The Alpha's Saviour

Chapter 15

Hayley POV

           Literally, the very next day, after agreeing the work and the costs with Cooper over lunch, an army of workers with vans full of supplies descend upon my house and it has been a hive of activity ever since. For the last week and a half, Cooper has arrived early every morning, before the rest of the crew, just to ‘keep me in the loop of what they are doing’. He appears every day just in time to enjoy a cup of coffee and a quiet chat on the porch before I dash off to work, and it has become the highlight of my day. Seeing his handsome smiling face as he climbs out of his truck cheers me up without fail, and just being close to him sets my heart racing. I suspect he feels the same judging by the tension that seems to hover around us when we get close, the little glances we sneak at each-other, and how he watches me intently when he thinks I’m not looking. No guy I have ever met has taken things this slow though, it seems almost old fashioned and romantic, and I would adore it if it weren’t driving me crazy in anticipation. Or maybe I’m reading the signals completely wrong, my current predicament is testament to the fact that I’m not always a great reader of people’s true intentions.

I already have two cups in my hand as I hear his boots hit the porch steps and my heart skips a beat. I hear him turn straight for the porch swing to make himself comfortable instead of coming inside, as has become our little routine. I look at the clock and can’t help but chuckle, it’s 7 am on the dot, you could set your watch by the man. There is something very comforting and reassuring about having this dependable, kind man around after the last 6 months of chaos. I can’t stop the big grin that appears on my face as I sit down beside him and hand him a cup. I tuck my legs up underneath me and the two of us sit in companionable silence for a few minutes, looking at the slight fog still hovering over the lake this early in the morning, and the birds flying low over the water. He is dressed for a hard day’s work in boots, khaki combats and a white t-shirt, and there is something undeniably sexy about a capable man who works with his hands. The white sets off his sallow skin beautifully, and his short dark brown hair, slightly longer on top, has grown out a bit the accident and has a slight curl to it now at the back of his neck. I want to reach out and touch those curls to see if they’re as soft as they look. I want to grab his biceps and see if the muscles there are as hard as they look. I kind of want to bite him and that’s not something I’ve ever thought about a man before. The man is just so handsome it makes my heart ache, but there is more going on between us than just that. I feel a connection to him, and the more we talk about our families, work, and just boring everyday life, it seems to be getting deeper and deeper.

He blows the steam coming over the top of the cup, and my gaze falls to his full lips, and I can’t stop thinking about how much I want to taste them, to feel them kiss my lips, my body. He pauses and turns to me, one eyebrow raised in a silent question as he catches me staring and I feel my cheeks growing pink. Instead of turning back and making me feel uncomfortable at getting caught staring, he places his cup gently down onto the floor, and leans against the back of the swing, wraps one arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him and tucking me into his side like it’s the most natural thing in the world. The shock takes me a second to recover from, but then I relax and rest my head on his shoulder, and we sit there for another 10 minutes enjoying the peace and quiet, as if it’s always been this way. It just feels so right. It’s as if we have both agreed that whatever we have going on has shifted this morning, from friendship to something else, without needing to say a word. That little gesture has stated an intent, and I can’t wait to see what that brings.  

Our little bubble is broken by the sound of a pickup truck turning into the driveway, and I hear laughter and joking as Ethan and Coopers younger brother Nathan, park down the side of the house and start to unload supplies from the back.

“What are you doing after work?” Cooper asks quietly, his breath tickling my neck while he draws lazy circles on my shoulder with his thumb. Just that small touch has my nerves singing and desire shooting straight to my core, and I clench my legs together to try and appease the tension growing steadily there. I am still in my bed shorts and tank top, with just a thin dressing gown over it, and I am very conscious that I’m not dressed yet while being pressed up to the side of this gorgeous man.

“Nothing, a bit of painting I guess.” I say shrugging slightly, turning to face him and trying to pretend I’m not as giddy as I feel. I’m getting a bit dazed just from looking into his deep brown eyes.

“No painting tonight, take a break, I’m cooking dinner for us.” He stands and leans over to press a soft kiss to my forehead, “I’ll see you when you get home.” He whispers close to my ear, and goosebumps cover my skin at the promise that those words hold. I nod but I am still a bit stunned when he steps away from me and heads inside the house just as the others come around the corner and into view. Ethan is grinning knowingly at me as he comes up the steps, giving me a wink and a peck on the cheek as he passes.

“Morning gorgeous.”

“You don’t have to let him do that you know,” says Nathan laughing, “He’s not European or something, he’s just a pervert.” Ethan hits Nathan on the back of the head as they follow Cooper indoors.

           “It’s too good of a chance to wind Cooper up, helps of course that you’re cute as hell Hayley.” Ethan winks at me, his blue eyes sparkling with delight as Cooper fixes him with an icy glare. He might be all smiles with me, but I’ve seen this side of him too with any of the men on site that pay me attention. It shouldn’t make me happy that he seems to be a bit jealous, but it does.

           “I might have to get in on that action,” Nathan smirks, and pretends to back up and make a move towards me.

           “No way, that’s enough.” Cooper shouts as Nathan gets within arm’s reach of me, before Nathan halts, and lets out a loud laugh, shaking his head.

           “Oh man, this is too easy. Whatever you have done to my brother Hayley, I love it.” Nathan continues to laugh as Cooper throws a chunk of wood at him, cursing them both under his breath. I leave them to their good-natured teasing to go and get ready for the day with a big smile plastered on my face, feeling truly happy for the first time in a long time.