Arriving at the large store, they stepped inside. John was on the counter and he gave them a wave. “Ah, you found her, Alpha.”
“Phoenix, please.”
“Phoenix. Ashley, will you help him with his order? He’s doing up the old alpha’s place, and it seems the years haven’t been kind to the place.”
“Sure. Totally fine.”
Phoenix smirked as he heard her mutter under her breath that she didn’t see a good enough reason as to why he couldn’t help him. Ashley didn’t realize that Phoenix had asked John for Ashley’s help.
The gossip mill would certainly be running. He couldn’t help but smirk. He wondered what would happen if he hinted at Daniel or some of the pack that he believed Ashley was his mate. It wasn’t a lie, not technically. She was his mate. He wondered if she felt it too, felt happiness with him being close to her. Did she want to suddenly rub her sexy body against him? He certainly wanted to wrap his arms around her, touch her, make love to her, fuck her. He wanted to hear her scream his name. To beg him to fuck her.
That’s not going to happen.
She’s way too pissed off at you.
Not that he could blame her. He didn’t exactly have a great track record right now.
They headed toward the back of the shop, passing toward a small alcove with a desk and a computer.
“Take a seat,” she said, sliding behind the desk.
She clicked on the mouse and blew out a breath. He watched her work, clicking away, and then she spun the screen toward him.
“I’m going to need an idea of everything you’ll require. I’m guessing this is a big job?”
“It certainly is,” he said.
“Okay, how long you wait for supplies will depend on the order. Roughly between five and ten days for delivery.”
“No,” John said. “Put a note on the order that it’s for me, and I’m willing to add the delivery cost.”
Phoenix offered the man a smile.
“Sir, I think it’s best if you come and take care of the order,” Ashley said. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Ashley, you’ve been working here for four years. You know what people need and our alpha needs your expertise.”
Ashley’s jaw clenched.
He’d charmed everyone but his mate.
“Certainly.” She clicked away. “I think it would be best if you tell me what jobs you need to do.”
For the next hour, Phoenix pulled out the lists he’d made in each room of the items he’d require. She also advised him on an electrician in town as well as a plumber. In between ordering their supplies, she put a call through to them, and even arranged a time for them to stop by at his convenience.
Watching her work was amazing, even if she did appear bored. Another hour went by, and when he came to the bottom of his list, he was fucking bummed.
She put the order through and then picked up the phone again to confirm. He listened to her laugh at someone’s joke. He felt annoyed that someone else would make her laugh.
“Okay, so that’s all ordered,” she said. “They will make the delivery the day after tomorrow, so Wednesday. It’s the earliest they could do it. With that quantity, they are advising you have someone ready to help you unload. A word of warning—the suppliers are not wolves, so you do have to keep yourself in check.”
“Already done.”
“Is there anything else you need?” she asked.
“Have dinner with me tonight?”
“No.”