Page 41 of Tinsel Time Treasure
“Ok…” I paused. “Tell me about your job?”
He chuckled. “Not much to tell. Right now I’m taking a break and teaching spin classes, but my usual work means helping people meet their fitness goals. We discuss what they want to accomplish, and I create a program for them to make it happen.”
I hummed to indicate that I was still listening, though his voice was so soothing I was already almost asleep again.
“It’s the perfect job for me,” he said softly. “There’s nothing quite like knowing that I’m helping people in their quests to make their lives better.”
I smiled, snuggling into the pillow. If only I’d met a man like Max sooner.
He continued to talk, but soon enough I couldn’t focus on his words, only the timbre of his voice—the warm tone that seemed to wrap around me and soothe the jagged edges of my emotions.
“Good night,” he finally said, when I was just falling asleep again.
Chapter 14 - Max
The heavenly aroma of coffee filled the kitchen, but even that couldn’t cut through the anxiety.
My alpha side demanded that I protect Justin, but could I? Sure, from his description I would easily be able to handle the alpha giving him problems, but we really didn’t know to what lengths the other man would go.
He’d already broken into Justin’s apartment. Was violence really that far behind?
I braced my palms against the edge of the counter and stared into the sink.
Justin had felt so fragile in my arms when I’d carried him into the guest bedroom the night before—like the stress of it all had him on the verge of shattering, even in his sleep.
His scream still echoed in my memory, when it had roused me from slumber and left me convinced that his stalker had not only found him, but broken into my apartment to further terrorize him.
That it had been a nightmare was somehow worse. In a matter of weeks he’d been reduced to fear so deeply ingrained that he couldn’t find refuge even in his dreams.
“Damnit!” I snarled, slapping my hands on the counter.
There was a squeak of surprise from the entrance to the kitchen, and I reined in my anger before turning to face Justin. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
He gave me a weak smile that somehow made me feel worse, and all I wanted to do was pull him into my arms.
“Do you want some coffee?” I offered. “I made enough for both of us.”
He nodded. “I’d like that, thank you.”
I pulled two mugs out of the cabinet. “Room for cream and sugar?”
“Just a bit.”
“Ok.”
I silently scolded myself as I poured the coffee and set the cream on the counter. The last thing Justin needed was an alpha who couldn’t control his emotions. I should be a help, not a hindrance.
“What are your plans for today?” I asked after a moment.
“I…” he licked his lips, and for the briefest moment I wanted to kiss him.
“I was going to read reviews on some indoor camera systems this morning,” he answered. “Then… I guess I’ll order one online.”
“Do you need to call your work and let them know?”
His eyes widened. “Shit, I totally forgot.”
“Hey,” I murmured, walking over to place my hands on his arms. “It’s ok. How about you call your work, and I’ll call mine.”
