Chapter 8

SAMMY

"No. Come on." I thump my head on the steering wheel of my truck.

I'm in the middle of the front driveway of the pack house and it just stalled out.

I heave a heavy sigh and blow a lock of hair out of my face. I pull my hair up into a ponytail.

I get out and open the hood. I get up and under it, trying to find the problem.

"Hey! What did I say about that thing?"

I back out of the engine compartment and look toward an angry Bastian stomping toward me.

"I know. But it's not like I did it on purpose." I scowl in frustration.

"What happened?" He crosses his arms.

I jump down off the front bumper. "I don't know. It just stalled out." I motion to the truck.

I'm really not in any mood for this because I'm freaking exhausted. Since my lunch with Bastian, I haven't slept properly because now I dream about him constantly and it's starting to get irritating.

Not only that, but he's at the front of my mind everyday too. I can barely get any work done.

He rolls up his sleeves. "Move." He demands.

"Rude." I mumble under my breath. He shoots me a look.

I step back as he climbs up and goes under the hood. Within a few minutes the truck roars to life.

I smile. "Thank you. What did you do?"

He jumps down. I hand him a rag and he wipes his hands. "Just a loose connection."

"How did you know to do that?" I ask closing the hood

He shrugs. "I used to tinker with cars as a hobby in my teen years. You should really get that thing into a shop. It's a mess."

I walk to the door. "I've been meaning to, but...." I open the door and get in. I roll down the window.

"But, what?" He asks.

I shake my head. "Nothing. Thanks again."

I don't need the rich Alpha knowing my money problems.

"Hey. No problem." He points at me. "Don't let it happen again."

I nod. "Yes, Alpha."

He turns on his heels and heads for his garage.

I sit in my cab and think that maybe the self-centered Alpha isn't as bad as he lets on.

****

I'm sitting in my office going over swatches and start to wander off in my mind.

Bastian's hot and cold act is really starting to get to me. I can't concentrate.

"What's wrong with you?" Eric looks up at me from his contracts.

I glance at him. "Nothing." I say innocently. I don't need to be getting into a conversation about the ethics of business right now.

He gets up and walks to the chair across from my desk. "Sammy. I've seen that look before."

I stare at Eric. "What look?"

"That look." He points at my face. "That starry, dreamy eyed look. The last time I saw that look...."

I point at him and squint my eyes. "Don't even say his name."

He grins. "Who is he?"

"Nobody." I pick up binders and put them on the shelf beside my desk.

"Sammy. You can't lie to me. I've known you too long. You have a love interest. Who is he?"

"He's not a love interest."

"So, there is someone." He smiles. "Someone from the mission?"

"No." I sit back down at my desk.

He thinks for a minute. "The pack house?"

"No." I avoid eye contact all together.

Again, he grins. "It is. You met someone at the pack house."

"Eric. Stop." I sit back in my chair.

"Who? Do they work there? Someone on the staff. Someone in security?......" He pries.

I'm getting frustrated. "No. Eric. Just leave it."

"Well, it can't be the Alpha." I turn around and avoid his eyes like the plague

His eyes go wide. "Oh my God, it is."

"I didn't say that." I snap.

He crosses his arms. "You didn't have to, Sam it's written all over your face. You're seriously not thinking...."

"Never. He's a client. Of course, I wouldn't." I cross my arms.

"Not that it would be a bad thing really. You and the Alpha. From a business standpoint, that would be amazing PR." He raises a brow.

"Oh my God. No. Nothing is happening and nothing is going to happen. Alright. Drop it." I scrunch my face.

He laughs, while putting his hands up. "Ok. I'll drop it, but I just hope if you do decide to make a move, you give me a head up first. I don't need to be caught off guard with a conflict of interest here."

I smile. "Don't worry Eric. You'll be the first to hear the gossip." I giggle. "Ok. I'm gone for the day and I'll be in my room if anyone needs me.

"Bye, Sammy." Eric leans back in his chair.

"Don't forget to lock up." I warn.

"I won't." He waves me off.

I shake my head and go into the house.

In my room, I kick off my heels, pull off my skirt and blouse and throw on some old coveralls and a t shirt. I throw up a blank 12 inch by 24-inch canvas.

Filling my oil paint tray, I press play on my Bluetooth speaker.

The hard guitar starts 'Just A Girl' by No Doubt.

