Page 22 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
Bud clamps a hand over Angie's mouth. Her eyes sparkle with mischief.
"No need to broadcast so loudly, Angie." I shake my head at the pair.
"We're heading back to open the bar early. There will be tea and coffee for anyone who wants to stop by," she says.
"That's good of you. I'll be sure to stop by.”
"You're a good man, Maddox Hawke." Angie pats my arm and heads toward their truck. Bud hangs back and says, "If you need me and my rifle, let me know. Pass that along to your brother."
He holds my gaze until I nod.
I watch them drive off, then move toward Branson, who strides toward me with purpose. He's on a mission, and I have a feeling I'm not going to like what he has to say.
"A woman from the lodge called the station saying Ryland manhandled her. She wants to file a formal report with me," he hisses. "What the fuck is going on?"
"I'm here. With you. How the hell should I know?" I snap, taking a deep breath.
“Ask Sofie what happened before I go see the woman. Landon said she talked fast and that he thought her name was Trista."
"That name doesn't ring a bell... Tisha?"
"Right. Tisha." He yanks his hat off his head and runs a hand through his unruly hair. "Sorry, I snapped. I can do without that shit right now."
“Are we done here?" I nod toward the forest, where Janice and her crew are gradually reappearing and stepping into the parking lot.
"Yeah, I think so."
"I'll head back to the lodge." I pause. “Angie and Bud are offering free tea and coffee at the bar for anyone interested. I'll stop by briefly."
“I’ll let everyone know." Branson turns and walks to meet Janice. She shoots me a long glare, and I feel her eyes on me as I pull away and head into town.
I make a quick stop at Bud's to show my face, then head to my cabin.
I'm in desperate need of a shower, so I decide to take one before I go find Sofie.
My damp hairis fastened up in what my mother insists is called a "man bun," and I'm dressed in my favorite color, black. I'm wearing a Henley shirt and jeans with my black biker boots. I'll be heading out on my Harley at some point. I step onto the porch of Sofie's cabin and hear giggling from inside. I pause for a moment, then realize I'm smiling to myself.
As I reach out to knock, the door flies open, and I'm stunned. The toothpick in my mouth falls out as I gawk—there's no other word for it—at a nearly naked Sofie standing in front of me. I know Judean is standing beside her, but I can't tear my eyes away from all the skin Sofie is showing.
"Fuck me!" I vaguely hear Colton and sense him beside me, but my eyes are struggling to move.
Swallowing hard, I finally manage to look at Sofie's red face before my gaze drops to her fantastic breasts. Jesus! This woman was sent to test me. I'm sure of it. I swipe a hand down my face, but the image doesn't change. "What?" I croak, clearing my throat. "What are you wearing?"
“I was just about to ask Judean that." Colton stands beside me with his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the woman.
I shake my head and force my gaze to stay on Sofie's face. "What is that?" I wave my hand up and down between us, indicating her bikini.
Sofie rolls her eyes. "It's a bikini. We're going in the hot tub.”
"They shortchanged you," I mutter, inhaling deeply. “Don’t you have a cover-up or something?”
"Yeah, babe." Colton shoves in front of me. "Judean, you need to cover up that sexy fucking body. No one gets to see all your—" He waves a hand, indicating her chest. "All your—fucking hell—tits and ass," he hisses.
I notice the way Judean moves slightly behind Sofie, trying to hide from my brother's harsh words. I shove him to the side. "What he means is that he doesn't want another guy ogling you like he is."
"Damn right I don't!"
I hold Sofie's gaze. "I don't want anyone looking at you either."
