Page 8 of Rescued by the Alpha

Elam sighed as he regarded his scruffy appearance one more time, his only saving grace being that although they were wrinkled, at least his clothes were clean. His emerald green flannel shirt was nice and comfy, but sadly, he was back in his own jeans. Wearing Nic’s sweats had been almost decadent.

“Enough of this nonsense,” he muttered to himself.

He was in Alaska for one reason only. To clear his head so he could get his life back on track.

A life he chose and had nothing to do with another man. He’d given up too much of himself to make Andy happy. He wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice. And anyway, its not as if Nic isinterested. The guy could have anyone. He pushed aside the nagging voice in his head, the one reminding him that Nic had been alone by his own admission, as he pushed open the door to the bathroom.

As Elam passed through the bedroom, his eyes strayed to the bed. Nic’s insistence that he take it had been unexpected, and Elam had assured him it wasn’t necessary. However, Nic wouldn’t take no for an answer. His offer had come off sounding a tad gruff, but Elam had thought it sweet of him, nonetheless. In someone else, Elam might have thought Nic’s behavior bossy, but he’d caught the undertone of worry in his voice. Elam had given in almost right away. He’d been exhausted with a pounding headache along with still being a bit queasy, and he’d spent most of the rest of the day napping.

As Elam entered the main area of the cabin, Nic glanced up from where he was perched on the dining room table, his feet resting on one of the chairs where he was once again carving a small piece of wood. When Elam had woken from one of his naps the day before, emerging from the bedroom for some water, he’d been greeted with almost the same scene. Nic had said it kept him busy, since he didn’t have television or even a computer, and that he carved small, decorative pieces to sell during the harshest winter months when using his workshop was out of the question.

“Did you find everything okay? I left some deodorant and fresh towels on the stand in the

bathroom while you were asleep.” Nic set down his knife and the piece of wood as he lowered his eyes and turned his head. “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

A shiver ran through Elam at the visual of Nic in the bedroom while he was unaware. Did hestare at me too? The thought of such a thing should creep him out, yet it didn’t.

“N-no, you didn’t disturb me, not at all.” He struggled to keep his voice from cracking. “And I did find everything, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Nic had responded in the brusque manner that Elam had determined was his normal way of speaking. “I’ll start some fresh coffee.”

Nic slid off the table then padded toward the kitchen, the roll of his hips as he’d maneuvered off the piece of furniture and the assured manner in which he moved making Elam’s throat dry up even more. He ran his palm over his mouth then down his chin. Oh boy. He needed to snap out of it. Who knew when it would be possible for him to leave the cabin to get to his place? He was sure Nic wouldn’t appreciate some drooling stranger he was stuck caring for ogling him all the time as if he were a big slice of chocolate cake.

“Hey, can I help with anything?” Elam gave a shaky chuckle. “I feel bad about the way you’ve been waiting on me.”

Nic’s back was to him as he filled an iron kettle with water. “Don’t worry about it. You should rest. Go on and have a seat and I’ll cook up some breakfast.” He peered over his shoulder without making eye contact. “You like your eggs scrambled or over easy? That’s about what I can do.”

Elam furrowed his brow. He was being such a bother to the poor guy. “Scrambled is fine, but please, don’t go to any trouble.”

Nic was back to speaking to the wall. “No trouble.”

Elam nodded even though Nic couldn’t see him. They’d made small talk the night before, the basic niceties that people shared when meeting for the first time. Other than his untimely confession about Andy, they’d kept the conversation to mundane topics. He sighed, Of course we did. They were strangers. But even though Nic hadn’t been animated when he’d spoken the night before—his deep voice monotone, his sentences clipped, the timbre sometimes coming out with the hint of a sexy growl at the end of a sentence—he’d somehow seemed friendlier than he was in the new day.

Maybe it’s finally dawned on him he might be stuck with me for a while.

Elam made his way to the table then sat down next to where Nic had set the piece he’d been working on. He didn’t want to touch the wood carving, as if it would be too intimate of an act. A portion of Nic’s heart had been poured into the object. It only held beauty due to his deft hands. Elam narrowed his eyes, leaning closer to the piece to see if he could work out what it was supposed to be.

It’s a bear. A grizzly, I think.

Nic set a mug of coffee in front of him and Elam gasped, abruptly straightening as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.

“It’s for my nephew. His birthday’s coming up.” Nic was already halfway back to the stove. “I hope you don’t mind that the coffee’s black. I don’t have any cream, but if you want, I have some honey.”

Elam wrapped his hands around the mug, absorbing the delicious heat. “Black is fine.” He shifted on the chair, restless from not being allowed to help Nic, and if he was being truthful, a bit embarrassed by it too. Sure, his head still throbbed dully through the veil of painkillers, but he was no longer queasy or wobbly.

Nic returned with two plates piled with fluffy scrambled eggs and some sausage links. He set them both down, placing Elam’s in front of him. Elam took a sip of his coffee, wanting to wait until Nic had his first bite before digging in. Nic glanced up after stuffing a forkful of eggs in his mouth, frowning at Elam as he chewed.

He swallowed. “If your stomach is still upset, don’t feel you have to eat anything to please me.”

Elam almost choked on his coffee, so set it down before he could make a mess. “Oh, I…” Isthat what I was doing? “No, my stomach’s fine.” He offered Nic what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Looks great, thanks.”

Nic narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly then gave him a quick nod before returning to his food. Elam set about eating his breakfast, realizing after the first few bites that he’d never be able to finish the amount that had been piled on his plate. By contrast, Nic was wolfing down his large meal as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

I don’t know what he was thinking by giving me the same amount as him.

Elam ate as much as he could but stopped before he overdid it. He doubted Nic would appreciate him hurling up what he’d just prepared. Elam set down his fork, his breakfast only half-eaten, while Nic had already returned to the table with another helping.

“Um, I was thinking I could save the rest for later.”