Page 3 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

I turn away as Sofie enters the lodge and trudge back to the bus, where Garrett, Ryland, and Hunter are staring at me. "What?" I snap, irritated.

Ryland snickers. "You're asking what's wrong with us when you held hands with the girl and walked her to the door? What was that?"

I open my mouth to say that I was just being friendly, but that would be a lie.

From the moment I saw her step out of the Cessna, I knew she was different.

I couldn't stop looking at the woman who exuded an air of loneliness.

I was compelled to touch her. I wanted to keep her, and that threw my entire world into chaos.

"I don't know," I tell my three brothers, only to spot a fourth moving toward us with a frown on his face.

I root through the luggage and find the case I was looking for. I turn to watch my brother, Gabriel, approach, wondering who pissed in his coffee.

I'm eager to head inside and find Sofie Ryan, the woman whose sad eyes drew me in and whose scent lingers after our brief encounter. My visceral reaction to her is unexpected and new to me.

“What’s going on with them?” Gabriel nods toward the main building. “They’re not very friendly to each other.” He shakes his head. "The girl Garrett texted me about was getting chewed out by an older woman."

"What the fuck!" I snap irritated at my brothers for gossiping, but I’m more furious that someone would hurt my woman. My woman, huh? For once, that doesn’t scare the shit out of me. “Just to be sure, honey-colored hair?”

Gabriel stares my way. "Honey-colored?" His mouth twists into a grin. "Caught your attention, has she?"

"Was it her or not, Gabe? I'm not in the mood."

He rolls his eyes. "Yes, it was her. Garrett described her well. Has your shorts in a wad, huh?”

"Fuck!" Ignoring the snickers from my four brothers, I rush up the steps and inside. My eyes immediately lock onto Sofie at the reception desk. The woman from the airport talking a mile a minute to her. I frown wondering if Sofie is supposed to be sharing a room with barbie.

Oh, that is not happening!

I quickly make my way behind the reception desk and call Colton, my youngest brother, over to me. "Make sure you give Sofie Ryan a double room. I don't want her sharing with anyone."

He gives me a knowing look. "Um, okay."

I narrow my eyes. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but she’s the odd one out. I'd rather she has someplace to go for some peace.”

“That’s not good. I'll go take care of it now." I grab him by the back of his shirt. "Bro, what the fuck is your problem?" he hisses.

“Get me the keycard. I'm going to take her to the room. I'll cover the additional cost."

"You're acting fucking weird, but okay." Colton shakes his head. Back at the reception desk, he smiles and flirts with the uppity Barbie while handing her a keycard. Then he passes one to Sofie. I know he's explained that they're in different rooms when Barbie's face turns red with anger.

That’s my cue!

Samantha spots me moving toward them first and perks up, while Sofie turns and offers me a small smile. "Sofie, I'll take you to the room. My brothers will be here shortly with the rest of your luggage," I tell the group.

I take Sofie's arm and lead her away from the ugly stares that follow us.

"Hey, wait a minute! Sofie and I are sharing a room!" Uppity Barbie wobbles after us in her ridiculous shoes.

Turning to face the disgruntled woman. I tell her, "The bride-to-be gets a room to herself, so if you'll excuse us." I turn and pull Sofie along with me, making her jog to keep up. The moment we step outside, I slow down. "Sorry about that. I figured you need some space.”

She lets out a shaky breath. "Do I really have a room to myself?"

"Yes."

"Thank you so much. I wasn't sure how I'd manage sharing with her." She winces. "I shouldn't have said that."

I laugh and watch as her face lights with happiness. The first I’ve seen since she arrived although there was a split second when she alighted from the plane. "You can say whatever you want around me. Come on, you have one of the best suites. It's called Belle, from Beauty and the Beast.”

Her eyes light up. "Really? I saw photographs on your website. It looked pretty.”

"Mom had a hand in naming the bridal suites." I smirk. "We have two."

She snickers and twitches her pert nose as her eyes land on mine. "What's the other one named?" I watch her lick her lips, and my cock tries to punch its way out of my pants. I mentally tell it to behave.

I clear my throat and admit, "Rapunzel."

Her soft chuckle does something to me. I give her a sidelong glance before ushering her toward the Belle Suite. "Here it is."

"Oh, it has a porch. This is amazing." She turns to face the snow-capped mountains in the distance. "That view is the reason I've always wanted to visit Alaska. I can't believe I'm here." Her excitement bubbles over, and she has me smiling along with her.

I guess that answers my question about why she chose Alaska for her bachelorette party. That thought snaps me back to the present. She's engaged to be married. That's why she's here. I need to remember that and rein in my arousal. If only my dick would behave!

I indicate for her to enter the room ahead of me.

I'm so close that I hear the gasp leave her lips when she sees the room.

I'm also close enough to smell the apple shampoo she uses on her hair.

Since when do I care what shampoo a woman uses?

Gah! I need to get out of here. But my feet have other ideas and I follow her inside.

The Belle Suite is a princess bedroom for adults.

It has a canopy bed draped in sheer fabric, a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and plush velvet curtains framing the windows.

I can't help but feel a surge of desire as I imagine her lying on the bed with her hair spread out around her like a halo.

I push my desire to the back of my mind.

I step forward to open the bathroom door.

The bathroom is just as luxurious as the bedroom, with marble countertops, a double vanity, and a rain shower.

The room is filled with the scents of lavender and jasmine, creating a serene atmosphere that is perfect for relaxation.

However, my mind is on other things when she brushes past me and leans over the tub in the center of the room.

I close my eyes. Having her naked in the tub with me is a vivid fantasy that I can almost taste on my lips.

Snap out of it, Maddox, you horndog!

Sofie turns to face me, tears on her cheeks. Startled, I step into her space, cup her face, and wipe her tears away with my thumbs. "What is it?"

"This is the most gorgeous room I've ever seen. Are you sure I can stay here?"

"Usually, the bride-to-be stays in one of the suites. It's included in the bachelorette package. But whoever booked for you and your acquaintances obviously refused the suite."

"They did?" She sighs heavily and mutters, "That figures."

Uncertain what she means, I force myself to move toward the front door. "There's a sheet with numbers on in the drawer beneath the phone." I pause. "Can I see your phone?"

Frowning, she passes it over. I point the phone at her face to unlock it, then add my number and send myself a text. "You now have my number. Call if you need anything. It doesn't matter what time." I smile, tip my finger to my forehead, and leave, closing the door behind me.

The second I’m outside I let out a heavy breath and gaze off into the distance at the snow-capped peaks, concentrating on my breathing. I haven’t gotten my dick wet in what feels like forever, so that must be why I feel a sudden attachment to the woman. It must be.

And she's getting married.

“Fuck!” I hiss under my breath as I head toward my cabin to retrieve my truck.