Page 2 of Her Grumpy Alpha

He glanced in my direction, his light brown eyes locking onto mine. A hint of a smile played on his lips as I continued to get closer to him, and I could feel a rush of heat creeping up my neck.

“Hi,” I said, attempting to sound casual despite the jittery butterflies in my stomach. “I couldn’t help but notice the incredible view from here. Mind if I join you?”

The man gestured to the empty space next to him on the beach towel, a friendly grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Not at all. It’s always better to enjoy the view with good company.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I settled onto the sand next to him. The sun was casting a warm, reddish-orange glow over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and gold. It was a view that seemed almost as breathtaking as the man sitting beside me.

“I’m Sadie,” I introduced myself, extending my hand. Did that sound casual? I hoped so.

He took my hand in his with a firm, warm grip. “James. Nice to meet you, Sadie.”

“Are you from around here?”

“Oh no.” He shook his head. “Wyoming, actually. How about you?”

“Memphis.”

So, it was unlikely that this could get embarrassing. Not when we lived so far apart. I couldn’t imagine our paths ever crossing in real life. We could do whatever we wanted here.

What happened in Cancun, stayed in Cancun, right?

The conversation flowed effortlessly from there as we discussed our favorite vacation spots, the joys of traveling, and the peace that the ocean brought. I discovered he owned a sawmill and had come to Cancun to take a break from his responsibilities for a little while, just like me. James was charming and surprisingly easy to talk to, considering his gruff appearance.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm, rosy glow across the water, James turned to me. “You know, there’s a beach party happening tonight at a nearby resort. Would you like to come with me?”

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing. A beach party with this intriguing man by my side sounded like an adventure waiting to happen. I really hoped my friends would be up for it as well. “Sure, that sounds like a lot of fun. I’d love to.”

James’ grin widened, his eyes sparkling in the fading sunlight. “Great. I’ll meet you outside the hotel at 8 PM if you want? It’s the Dolphin Hotel. That one right there.”

“8 PM.” I grinned ear to ear. I was going to have to talk my friends into this, no matter what. It really was the chance of a lifetime, and I wanted to take full advantage of that. “I’ll be there.”

His eyes glinted with an exciting promise that I really hoped he could fulfill. This vacation had just gotten a million times better.

The evening was alive with the energy of the beach party, and I could hardly contain my excitement as I made my way to the nearby resort. James had promised to meet me, and luckily he was right there, just as he promised he would be, looking even more captivating in the dimly lit beachfront atmosphere.

My friends quickly scattered behind me, making their own way inside. They knew I didn’t need them now. This was going to be awesome.

James’ eyes sparkled with anticipation as he greeted me, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart race as I took in his presence. He really was the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on. If the men were like this back in Memphis, I would not be single.

“Sadie, you look stunning,” James said, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and charm.

I blushed and smiled in response, grateful for the summer dress I’d chosen for the occasion. “Thank you. You know, you don’t look too bad yourself.”

He laughed and offered me his arm. “Shall we go in?”

The party was in full swing, with a lively atmosphere that enveloped us. The music throbbed, and the crowd was a sea of laughter, dancing, and clinking glasses. James led me to the outdoor dance floor, where we joined the rhythm of the night.

We danced, our bodies moving in perfect harmony with the music. James was an excellent dancer, and I felt a connection between us that completely overshadowed everything else. His hand rested gently on the small of my back, sending shivers down my spine. I was in heaven. This was the perfect night, and I honestly never wanted it to end.

This was the alive feeling I had been chasing for far too long without even realizing it. This was what I needed, and it felt absolutely glorious to have it.

As the night progressed, James and I retreated to a quieter area by the beach, where we found a pair of lounge chairs. The moonlight bathed the scene in a soft, ethereal glow, casting our silhouettes against the sand, making this feel like a fantasy.

“I wish I could be free like this all the time,” I gasped as I sunk into my seat. “Don’t you?”

“Oh yeah. This is incredible.”

James turned to face me, smiling with a vulnerability that truly got my heart racing. I found myself drawn to him in a way I hadn’t expected. The connection between us deepened with every moment that passed as we shared eye contact.

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