I didn’t get a response to that. Instead, I found myself being lifted into strong arms.
“Ooo, strong alpha,” I sighed, rubbing against his back.
His grip on me was firm but careful—or at least that’s how it felt, because I was barely conscious by the time we reached my room. I vaguely registered the feeling of being lowered into bed. His hands were gentle as he tucked the covers around me, and I could’ve sworn I heard him mutter, “Goddess help me,” under his breath.
I could swear I also got a kiss on my forehead before he left.
Then again, I could have imagined it.
Because no way in hell would a guy like Holden—this strong, silent, brooding, and so damn hot alpha—actually care about someone like me.
Right?
CHAPTER TEN
HOLDEN
I couldn’t rememberthe last time I’d woken up in this good a mood.
One of those moods that made you feel like you were on top of the world. And I probably looked crazy to everyone with just how much I was smiling. I wasn’t sure my facial muscles—at least the ones needed to smile—had gotten this much of a workout in a very long time.
It was new for me because I never woke up smiling. Even my bear, who had been cussing me out the last few weeks, seemed to be humming contentedly. There was a sense of lightness that hadn’t been there in...too longfor me to even remember. I could freely admit that it was a nice change.
I even found myself whistling on my way into the office, which definitely made a few of the guys I passed do a double-take. I couldn’t say I blamed them, though—even I knew it was probably weird to see me so cheerful. But today, I didn’t care. Today was a good—no, agreat—day.
No particular reason.
Okay, there was one, and his name was Mylo.
Not that anything happened—I’d made sure of that. But last night, carrying him back to his room after the bourbon tasting,hearing the things he said even in his drunken—especiallyin his drunken and slurred—honesty... it did something to me. It cracked something open, like the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this could work.
Maybe he could be mine.
Maybe when you tell him the truth, he won’t run screaming.
“Holden.”
Noah’s voice stopped me, and I turned to find him with my little niece in a stroller.
“You’re awfully chipper this morning,” he said, his tone filled with curiosity.
I paused, a grin tugging at my lips. “It’s a good day, Noah. Nothing wrong with that.”
Noah’s brows lifted, and he studied me for a second before a knowing smile appeared on his lips. “Alright, if you say so. Just don’t scare anyone with all that cheerfulness. Might give someone a heart attack.”
“I’d call you an asshole, but my beautiful niece is right here,” I said.
He snorted. “I think you just did.”
“But I didn’t say it for her to hear,” I pointed out.
“Baby steps,”Noah replied, his eyes dancing, and I had a feeling half my family would be getting messages about this in the near future.
I bent over and kissed my niece, saying loud enough for Noah to hear, “Tell your daddy to mind his business and not go gossiping about your Uncle Holden.”
Noah snorted again. “Fat chance. Have you met your family?”
I chuckled and waved him off, continuing my walk to the office.
