Page 11 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
Lucian Snow.
Alphas didn’t become arborists. It wasn’t what was considered a rugged man’s job. Most of the tree surgeons I knew were women.
Yet here was Lucian in all his Alpha glory. And fuck, with the soft golden rays from the sun lighting his beautifullysculpted face, he was like an angel stepping out of his heavenly chariot.
Yeah, because angels drove pickups.
When he turned his head to see me, he froze for a few seconds and then a slow smile spread across his face. He swept his pale blond hair back out of his eyes and slipped on a black beanie. What would it feel like to run my fingers through his silky hair? Every movement hypnotized me, and I was still staring like a love struck schoolgirl when he walked over to me.
Artemis sat in front of me with her head tilted to the side. I felt her tail twitch a few times. She typically stared down Alphas who came near me, so this was odd. She’d been in the van when I met Lucian and Jasper, but I wondered if she smelled Balthazar on him and was hoping for another sled ride.
“Good morning. This is a pleasant surprise.” Lucian’s smooth voice was like caramel for my ears. Sweet and warm, and I couldn’t get enough of it. “In case you don’t remember, we met briefly on Sunday at Silver Tree Farm. I’m Lucian Snow.”
I hadn’t forgotten. I couldn’t forget. I smiled despite the situation. “I remember. Mariska Belmont.” No hands were offered to shake. Then it struck me that I was alone with an Alpha. Unescorted and in the middle of nowhere. I swallowed hard, my heart thumping louder, and placed my hand on Artemis’ head to remind myself that I did have protection. “This is Artemis. She’s well trained, so she won’t bite unless I tell her to. Which I won’t! We’re just out here working, right? Just another day on the job.”
I was rattling. Did he think I was an idiot now?
Lucian chuckled and bent down on one knee.
Oh God! Was he going to propose?
What the fuck? Why was that the first possibility that slammed into my head?
“May I introduce myself to Artemis?” His question threw me for a loop for a second. “I love animals. My pack says I get along better with them than people sometimes.”
“Yes, of course,” I replied in a weird tittering falsetto. Then more calmly, I patted my dog. “Artemis, good girl. Lucian is a friend. Friend.”
That was the word to let her know that the person wasn’t dangerous. Not that it looked like she thought he was to begin with. Artemis leaned forward to sniff his outstretched hand and then stepped forward to rub against him as he gave her scratches.
“What a good girl.” Lucian loved on my dog, and something in me clenched with envy.
This was ridiculous. Jealous of a dog! I shouldn’t be imagining what it would be like to be wrapped in his arms with his hands exploring my body.
First off, I shouldn’t even be out here alone with an Alpha. It was against the law. The board knew I was an Omega, and this felt like one last slap in the face before I left the company. Fuck them and their bullshit.
Second, this meant Lucian was probably related to someone on the board. A nepo hire, or at least he was a friend of someone on the board. The entire board were assholes.
So what did that make Lucian?
Gorgeous, sweet…
No.Put your damn defenses up, Mariska. Just get the job done and get out of here.
Lucian stood and smiled at me. Artemis pressed against his side making goo-goo eyes up at him.
I had to be the strong one. Keep the end goal in mind. California. Dream job.
“I didn’t know you were a tech. How long have you been working for Blue Skies?” Lucian asked, his tone much more relaxed than I was feeling.
Alpha. Nepo hire. Dream job. Focus.
“Well, you had no way of knowing.” The crispness of my voice matched the wind. I yanked my gaze from him and gestured to the various copses of trees. “Time is ticking. We need to get the survey done. I assume you know what you’re doing out here.”
Lucian paused at my words. I couldn’t tell what was going through his head. I wasn’t going to look at his expression, because it would be too difficult to look away from his beautiful face again.
I used the moment of quiet to start walking and took out my tablet, bringing up the file for the Kraus site. He was here for business. I was here for business. No one needed to touch anyone to do the work. I had self control.
Glancing back, I saw him start to follow. His brows furrowed as he chewed on some thoughts, a shine of hurt in his gray eyes. A stabbing flurry of guilt struck me.
