she was the first. She left months ago, or so Gabe thought.

Where has she been all this time? Has she been frozen since the moment she disappeared? I don’t envy Branson right now.

He made the right choice when he appointed Hunter as a sworn deputy. He inherited Landon, and let's just say he needs a refresher course or ten. The man prefers the warmth of the office, which I can't blame him for in the winter months.

I toss my empty water bottle into the small recycling tub in the back of Hunter's truck before I take a few steps to meet Angie and Bud, the owners of Bud's bar.

Angie has the brightest orange hair I've ever seen.

She says she's never dyed it. They're both in their early sixties and plan to die behind the bar.

Bud is a former Army Ranger with a never-ending stream of stories about his time in the service. They're both great people.

"This is going to be bad for business," Angie says.

I wince at her bluntness. "The news crews will arrive soon. They'll take all the available rooms and look for places to meet the locals." I raise an eyebrow and my lips twitch when Angie realizes that all isn't lost.

Bud grunts. "I can do without the vultures in my place.”

"Our place." Angie glares at her husband, who smirks. "Our place, dear."

"Have you seen the sheriff?" Changing the subject is the only way to stop these two from bickering.

“I saw him with Hunter and that woman with a stick up her butt.”

It's so unexpected that I burst out laughing, but then I catch myself because it's so damn inappropriate right now. "That would be the crime scene, boss."

"Yeah, well, she needs a good?—"

Bud clamps a hand over Angie's mouth. Her eyes sparkle with mischief.

"No need to broadcast so loudly, Angie." I shake my head at the pair.

"We're heading back to open the bar early. There will be tea and coffee for anyone who wants to stop by," she says.

"That's good of you. I'll be sure to stop by.”

"You're a good man, Maddox Hawke." Angie pats my arm and heads toward their truck. Bud hangs back and says, "If you need me and my rifle, let me know. Pass that along to your brother."

He holds my gaze until I nod.

I watch them drive off, then move toward Branson, who strides toward me with purpose. He's on a mission, and I have a feeling I'm not going to like what he has to say.

"A woman from the lodge called the station saying Ryland manhandled her. She wants to file a formal report with me," he hisses. "What the fuck is going on?"

"I'm here. With you. How the hell should I know?" I snap, taking a deep breath.

“Ask Sofie what happened before I go see the woman. Landon said she talked fast and that he thought her name was Trista."

"That name doesn't ring a bell... Tisha?"

"Right. Tisha." He yanks his hat off his head and runs a hand through his unruly hair. "Sorry, I snapped. I can do without that shit right now."

“Are we done here?" I nod toward the forest, where Janice and her crew are gradually reappearing and stepping into the parking lot.

"Yeah, I think so."

"I'll head back to the lodge." I pause. “Angie and Bud are offering free tea and coffee at the bar for anyone interested. I'll stop by briefly."

“I’ll let everyone know." Branson turns and walks to meet Janice. She shoots me a long glare, and I feel her eyes on me as I pull away and head into town.

I make a quick stop at Bud's to show my face, then head to my cabin.

I'm in desperate need of a shower, so I decide to take one before I go find Sofie.

My damp hair is fastened up in what my mother insists is called a "man bun," and I'm dressed in my favorite color, black.

I'm wearing a Henley shirt and jeans with my black biker boots.

I'll be heading out on my Harley at some point.

I step onto the porch of Sofie's cabin and hear giggling from inside.

I pause for a moment, then realize I'm smiling to myself.

As I reach out to knock, the door flies open, and I'm stunned. The toothpick in my mouth falls out as I gawk—there's no other word for it—at a nearly naked Sofie standing in front of me. I know Judean is standing beside her, but I can't tear my eyes away from all the skin Sofie is showing.

"Fuck me!" I vaguely hear Colton and sense him beside me, but my eyes are struggling to move.

Swallowing hard, I finally manage to look at Sofie's red face before my gaze drops to her fantastic breasts. Jesus! This woman was sent to test me. I'm sure of it. I swipe a hand down my face, but the image doesn't change. "What?" I croak, clearing my throat. "What are you wearing?"

“I was just about to ask Judean that." Colton stands beside me with his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the woman.

I shake my head and force my gaze to stay on Sofie's face. "What is that?" I wave my hand up and down between us, indicating her bikini.

Sofie rolls her eyes. "It's a bikini. We're going in the hot tub.”

"They shortchanged you," I mutter, inhaling deeply. “Don’t you have a cover-up or something?”

"Yeah, babe." Colton shoves in front of me. "Judean, you need to cover up that sexy fucking body. No one gets to see all your—" He waves a hand, indicating her chest. "All your—fucking hell—tits and ass," he hisses.

