The Alpha's Stolen Mate

Chapter 6 - Will this day never end

Is it possible to feel emotionally and physically drained from merely smiling at customers and engaging in friendly banter with a work colleague? Seriously, I need to know.

My hands worked autonomously as I grabbed a float count sheet and collected the largest denomination notes for the 'end of day' procedure. There was a sense of relief associated with the familiar act of routine. It allowed my mind to revisit the highlights of the day and dissect each moment in search of some form of an explanation for why I was feeling so depleted.

The notes slide effortlessly from one hand to the other, then back into the drawer. I glance over to Amyleigh's booth, her movements mimicking mine. I wonder if sycronised cashier workers would ever become a sport.

As I scooped up the first section of coins, the friendly back and forth banter we shared during our shift seemed more Dr Whittaker themed nagging than random chatter. The gentle pings and chimes of the coins landing back in the drawer developed into clangs and thuds as they increased in size, much like my annoyance with Amyleigh's mother hen attitude to my memory recovery.

I tally up my figures, bringing my register back to the morning float, ready for the next day. Amyleigh already had everything bundled up in her arms and was skipping down the isle towards the office. Why isn't she as exhausted as I am? She was the one with the rapid fire questions and appointment scheduling harrassment. The annoyance clung to me like wet clothes. I gathered my things and headed for the direction of Amyleigh.

I made it halfway down the isle before I noticed that Buck was standing in the office doorway. Definitely not who I want to see right now. Turning on the spot I scurried back to my register. Bags needed to be refilled, pens checked, displays' tidied up, basically anything and everything was a potential stalling technique. Somewhere between, running out of menial tasks and questionable time limits to complete shutdown procedures, I glanced towards the office door. He was gone.

The coast was clear. The office was empty. I locked my cash drawer away with the other drawers and headed towards my locker. I couldn't wait for this day to end. Unlocking the door, I stowed my name tag and keys in my locker and reached for my bag.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"You scared me," I turned to face the accusing voice, locking eyes with an unamused Amyleigh blocking the doorway. "I'm heading home, why?"

"Oh no you're not." Her foot started tapping on the linoleum floor. "Have you forgotten something?"

It suddenly all came flooding back, the farewell, s***h, welcome party Amyleigh had planned for straight after our shift. Throwing my bag back in the locker, I planted my best, please forgive me, expression on my face and relocked the door. Amyleigh had already forgiven me, as I knew she would, and was placing all the bags and boxes in her arms onto the kitchen table. Before I could ask what she wanted me to do, she shoved a stack of plates and bowls against my chest and pointed to the bags of snacks on the table.

There was no point arguing with her. I submitted to her demands and set about filling bowls and arranging plates. There were enough snacks here to feed an army. There was pretzels, lollies, chips and dips, the deli meats alone filled two large platter trays.

"Are there really that many cheese varieties?" I asked myself as I unwrapped the eighth packet and squeezed it on the plate with the rest of them.

"Actually there are hundreds of types of cheese. It all depends on the process and length of time they are left to ripen." The deep husky voice came from behind me. I spun around quickly, locking eyes with the Adonis now blocking the doorway.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment but I couldn't look away. I was lost and trapped in the blue depths of his eyes. Any coherent thought was being swallowed up by the fog of my mind, while the tiny, little hairs all over my body were standing to attention.

"Do you need a hand with anything?" Buck asked taking a step towards me.

"No." I squeaked. I cleared my throat and tried again. "No thank you, I've got it all under control."

It took all my willpower to drag my eyes away from his piercing blue gaze. Somehow I managed and turned my attention back to the smorgasbord of snacks completely covering the table. There were no more bags or boxes left. All the nibbles were spread out over the table, daring me to pick them up and carry them past Buck and out to the makeshift party room.

Will this day never end.

I decided to take the dare and started picking up plates, balancing them along my arm and on top of each other. My heart was racing. My mind was purring. Yes, purring. I was acutely aware of Buck's presence behind me. Each cautious step he took, brought him closer. His scent filled my nostrils and I could feel myself losing control of my body.

I slowly turned around, a sidestep escape plan forming in my mind. His thick set chest was within arms reach and I so badly wanted to feel it under my hands. The plates balancing on my arm were shaking, threatening to crash to the floor. Buck reached out to grab them, his fingers grazing the bare flesh on my arm, sending chills to every part of me.

That was it. My legs started to fold up underneath me and all the strength drained from my body. I was going to hit the floor for the second time today. I figured that there was no point fighting it, just close your eyes and brace for impact.

There was no impact. Actually there was no plates crashing to the floor, sounds either. There was just heat, a warm security blanket type heat. I opened my eyes and stared into the blue depths of his eyes. He had tiny brown specks around his pupils and there were four different shades of blue. It was like looking at an opal in the light of the sun. A smile crossed his face drawing my attention to the brilliant whiteness of his perfectly straight teeth and his lips. They were so close and soft looking I wanted to feel them against mine. As if reading my mind, I could feel Buck's arms around me, lifting me up. Slowly bringing my lips closer to his.

"What the hell is going on here!"

Buck lifted me to my feet, making sure I wasn't going to drop to the floor again, before taking a step back. I used the table to steady myself and looked to see who it was yelling at us.

"Hi David."