Page 8 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

My nerves are all aflutter after having Maddox pressed against me.

He was hard and delicious, and I wanted nothing more than to take off my clothes and tell him to take me.

I swallow hard, pressing a hand to my stomach, and move to stand in front of the mirror in my room.

I look pretty in my navy-blue cocktail dress.

The chiffon sleeves fasten around my wrists, and the dress fits my curves nicely.

The navy pumps on my feet give me height and make my legs look amazing.

My mind wanders back to Maddox, and I wonder if he’ll get to see me all dressed up.

My hair, freshly washed, is styled into curls that fall down my back.

A light coating of makeup covers my face.

As my diamond engagement ring catches the light, my heart drops.

What am I doing? I step close and let my forehead drop.

The cool glass against my skin does nothing to settle me.

I haven't even spent a day in Hawke's Ridge, and yet I'm already questioning my future.

To be honest, I started feeling unsettled with Richard about a month ago if not longer.

It wasn't just one thing. It was as though a light had suddenly switched on in my head, opening my eyes.

I saw how Richard manipulates me into thinking his way.

I'd just agree with him because I don't like arguing.

Looking at my reflection, I wonder if these negative feelings about Richard and his family are a reaction to Maddox.

Or maybe meeting Maddox has opened my eyes to the fact that deep down, I don't want to become Mrs. Richard Walker.

Stepping back, I straighten and inhale before slowly exhaling.

"I'm Sofie Ryan, and from this point forward, I will not be a doormat to the Walkers!

" I huff out a breath and retrieve my purse, making sure my phone is inside.

Once I step outside, I put the keycard inside my bag.

A smile plays on my lips as I glance around and notice that there is still daylight.

From what I've read, the sun usually doesn't set until around eleven in the evening and rises again after two in the morning.

That explains the blackout curtains in the room.

I take my time, meandering along the stone pathways that lead to the main building. My stomach grumbles, reminding me that I haven't eaten in a while. I hope there's more than cheese at this event Samantha organized.

Inside the building, I see the others standing and talking in the bar area. It would have been good to have Jamaica with me about now.

"Sofie, may I accompany you to the bar?" Colton Hawke offers me his arm.

Flustered, I slip my arm through his and whisper, "Thank you," as he leads me forward. “It’s like being led into a room of snakes.”

He huffs a laugh his eyes dancing. “Don't worry. The Hawke men have you covered."

I glance at the young man and laugh when he winks.

"Now, what can I get you to drink?" He asks.

"I'd love a whiskey. Wine isn't going to cut it tonight."

He snorts. "I wish I could join you." He releases me. "Ice?"

"Please."

He groans, his eyes focusing on something over my shoulder. I turn to see what has his attention and let out a small groan.

"I'll get you a double," Colton mutters as he moves away.

"Where have you been?" Catherine snaps the second Colton is out of earshot.

She reaches out and grabs my arm, her nails digging into my skin like talons. I narrow my eyes and hiss, "Take your hands off me right now, or we are going to have a big problem."

"Don't be ridiculous." She huffs.

I try to wrench my arm free, but she clings tightly. What the hell is she doing?

“Ma’am, I suggest you release Miss. Ryan." Spencer peels her fingers from my arm and gently takes my elbow to move me out of her reach. "The sheriff takes issue with physical abuse."

"Well, really!” She gasps. “I was just being friendly to my future daughter-in-law." Her eyes narrow as Samantha joins us.

She lets her gaze pass over the three of us and then settles it on me. "Sofie, are you causing problems again?"

"Fuck this!" I snap, turning to Spencer. "Thank you. I need a drink."

"I have it right here." Colton hands me a glass of whiskey. I take a long sip, enjoying the burn as it goes down.

"Thank you."

“Will you be okay if I leave?” Spencer asks in a quiet voice.

"I'll be fine." I smile. "I plan on getting drunk.

Then all my problems will disappear." I turn and head for the bar.

On my way, I spot a table with hors d'oeuvres.

I walk over, load up a small plate, and then go sit at the bar.

A man steps out from behind the bar, surprising me.

