Page 2 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

As the airplane gently touches down on the runway, I wonder how long I'll be able to keep smiling.

I've always dreamed of visiting Alaska, but when my boyfriend mentioned it to his sister, she thought I wanted to have my bachelorette party here.

I couldn't imagine anything worse than spending my bachelorette party in Alaska with women I don't know and don't want to know.

I didn't want a party. It's not my idea of fun.

My idea of an idyllic setting is a cup of coffee, a good book, and a blanket over my lap while sitting on a porch with a view of snow-capped mountains.

My best friend, Jamaica, should be here, but my future sister-in-law didn't want to wait an extra week for her to return from a work trip. I had no idea that things were being booked until Richard told me that I was leaving in two days. I was furious and knew Samantha had done it deliberately.

The door of the small plane opens, and a nice breeze wraps around me.

I wait until everyone else is off before moving into the doorway.

I take a deep breath, step out onto the tarmac, and close my eyes, inhaling the fresh air.

I'm in Alaska! Excitement runs through me, even as the stupid veil we all wear whacks me in the face, reminding me of the harsh reality—I’m getting married in a month.

"Are you okay?"

My eyes snap open at the sound of the masculine voice.

Dark brown eyes stare into mine, and I forget where I am.

I gaze at his handsome features—strong cheekbones and a short, dark beard covering his lips and jawline.

He's a hot guy. He's tall, but everyone is tall compared to my five-foot-four frame.

His long hair is tied back. I notice tattoos peeking out from under the sleeve of his shirt as my gaze moves downwards.

His deep voice rumbles through his chest as he repeats, "Are you okay?"

My eyes shoot upward, and I see his lips twitching with amusement while my face heats. I clear my throat. "I'm good.” I offer my hand. "Sofie Ryan."

He grins. "Maddox Hawke."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see something pink—Samantha.

She wobbles toward us in her high heels and takes Maddox by the arm.

"Tut-tut, Sofie. It's your bachelorette party. You need to let the single ladies talk to the delicious mountain men.” She tries to pull Maddox away, but he clenches his jaw, probably biting back a curse or two, before untangling himself.

"If you all get on the bus, I'll load the luggage." He nods and walks toward the pilot, who is unloading the plane.

Samantha turns my way. "My brother won't be happy about you flirting with the first guy you see."

I open and shut my mouth, knowing better than to argue with her.

I don't curse. Well, I didn't curse until I met her.

She's acting like she's jealous of me being with her brother, which makes no sense.

I have my own money, so I'm not after Richard’s.

I can cook. However, I don't like his family, which might become an issue.

So far, I've accepted Richard pushing me to spend time with his sister, even though he knows I don't want to.

Anything I want seems to have gone out the window.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it.

Recently, I've been considering canceling the whole thing. The reality is that I don’t love Richard. In fact, on one or two occasions, I'm sure I haven't even liked him.

"Are you not getting on the bus?" The pilot breaks into my sad thoughts.

"I guess so." I don't make a move.

"If you want some free advice, you need a new set of friends."

I glance up at him, and he winces. "I might be the pilot, but I hear everything."

"They're not my friends."

"You don't want to be here?"

“I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska, but I wish I was here alone.” Sighing, I put one foot in front of the other and climb onto the bus. The only seats are toward the back, so I head in that direction. I leave two rows between them and me.

Maddox steps inside and quickly glances around. A frown appears on his face when he spots me alone at the back. He blinks, and the curiosity on his face disappears. Samantha and her friends bombard the guy with questions, but he only grunts in response. Eventually, he ignores them.

The bus finally falls silent.

I yank the stupid veil off my head and rub my scalp where the teeth dug in. I wince as I pull my hair free of the elastic holding it in a ponytail. I massage the back of my head and slowly turn my neck to get the kinks out. It's been a long, stressful day of traveling with this group.

As we leave Anchorage, I finally get to see some of the views I've dreamt about, and a small smile slips onto my face.

Wide open spaces and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Along the highway, there are trees and green spaces.

We travel over a huge body of water and pass through another large town before heading out into the wilderness again.

This time, the highway is smaller, and there are tall trees along the road.

I struggle to keep my eyes open and surrender to the losing battle.

When I open my eyes again, Maddox's low, sexy voice says, "Wake up, babe."

He's crouched beside my seat, but I can't read his expression. He stands, but not quite reaching his full height because of the roof of the bus and holds out his hand. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Your friends are already inside the lodge.”

I take his hand. "They're not my friends," I mutter, letting him tug me to my feet. I meet his gaze and see questions in his eyes. "I should join them." He grunts and, intertwining our fingers, leads me off the bus. Why I don’t pull away from this stranger is a mystery.

It's nice having my hand held in his. The touch sets off little fireworks in my panties.

But that's wrong, considering the engagement ring on my finger.

A little voice in the back of my mind reminds me that Richard never holds my hand nor sets off fireworks in my hooha from just his touch.

What the heck is wrong with me? I try to tug my hand free, but Maddox won't let go.

Three men stand close to the luggage at the side and stare our way.

Maddox gives them the finger which I’m sure I wasn’t supposed to witness.

He then leads me up the three steps to the lodge's entryway. He hesitates at the double doors and, with what feels like reluctance, let’s go of my hand.

I search his face, hoping he'll explain what's going on, but he says nothing.

The door in front of us bursts open, knocking me backward.

If it weren't for Maddox's quick reflexes, I would be on the ground.

Instead, I have Maddox's arm around me while he glares at Catherine, Richard’s mother.

"What are you doing loitering out here with that man?

" She gives Maddox such a snotty stare that my hackles rise.

"Catherine," I snap, shocking her, and myself, "this is Maddox Hawke, one of the owners of the Lodge.”

Her eyes widen. “I’m so sorry. I’m not usually so?—”

I cut her off. "Maddox, thank you for seeing me to the door. I'd better get Catherine inside." I step away from the man, feeling bereft as I do so. I take Catherine by the arm and lead her inside.

The moment the door closes behind us, she turns on me, as I knew she would.

"What do you think you are doing?" She hisses, digging her fingernails into my arm.

I wince and try to pull my arm free, but I can't. "You're marrying my son, so you don't talk to other men.

Otherwise, I will make sure my son knows that you're a floozy!” With one final, sharp dig of her fingernails into my flesh, she lets go and moves toward her daughter.

Tears spring to my eyes as I join the line to check-in while wishing I had a letter opener to stab the horrid woman with. That thought drags a wince out of me. I’m not a violent person. As I give her a sideways glance, I think I might end up one.

I’m not going to put up with this crap anymore. When I get back home, I’m going to give Richard his ring back. I was slowly coming to the conclusion that I needed to end things when the trip was dropped in my lap.

I sigh wondering how I got into this mess.