Chapter
Twelve
Roxie
The coach was my scent-match. Holy shit. I was going to lose my damn mind around here.
Not just one, but three scent-matches since moving to North Crossing. That had to be a fucking record.
As much as I disliked the alpha, I liked the way that Carter Hayes’s arms felt when they were wrapped around me. He’d moved quickly, stopping me from falling on my ass in the pool.
Coughing up a lung full of chlorinated water wasn’t exactly attractive.
My head was spinning, and the moment Kota pulled Rylan and Evans into a game of pool volleyball, I gave the coach my excuse and hurried away.
I was still dripping wet, but I found a lounge chair over in the corner to hide away in. Thankfully, I’d doused my pale skin in sunblock earlier, so I laid out, letting the warmth chase away the chill of the water. My eyes drifted closed in seconds, body relaxing.
“Ma’am, can I get you a cocktail or a drink or anything?” an eager employee asked after a few minutes of pure bliss.
“Something fruity and tropical to drink would be great. Alcohol is fine, and I’d love a little snack. What do you have?”
“We have quite a few options,” she offered. “We have fruit platters, charcuterie boards, then, of course, things from the kitchen.”
She continued on, but I was already committed the moment she said charcuterie. I ordered as soon as she finished her explanation.
“Coming right up,” she promised, giving me a bright smile before hurrying away.
Now that I was alone again, I let the sun beam down on me, crossing my legs at the ankle and just absorbing some good old vitamin D.
It was short lived. Something warm and wet flicked across my toes. I was so startled that I let out a little yelp, my eyes flying open as a little, furry body dove on top of me.
“Chorizo, no!” A horrified voice called out, the pounding of bare feet across the concrete following it.
Now that I was less startled, I couldn’t help but take in the adorable, fluffy puppy that was now sprawled across my chest like he had any right to be there.
“Well, aren’t you a cutie?” I teased, digging my fingers into his fur and giving him a good scratch.
“I am so sorry.”
Ah… the infamous Greer Abbott.
I gave him a smile that I hoped would reassure him that this was no big deal.
“I’m really sorry, Miss Crane.”
“It’s Roxie,” I corrected him. “He just wanted to make some new friends, no harm done.”
“That’s all he wants to do,” Greer grumbled. He looked exasperated but amused at his dog’s antics. He was too cute to stay mad at, so I couldn’t blame him.
“They let you bring a puppy into this resort?”
“I tried to use him to get out of coming, but Coach wasn’t having it. Apparently, the resort is animal-friendly, and they’ve assigned someone to help me walk him when I have to go to mandatory meals or events.”
He stepped closer, scooping up the puppy from my lap. Chorizo let out a little whine, but I didn’t fight it.
For the second time today, fate struck. Teakwood, bergamot, and pink peppercorn washed over me. It was woodsy, masculine, and had that delta electric sharpness with the peppercorn. It was downright mouth-watering.
My jaw dropped while his eyes went wide with shock.