He grins. "Hello, Sofie. In case you're wondering, I'm the better-looking brother, Ryland Hawke. "

"The Hawke men are all incorrigible." I wave a finger his way. "Could you please get me another one of these? Colton got me this one."

"Sure can."

I start munching on a chicken curry kebab and a pastry, but I can't really taste them. The round things on a stick are delicious. This food isn't going to sustain me until morning. When Ryland returns with my drink, I ask, "Did they order food for tonight?"

He shakes his head. "I heard them talking. They only booked snacks."

"Well, that sucks. I'm starving." I finish one drink and pick up the next. I wave it in the air. "Bottoms up!"

I sense a presence on my right, glance that way, and see a woman whose name escapes me. She's one of Samantha's friends. Well, they all are.

"I'm Judean." She smiles. "I'm kind of an 'invite when you need a space filler' friend of Samantha's."

I wince. "That sucks." I wave my glass toward Ryland. "Could my friend have one of these, please, and could I have another one?"

“So, Judean—I love your name by the way—how do you know Samantha?” I ask, starting to feel a buzz from the alcohol.

"School." She takes a sip of the drink Ryland places in front of her.

"Samantha wanted ten people on the trip, her mom number eleven.

She was adamant that we all share rooms, except for Catherine.

" She shrugs. "It's a free trip, so I thought, 'Why not?

' The company could have been nicer. I do wonder why you would marry into the Walker family, though.”

"I'm wondering that as well," I mutter, just as my stomach rumbles loudly.

"You're as hungry as I am. Do you want to sneak away and find some real food?"

"Judean, I think I would love that!"

I slide off the barstool and wobble slightly on my heels, wondering if I'm going to fall flat on my face when I try to walk.

Ryland huffs out a laugh. "Ladies, if you want a burger and fries, I can help you out."

"You have our attention," Judean says.

"Follow me." Ryland leads us behind the bar and down a hallway until we burst into a huge kitchen.

Judean stops suddenly, and I bump into her as I hurry to the food. It has nothing to do with the three double whiskeys I just consumed. "Um, do the men come with the food?" Judean asks in a loud whisper directed at Ryland.

Ryland snorts. "Ladies, meet my brothers: Maddox, Hunter, Garrett, and Gabe. Bros, these ladies are hungry."

"Good thing we're cooking up some burgers," Maddox drawls as he moves toward me.

I meet him halfway, giving him a drunken grin as I wrap my arms around his waist. "You smell good."

He chuckles. "You look hot." He squeezes my butt and pushes me away. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Three."

"Three double Jack and Cokes," Ryland shouts.

"Fuck!" Maddox walks me backward and then grabs my hips, plopping my butt down on the table. "Stay there while I make you food."

"Okay." I sigh, staring at the nice, firm backside in front of me.

Maddox chuckles when he catches me staring. "Behave."

"I think I need an ice-cold bath," Judean says beside me. "The man who had his hands all over you is hot." She nudges me with her elbow and whispers, "Who is that?" She's not quiet at all, and all heads swivel toward who she's looking at.

I frown, not recognizing the man who just entered.

"Um," Gabe snickers. "That would be our brother, Branson."

He is as tall as his brothers, but he wears a more serious expression.

Then I remember that he's the sheriff. I wiggle down from the table, walking slowly so as not to make a fool of myself, and continue until I'm right in front of him.

"Hello, Branson. I'm Sofie, and this is my new friend, Judean.” I smile.

“You look tired and hungry. Your brothers are making food.

" I grab his arm, lead him to the table, and push him into a seat.

"Are you okay? I know you've had a bad day. "

Branson glances at his brothers, shakes his head, and lets out a long sigh. "It's been a long time since I came home to a woman."

"Asshole. She's mine." Maddox sets plates of food on the table and motions for me to sit in the chair across from his brother. Judean dives into her food, her eyes riveted on the men. Maddox grabs a plate for himself and sits next to me, making sure our thighs press together.

Branson keeps his eyes on us while he eats, his lips twitching. Maddox nudges my plate closer, and I decide to dig in. Breakfast was a long time ago.