I glared at him, and he smiled, lightly shaking my shoulder.
“Anyway, getting back on topic, seeing as you seem fairly sane, I’d like to invite you over my place. As long as you feel comfortable, of course.”
“Why would I feel uncomfortable?”
He looked at me for a moment and then said, “Well, you shouldn’t with me because I’d never do anything you don’t want me to do, but wow, you’re too trusting.”
I considered Blake and felt like I could trust him. “I’d like to see the packhouse. I’ve never been inside.”
“Okay, great! Buckle up!” Blake reversed out of the parking space and sped toward the packhouse.
I could tell that Blake was softening and opening up more as I spent time with him. He also seemed much less dark and distant than the first time I’d met him, as if his icy shell was slowly thawing. I, likewise, found myself warming up to him and feeling more comfortable in his presence. He was now feeling more like a friend than a hot, mysterious alpha.
After we parked in the packhouse driveway, I went to open the door to get out of the car, but he got there in time to help me down. I tried to slap away his hand and said, “You know, I am capable of getting in and out of cars myself.”
“My mom raised me better than that. Now come on, let’s go inside.” He took my hand and led me into the packhouse. The front door opened to a marble hallway with a grand staircase that led to the second floor. I looked up to see there was also a third floor above. He walked me around the first floor, which was set up in an open floor plan.
He started at the back and showed me the spacious living room with a generously sized wood-burning fireplace contained in stones that traveled up to the vaulted ceiling, large, plush brown leather couch and chairs, and a sliding glass door that led to a patio and garden in the backyard. Afterward, we walked through the dining room, with a huge table that could probably fit at least twenty people, and kitchen, which was hidden behind a door and contained a smaller kitchen table. He then showed me the offices—one was for the office manager and accountant to share, and one was for the alpha and beta to share, with two large desks on opposite walls that faced the center of the office, with chairs between the desks for visitors. Finally, he took me down into the basement, which had a laundry room and a separate break area for the staff that worked in the packhouse throughout the week.
Afterward, he brought me up to the second floor. “This is the beta floor, where the beta family lives.” He showed me where they had a small family room and the common bathroom. He then led me up to the third floor. “And this is the alpha floor. I’m planning to renovate it once my parents move out since it needs some updating, but I’ll show you around.” He showed me the alpha family room, which was directly above the beta one, and the common bathroom.
He led me down the hall and stopped at different doors, one at a time. “My dad uses this bedroom as a second, private office.” He opened the next door. “My mom uses this room as her own office and guest bedroom.” After closing the door, he led me to the next room. “This room is mostly for storage but also doubles as a guest room.”
He took my hand, skipped one bedroom, and led me to the final bedroom—his parents’ bedroom where they had a large walk-in closet, en suite bathroom, and a balcony that overlooked the back garden.
“Wow, this is really nice!” I exclaimed.
“This will be my bedroom soon, after they move out. I’m planning to get a contractor in to modernize things, especially the bathroom. It’ll be nice having my own private bathroom, not that I ever really shared the common one, considering I’m the only other person on this floor.”
He took me out of their room, closed the door, and led me back to the room that he had initially skipped. He opened the door, letting me in, “And this is where you’ll forget how to walk tonight if things go according to plan.” He smirked.
“Not happening,” I replied.
He smiled mischievously and asked, “Nothing happening at all, or just not the bit where you forget how to walk? Just trying to figure out my boundaries.”
“What happened last time is definitely not happening again, so don’t get any ideas! I proved my point, so that’s all you’re getting.”
“Ok, second base is out of the question, got it.” He gave a small, playful chuckle.
I walked in and looked around. He had a desk in the corner that was cluttered with different papers and things, a decent-sized closet, and a large window with a view of the town. After allowing me some time to look around, he gestured at the bed and said, “Anyway, sit down and relax.”
I went to sit down on his bed, which I noticed was a full size. He sat down next to me, on my left, and turned to face me. As if he read my mind he continued, “I’m planning to get a king-size bed after I move into my parents’ room. But, hey, that just means we’ll have to get really close for now.” He winked at me, moving closer.
“What was it like growing up in the packhouse?” I asked, wanting to learn more about him.
“It was interesting. I’m glad I had the beta family downstairs. My dad was an asshole growing up, so I’d go downstairs to get away from him. I’d usually hide in Luke’s bedroom. He was a really good friend to me growing up.”
At the sound of Luke’s name, I felt something ping within my chest, bringing him to the forefront of my mind. Suddenly I was imagining being in Luke’s bedroom instead, the thought somehow appealing.
I blinked a few times and pushed Luke from my mind, thinking how inappropriate it was to be thinking about him at that moment. As much as I kept trying to forget him, he always pushed himself back to the forefront of my consciousness, my old crush returning. I turned back to Blake and asked, “What about your mom?”
“My mom’s the best. She’s the most kind-hearted woman you’ll ever meet. I am so lucky to have her.” He beamed as his whole demeanor changed and his face lit up. I was seeing a new side of him—a much softer side—warming me toward him.
He asked, “What about your parents? What are they like?”
I sighed and replied, “Well, they’re very straitlaced and religious. They met while attending college for biochemistry. I don’t think they’ve ever done anything remotely rebellious, and I’m pretty sure that if they knew I was here they would lock me in my room and never let me leave. I’m too scared to find out what they would do if I don’t graduate with a 4.0 GPA.”
Blake brushed my hair behind my ear as I spoke and looked intently into my eyes, concentrating on what I was telling him.