ALPHA’S PREY

He shrugs. “You’re in my cabin. You’ll have to put up with my ways. I mean no harm by it.”

I snort. “It’s patronizing.”

“Lady, what’s your problem?”

The lady gets to me, too. “You wanna know?” I throw my hands up. “You want to know what my problem is? My problem is every man I’ve ever met tries to tell me what to do. Treats me like a doormat and tramples all over me. I have news for you, buddy.” My voice rises now. “You think you’re God’s gift to the green earth, and women are just here to massage your egos, suck your cocks and, I don’t know, be eye candy. But we’re not. We’re not here for you.”

Caleb stares at me like I’m a hissing goose. Which I guess I am. It’s weird but it feels good to give a man a piece of my mind for a change. Something I can’t ever do back at the lab, since the entire science world is ruled by men. One wrong word and you’re forever passed over for the good positions.

“I don’t know what a man did to you, but there’s no reason to take it out on me.”

Finished with the dishes, I slump into a chair. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated to be stranded here without my computer. I have so much to do and no way to do it.” Bear comes and licks my hand.

“And I’d rather be asleep on the couch. But we’re stuck together, so we might as well make the best of it.”

The washing machine buzzes and I surge to my feet, grateful for something-anything to do. I throw my clothes in the dryer and start it up.

Everything in the cabin is neat and clean. Well-maintained. It’s simple and rustic, but not completely without creature comforts. For example, I noticed there was a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink. And there are ceiling fans in the living area.

Observe the rustic mountain man in his natural habitat…

I clear my throat. “Do you suppose it will snow all day?”

Caleb looks out the window. “Might. Either way, you won’t be leaving. I’d count on staying at least one more night here. Maybe two if it doesn’t stop snowing.” He lifts his chin in the direction of what must be the bedrooms. “You can take the room on the left. There’s sheets in the top drawer of the dresser.”

“Thank you.” I’m regretting my outburst. It’s strange I felt comfortable enough to get snappish with a stranger. Maybe the manner we spent the night last night has something to do with it. “I do appreciate your hospitality. I didn’t mean to sound-”

He waves me off. “Save it. I don’t require an apology. Not when my manners are shit.”

Well. That shouldn’t make my chest turn all warm and fluttery. I have no idea why I’m so attracted to this man.

I head into the bedroom to put the sheets on the bed. It’s painted in lavender. A single twin bed stands against one wall, the mattress bare. I find sheets in the drawer, like he said. Flowered sheets.

Caleb definitely doesn’t strike me as the purple-walled flowered sheet kind of man. Not even for a guest bed. So who bought the sheets? Did they come with the place? Maybe he rents and his landlord provided them. Except I feel certain it’s his place. It just reflects him so well.

I make the bed and throw the folded comforter I find in the closet-also flowered in bright cheery colors-over the top. I should just stay in this room and give him some space. The place is small and he didn’t ask for a guest, after all.

Except it’s chillier in the room. There’s no fire. And nothing to do.

Oh, who am I kidding? There’s no Caleb. And I’m drawn to the man like a bear to honey.

I head back into the main area, suddenly remembering I should have my iPad and tree ring samples in my backpack. That would give me something to work on.

“Caleb?”

He jerks and I smother a laugh. The man fell asleep in the few minutes I was out of the room. I guess he didn’t sleep well last night with me plastered up against his body.

“Did I have a backpack on when you rescued me?”

“Erm, yes.” He rubs his face and surges to his feet. His long legs flex powerfully and he makes the movement look graceful despite his large size and the low couch. He retrieves my backpack from behind the front door. “Here you go.”

“Thank God,” I breathe, more to myself than to him. “I can start cataloguing.”

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DAMN, this female is going to drive me apeshit. And not just because she’s a pain in the ass-which she is. More because being trapped in this small space with her is doing raunchy things to my bear.

Ideally I could just go to my bedroom, shut the door and sleep until it’s time for her to leave. But humans don’t hibernate, and she would think it’s weird. Plus, she keeps waking me up for shit.

She bustles past me, muttering to herself, “The male of the species masters only the most basic life skills. More advanced nesting techniques are left to the female, who will create a nurturing environment for her offspring-”

“What the fuck?” I blurt and she whirls, face red.

“What?” Her lips move, shaping excuses. “Um, did I say that out loud? Sorry, I entertain myself by pretend narrating. It’s just a stupid game.”

Damn, her face is so cute. With her flushed cheeks and parted lips, she looks freshly fucked and pleasured.

No. No. No. Do not think about that…

“Just-” I wave my hand towards the opposite end of the cabin. “Stay over there.”

Great. Way to be hospitable.