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I nod, not knowing what else to say. Keeping my lips closed is the rule I should live by while I’m here. I don’t want to make a fool of myself.

“I’m here for a week?” I turn in my chair and stare at his wide back as he washes his dish.

His shoulders tense, and he stops moving. His sculpted jaw touches his shoulder when he turns his head. “Or earlier. Whenever it is safe. It’s whenever you want.”

I frown when I hear how detached he is when he speaks to me. His voice is almost monotone, and there’s a weight to it that settles on my chest, weighing me down like a cement block.

“I have to go get ready. Radio is by the window on the coffee table.” He doesn’t even give me a second look as he walks down the hall.

Alaska’s heavy steps thud on the floor so hard that the juice in my glass ripples. He’s his own earthquake with how big he is.

I stand, taking a step towards the hall to go to his room and talk to him.

“No, no. Don’t do that.” I stop myself and sit back down, then stand, and sit.

I have no idea what to do. I get the feeling he is mad at me. I hate it. I don’t want him to be upset with me. I don’t like how much the idea of that hurts me.

Standing again, I take two steps into the hallway and pause. I swallow when I watch Alaska get dressed.

He didn’t close the door.

And I’m able to see…everything.

I stand in the middle of the hallway, unmoving, my arms at my side, my feet glued to the floor, and my eyes zeroed in on how every muscle in his body flexes as he slips his sweatpants off.

A breath catches in my chest as I drink him in. I’ve never seen a man naked and felt any sort of attraction. Ever. No man has made me look at him twice.

Alaska is different. One look at him and I want more. I want so much more. His thighs are thick like tree trunks, and the round, firm globes of his ass are perfect. His skin seems smooth, flawless, something that takes me by surprise since he is such a hardworking guy.

I expected his entire body to be covered in scars. Running a ranch isn’t easy, and it can be dangerous.

Yeah. For me. For my health if I keep looking at him the way I am.

His back rolls with muscular ropes, his spine leading me down to the dimples settled right above his ass.

I can’t see the front, much to my disappointment, and to make my own personal show end too soon, he slides on a pair of dark blue jeans. I lean against the wall, needing help to stay upright after seeing the body that has changed my entire life.

Alaska slips on a tight, gray henley, and the weirdest high-pitched moan escapes me before I can catch it. I swear, he stops moving for a second, but there’s no way he heard me. It was more of a whisper.

I’ve worn plenty of shirts like that. Seeing it on him? I’ve never seen something more attractive. It showcases everything—his biceps and wide chest, the way his pecs are clearly defined.

When he steps out of sight, the trance is broken, and I rush back to my seat, staring at my almost empty plate.

Maybe we need to get each other out of our systems. Then, when I leave, there won’t be the ‘what if’ question hanging over us.

But then that means I have to leave.

I don’t want to.

I admit to myself.

Alaska stomps back down the hall; the loud thuds of his boots make the juice ripple again.

To my surprise, his massive hand lands on my shoulder. His palm is cool to the touch, which combats the lust heating my damn blood. He gives my shoulder a firm squeeze, and I nearly melt into a useless puddle on the floor.

I’ve never felt small before. I’m a decent-sized guy, but Alaska? He towers over me in every way. I’m protected.

And I can’t stop thinking about how he would manhandle me in the bedroom.