Page 9 of Rescued by the Alpha

Nic regarded him. “Don’t feel like you have to finish on my account.”

Elam squirmed in his chair again. “I’m very grateful for all you’re doing for me and it seems rude not to eat what you’ve gone to so much effort to prepare.”

Nic set down his fork, then gestured for Elam’s plate. Worried that he might have pissed off his rescuer, Elam handed it over without a word. His eyes widened as Nic scraped the remaining eggs and sausage on top of the second helping he’d begun eating.

“Like I said, no big deal.” He offered Elam a quirk of a smile. “I eat a lot.”

How the fuck does he burn it off? The guy was all tight, solid muscle. Not an ounce of flab on

him, yet he wasn’t enormous either. Elam couldn’t fathom how he was using up so many calories stuck inside a cabin in the winter.

Elam fiddled with his coffee mug and smiled back. “As long as it doesn’t go to waste.”

Nic made a small grunting sound. “Not much chance of that.”

Taking a sip of his lukewarm coffee, Elam searched his mind for an appropriate topic of conversation. He’d already rejected queries such as ‘what’s a hot guy like you doing all alone?’ and

‘would it be rude if I kissed you?’.

“I was going to get some more coffee. Would you like some?”

Elam’s ass hadn’t even left the chair before Nic had shot to his feet.

“Stay there. I’ll get it.”

What the…? “Nic, it’s making me very uncomfortable the way you keep waiting on me like this.” Elam let out a chuckle. “I can get coffee. I’m not an invalid.”

Nic whirled around from where he stood at the small kitchen counter, his expression radiating anger. “I won’t have you making yourself sick. You’re supposed to be resting!”

Elam’s jaw fell open, his gut clenching, his mind struggling to comprehend the bizarre outburst.

“I’m very confused right now. I don’t see the harm in me getting us some coffee, for heaven’s sake.”

Nic’s eyes widened, and he held a hand to his mouth. After a moment, he let it drop as he exhaled on a long sigh. “I… I apologize. I hope you can cut me a break. I’m out here alone most of the time, my family already knows what a grouch I am and I tend to blurt out whatever’s in my head without thinking first.”

Elam could see where the guy was coming from, but it still didn’t explain why he’d freaked out over him getting coffee. He decided to let it pass. After all, he was an unexpected guest who’d be out of Nic’s hair in no time. Then they’d probably only run into each other on occasion after that. It didn’t matter. Elam swallowed. Except it feels like it does.

He offered Nic a small smile, hoping to mask the inexplicable sadness his thoughts had caused.

“I understand. It’s difficult isn’t it? Two strangers thrown together like this, not accustomed to each other’s rhythms. That’s bound to make getting to know each other better more difficult, make it easier to misinterpret intent.”

Elam bit his bottom lip to keep from blabbing any more philosophical nonsense while Nic arched his eyebrows in apparent confusion. The awkwardness of the moment stretched into silence as Elam wracked his brain for a subject-changer.

Nic cleared his throat then glanced away. “So… long as I’m up. I’ll grab us both some more coffee.”

Elam held in a groan. Everything about being in Nic’s presence rattled him. But as he’d already

reminded himself, he’d soon be at his own place and anything involving Nic would no longer be a concern. Elam rubbed at his chest, grimacing. Except that only makes me feel much worse.

* * * *

Nic had given up on doing anymore carving for the day. Being distracted by the delectable Elam while using sharp objects no longer seemed advisable. Instead, he’d busied himself rubbing oil into the pine framing the fireplace hearth while Elam napped. In my bed. Nic usually waited for spring to do wood maintenance, but the tedium of the job was needed. Until Elam was out of his cabin for good, his brain would remain mush.

He rubbed more vigorously with the soft rag, frowning at the stab of pain hitting his chest at the thought of Elam leaving.

He’s feeling it too.

Nic had assumed that since Elam was a human, the mating pull wouldn’t be an issue. He’d reasoned that all he had to do was exercise restraint around him until it was time to take him to his place, then he would speak with the pack’s spirit guide and healer, maybe figure out what was going on. Instead, Elam had shocked him by how eager he was to please, how he would stare at him when he thought Nic wasn’t looking, and the way his luscious scent strengthened whenever they interacted.