"Take this pink ribbon off my eyes

I'm exposed

And it's no big surprise

Don't you think I know

Exactly where I stand

This world is forcing me

To hold your hand

'Cause I'm just a girl, little ol' me

Well don't let me out of your sight

Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite

So don't let me have any rights

Oh, I've had it up to here!"

I paint vigorously as the song plays. I'm desperately trying to get the image out of my mind onto the canvas.

My brush travels across his chiseled jawline. My colors hold his textured blonde color in a lock of hair that hung in his face while the rest was pulled back.

My shadows play with the rippled muscles under his shirt.

I let the music inspire me as I paint the pale blue eyes staring at me.

His tanned skin looks almost like I could reach in and feel it.

The image in my mind comes alive in the painting. My painting.

"Bastian." I whisper as I add tiny dances of light to his face.

"Oh, that's lovely."

I whip around and my mom is standing.

I huff out a breath. "You scared me."

She giggles. "Sorry honey. Who's that?" She points to the painting. "He's a good-looking one, isn't he."

I try to hide my blush. "Um, it's the Alpha."

Her brow goes up. "That's the Alpha?"

I press my lips together. "Mmhmm."

She eyes me. "Does he know you're painting him?"

"No and he's not going to know." I grab a paint towel and throw it over the painting.

My mom sighs. "Sammy, I really wish you knew how talented you are. All of these, you could live your dream."

I sit on my bed. "I am living my dream. I paint for me. That's my dream."

She smiles. "Someday I'm sure you'll change your mind." She taps my knee and gets up.

I play with my fingers. "Hey mom. Do you think there's someone out there for me?"

She tilts her head. "I'm sure of it, honey. One day you'll find him."

I look back at the painting. "Maybe."

I look back and she smiles at me. "Goodnight, sweetie."

"Night."

I walk over to the paint towel and rip it off.

Not touching the wet paint, I trace his face with my finger. "Maybe." I say to myself.

****

The next week, I'm super busy. I barely notice that I haven't seen Bastian all week.

The ballroom is coming along. I've hung the sheer curtains with silk valances. Added the wall accents and gold trims on the moldings. I finished painting the night sky on the ceiling around the skylight.

I'm exhausted. I've been behind schedule so I've been pretty much locked up in here.

Now that the painting and drapes are done. I can take a bit of rest.

Eric agreed to take over for me while I take a little vacation.

On Friday, I pack up for the day.

"Wow." A voice comes from the door.

I turn and I'm locked in place as Bastian stands in the entrance. I'm in a trance as his large frame enters the room. His shoulder length hair draped around his head in a way that begs it to be pulled.

His perfect smile is lighting up the room.

"The room’s looking great." He says in voice that has my middle quiver.

"Um...thanks." I blush. Trying to hide my desire to jump him right here.

"You're done for the day?" He asks taking a few steps closer.

I turn around and pack my bag. "Yep."

"I know I haven't been around much, but I'll see you tomorrow?" He runs his fingers through his silky blonde hair.

I spin around, scratching my temple. "Uh...no. I'm on vacation for the next week. Eric will be here to continue."

He crosses his arms and his brow stitches together. "Who's Eric?" He says it like he's asking about a boyfriend.

"He's my business partner. He's better than me." I chuckle.

He grins. "I doubt there's anyone who could match your talent." He points to the ceiling.

I follow his finger. "Yes. It's nothing really."

"You're too modest." He drawls.

I chuckle nervously. "Anyway. I'll be in touch with Eric. If he runs into issues, I'm a text away. You're in good hands."

I start to walk past him when he steps slightly in front of me. "If there's problems, I'll be calling you myself." He presence causes my breath to stutter.

I swallow. A faint heat begins to rise. I stare into his blue eyes. "Um...sure."

I walk around him and step fast out the door to the service entrance.

I blow out a shaky breath as I try to calm the fire in my stomach.

It's like he's knows what him being close does to me.

I'll need this vacation to reset. I can't get close to Bastian. Contract aside, what lies beneath is something he'd never understand.

If he knew how much of a freak I was, I'm sure he'd never speak to me again. Besides, he works for the Alliance.

The last thing I want is to end up as a lab rat. I've avoided the Alliance for the last 20 years. I'm not about to let them know about me now.

Even if I thought he wasn't as self-absorbed as he shows himself to be, him knowing what beast lives in me, is something I'm not ready for.