I notice the way Judean moves slightly behind Sofie, trying to hide from my brother's harsh words. I shove him to the side. "What he means is that he doesn't want another guy ogling you like he is."

"Damn right I don't!"

I hold Sofie's gaze. "I don't want anyone looking at you either."

"Oh, for goodness' sake! We're going into the hot tub with the others.

There won't be any men in them with us. Stop acting like Netherlanders.

" Sofie shakes the material she had been holding and slips it over her head.

Judean does the same. "Happy now?" She grabs Judean by the elbow and tugs her forward. "We'll get going."

They step around us. It takes a few moments to realize that I haven't asked Sofie about Ryland and Tisha. "Wait up! I need to borrow Sofie for a moment." I take my woman and walk her back inside the cabin while Colton takes her place beside Judean.

"Maddox, what's gotten into?—"

My mouth finds hers the second the door shuts behind us.

I grab her butt, hoisting her up against the door, and move in to press my body against hers.

Our tongues slide together as the kiss deepens into languid strokes.

I shudder when her fingers slide through my hair.

Her pussy rubs frantically against my hard dick while Sofie moans into my mouth.

I didn't bring her in here for this. I've lost my mind. For her. This is nuts.

I use my body to keep her pressed against the door and tug on the string holding her tiny panties together.

Her mound is perfect, lightly dusted with hair.

Her breasts heave as I hold her gaze and slip a finger between her legs.

Her body quivers, and when I feel how wet she is for me, I nearly lose it completely.

The moment I slip my finger inside her warm, wet pussy, she falls apart.

Her back arches, thrusting her breasts into my face.

Her head slams against the door behind her.

I descend on her breasts, biting down on a hard nipple.

Her fingers dig into my shoulders. She lets out a loud, keening wail, and her body pulses around my digit as she comes.

My dick is so hard that I don't know how I've managed to stave off my orgasm. I want to shove my jeans down and pin her to the door with my cock. I'd come just from being inside her. That's how wound up I am right now.

"Oh," she whispers once she's come back down to earth.

I drop my forehead to hers, panting harshly, and grin. "You're fucking beautiful when you come." Her cheeks are red, and her lips are swollen, which causes my heart to clench.

"We shouldn't have done this."

My heart falls to my feet.

Her fingers dig into my arms. "I mean, I haven't told Richard that I can't marry him yet." She pants. “I’ve removed the ring.”

Delighted to hear that, I turn and carry her to the bed, being careful not to crush her as I follow her down. I surround her and brush my lips over hers. "You need to tell him." I whisper, feeling a rush of excitement when one of her leg’s curls around my hips.

"I will." She places her hands on my face, using her fingers to brush my hair behind my ears. With her hands still on my face, she looks deep into my eyes and says, "I need that part of my life to be over."

My heart pounds against my breastbone, and I close my eyes in relief.

Opening them again, I notice a soft smile on Sofie's lips.

I lean down and kiss her before climbing off her.

Wincing, I adjust myself and offer her a gentle smile.

I offer her my hand and help her off the bed. I retrieve her cover-up and panties.

"You do know there are only going to be women in the hot tub, right?" She says struggling to fasten the strings of her bikini panties.

I gather one side and fasten it for her while she does the other. Then, I take the cover-up and slip it over her head, exhaling when she’s covered. "My brothers have perfect vision, Sofie. I trust them around you, but I don't want them seeing you half-naked." I shrug. "I'm a possessive asshole."

Suddenly, she wraps herself around me. "I like the possessive asshole in you." She moves away and pokes me in the belly. "I'd better go rescue Judean." She snickers. "Your brother has a thing for her, huh?"

"My baby brother needs to keep it in his pants with the guests."

She raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

"He's twenty-three. He plays the field. Your friend is too nice for Colton to fuck and then walk away, which he will do."

"Oh."

I run my hands through my hair and offer a wry grin. "I was coming to get the story about Ryland and Tisha." Her eyes shoot up, so I continue, "She's filed an official complaint with the sheriff's office."

Gasping, Sofie gives me a startled look.

"I can't believe she did that." Pause. "Actually, I can.

" Puffing out a breath, she stands with her hands on her hips.

"Tisha was trying to take a picture and stood too close to the edge.

Ryland pulled her back. She said he touched her without permission.

From the looks of things, she would have fallen into the river if he hadn't grabbed her.

I didn't see it all go down. I heard about it. " She winces. "I'll talk to her.”

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea. She'll want to know how you know." I shrug. "Let's get you and Judean into the hot tub.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders, give her a brief hug, and open the door.