Page 14 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
"That doesn't help. They're all hunky."
My brothers nudge each other and laugh. I stand. "Let's get you to bed."
"Are you coming with me?" she asks, batting her eyelashes.
Ignoring my amused brothers, I say, "I'll tuck you in."
"I want someone to tuck me in!" Her friend Judean complains.
"Don't worry, babe. I'll tuck you in."
"Have we met before?" Judean asks.
"I'm Colton Hawke, at your service," he tells her. She practically floats toward my youngest brother.
"You're a bit young for me. Do you even know what to do with it?" Judean stumbles, but Colton steadies her.
Our brothers laugh their heads off, and even Branson chuckles. Colton gives them the finger as he wraps an arm around Judean’s waist. "Babe, I can assure you that I know exactly what to do with it."
"I bet you could teach him a thing or two," Sofie mumbles as I pull her close, wanting to teach her a few things.
"Sofie, let's just get you to bed so you can sleep." As we move out onto the deck, I hear a whiny voice wondering where Sofieand Judean have gone. I steer Sofie in the opposite direction and pick up speed before we're caught. Hidden behind the bushes on one of the small pathways, I glance at Sofie, who lets out a sigh.
"I think I'm okay now. Food and fresh air always help me feel better."
"Do you get drunk often?"
She gives a very unladylike snort. "I hardly ever get drunk. I needed some Dutch courage to be surrounded by piranhas." She grins at me. "I think I like Judean. She told me she's the one who gets invited to events just to fill up the guest list." She scrunches her nose. "That's kind of sad."
"Maybe you have a friend in her."
"I'd like that." She pauses. "It really is beautiful here."
I agree, but I remain silent as she stares off into the distance, lost in thought. This has been my home for almost ten years. I can't imagine living elsewhere. I've built my life here, and I'm content. The woman in my arms slowly leads me further along the path to her suite. It's a small cabin set back from the main part of the lodge, behind the landscaped pathways. It's private, and I hope her snooping soon-to-be family members won't find it at least not for a day or two.
"I like how you and your brothers interact. It's sweet."
I chuckle and pull her into my body, wrapping an arm around her neck. "Sometimes it's sweet. Sometimes it's a war zone," I reply, kissing her forehead.
She sighs, hugs me, and rests her head on my chest. I swallow hard, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over me. "This is me," she says softly. "Do you want to come inside?”
My heart suddenly races, then calms. "Sofie, if I come in with you, I'm going to spend the night making love to you." I cup her face. "You're still engaged, and you'd feel guilty in the morning, plus I wouldn’t let you go.” Resting my forehead gently againsthers, I whisper, "When we're together, I don't want you to have any regrets."
Tears hover on her lashes as she struggles to control her emotions. "I haven't been here a day. This instant connection with you scares me, Maddox. Yet at the same time, I feel exhilarated."
I kiss each of her eyelids and force myself to step away. "I'm not going anywhere." I pull her back into my arms, holding her close as I rest my chin on the top of her head. I could hold Sofie like this for a long time. She gives me peace, even though my body reacts to her. She isn't mine and holding her like this is the closest I'll allow myself to get right now.
"I should get to bed," she says, yawning.
"Bed sounds good." I squeeze her one last time before releasing her. She smiles and hesitates for a moment before turning and entering her room.
Looking out toward the mountains, I look up at the sky and exhale loudly. Sofie Ryan has been sent here to tempt me like no other woman. I chuckle and shake my head as I head toward the family cabins.
As I head through the tunnel of kissing trees, Branson steps out of the shadows and walks with me, slowing my pace, knowing he wants to talk. "I like her," he says. "Not so much the people she's with."
I frown. "You met the group?"
He huffs out a laugh. "I was ambushed as soon as I stepped inside the resort. You'd think they'd never seen a cop before."
