My family is visiting tomorrow and I still haven't seen Maddox. It's been four days now and still no sign, but I'm determined to find him before dinner tonight. I search every hallway, with the exception of his parents' wing.

I even check the office I found him in last week, to no avail. I have half a mind to try a tracking spell, but I'm not sure that he and I are close enough for it to work.

I'm speed walking down every hallway now, listening in each door in the hopes that I can hear his voice, or at the very least recognize his scent. My frustration grows with each passing room, and with it, I grow more and more distracted.

I don't even realize the next door ahead is swinging open full force until my face makes contact with it and I'm on the ground.

"Poppy!" Maddox's voice cries out.

"Is that door forged with steel? Holy shit," I moan as I rub the knot forming on my forehead.

Maddox kneels down and pulls my head towards him as his hands check me for any serious injuries.

"What are you doing down here?" He asks.

The words are innocent enough, but there's a suspicious edge to his voice that causes my eyes to snap up to meet his.

"Looking for you, as a matter of fact. Where the fuck have you been?" I respond curtly.

He sighs as he helps me back into a standing position.

"I owe you an apology," he says softly.

I tilt my head and quirk my eyebrow at him, urging him to continue.

"It wasn't my intention to neglect you these past few days, I've just been so-"

"Busy?" I finish for him.

"You have no idea," he mutters darkly. "Listen, I really am sorry. Things are a mess right now and there's a lot on my plate. But I promise to make it up to you. How about I drop the rest of my work tonight and spend the evening with you?"

I cup my chin, deep in thought as I consider his offer.

"Are you sure you aren't avoiding me because of what happened the other night?"

I'm nervous to ask, but I need to know.

"Of course not. In fact, I recall you offering to return the favor," he wags his eyebrows at me.

I can feel my cheeks burning, but I laugh at the excited look on his face and tug on his hand, pulling him down the hallway. He quickly takes the lead, dragging me up to his room and pushing me through the door.

He attacks my mouth with his and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer to him.

I'm breathless, but I don't pull away. We continue clawing and pawing at each other as he backs us up towards the bed.

My heart is racing. I'm scared of embarrassing myself. What if I'm horrible at it? Maddox told me before that he'd never done anything with anyone else either, that he was waiting for his mate, but he seemed like he knew exactly what he was doing the other day.

Being an Alpha must just give him natural sex appeal, or at the very least, the ability to fake his confidence.

Maddox places his hands on my shoulders and pulls away from me.

"We don't have to do anything if you're not ready, Poppy. You're all tensed up. I don't want to rush you."

I smile softly up at him. The nerves seem to subside at his words and are replaced with an entirely new tingling sensation as one hand reaches up to cup my face.

"I want to," I murmur before pulling his face back down to mine.

This kiss was less frenzied, less desperate, but still passionate. His tongue strokes mine lazily and my hands find their way into his curls. He walks us back a few more steps until my knees hit the side of the bed and we both topple onto it, never breaking our kiss.

I giggle into his mouth and it quickly turns into a moan as he reaches down to palm me over my underwear. I reach down to stop his hand. He pulls back again to look at me, confusion written all over his face.

"This is supposed to be about you," I gasp breathlessly.

He smirks and quirks an eyebrow at me as I push on his shoulders to flip us over. He goes willingly- of course I'd never be able to push him over on my own- and I straddle him, pinning his arms to his sides.

"My turn," I tell him, licking my lips.

I'm feeling emboldened by the way Maddox is responding to me, the way he's straining against his pants as I start kissing down his neck. I clumsily pull his shirt over his head and undo his belt and zipper.

I find myself growing a little self-conscious, but Maddox is quick to ease my anxiety. He smiles patiently and puts his hands behind his head, giving me complete access to him.

I resume my gentle attack, kissing every exposed inch of skin I can reach. I recall the way he kissed me on the couch and try to mimic the movements until my lips reach the waistband of his boxers. I pull them down slowly and take in a deep breath as I stare at him, completely naked beneath me.

Of course he's perfect. Even the hundreds of little scars across his torso and the even bigger one I created just added to his appeal. I give him a panicked glance, unsure of where to go from here.

"It's okay, I'll show you," he whispers roughly.

He takes my hand in his and guides it over his length in slow, even strokes. Once I get the hang of it, he removes his hand and places it back behind his head. I bend down a little to wrap my mouth around the tip, looking up to see his reaction.

His eyes are closed. His head is tilted back and his breathing catches as I slide him further into my mouth. I take in as much as I can until I feel him hit the back of my throat. My eyes water a little, but I pause to adjust to the feeling.

Maddox groans at the contact and grips my hair in his hand, controlling my pace.

"Jesus Christ," He sighs.

He thrusts his hips forward, causing me to moan around him. He quickens his pace and I wrap my hand around the base of him, stroking him with my hand while I twirl my tongue around his tip.

"If you don't want me to cum in your mouth, you should stop."

I'm not sure if I want it in my mouth, but I also don't want to hear Lennon tell me that spitters are quitters for the next three months when she inevitably finds out about this. I don't have time to decide anyways as Maddox moans, finding his release.

I swallow as he finishes and he grips my chin. He pulls my face up to look at him and wipes my tears away with his thumb.

"Holy shit," he pants.