“Technically, I said we shouldn’t discuss the alpha council investigation, but don’t feel you have to answer.” Picking his jeans and T-shirt off the floor, Alec started to get dressed.
“Yes,” he said as Alec pulled his T-shirt over his head. “Jason told me not to mention it.” Mark wasn’t sure why he’d felt the need to tell him. It didn’t feel wrong, didn’t feel like a betrayal of his pack. More like confiding in a friend.
Smoothing his T-shirt down over his flat stomach, Alec took a few seconds to answer. “Scrub well in the shower. Use the peppermint shower gel; it’ll help disguise my scent.”
Mark frowned, confused. “Why didn’t you tell me to use that last time?”
Alec met his gaze, all intense, dark eyes, and Mark’s stomach did a traitorous little flutter. “I’m going to make a coffee. Join me in the kitchen when you’re done.” He was gone before Mark could reply.
Okay then.
And he still hadn’t given Mark his number.
Showered and smelling strongly of peppermint, which was not something he ever wanted to use again, Mark quickly pulled on his clothes and gave them a quick sniff. They still smelled of the club—Alec’s scent was there, but not overly powerful, mixed in with all the other scents.
He found Alec leaning against the kitchen worktop, empty coffee cup next to him. Alec lifted his head and breathed in deep.
Mark arched an eyebrow. “How do I smell?”
“Like we rolled around in peppermint.” Alec offered him a small smile. “You should take that shower gel home with you.” Fishing his phone out of his jeans pocket, he handed it to Mark. “Put your number in. Send yourself a text.”
Yes!
After Alec’s early avoidance, he hadn’t expected him to actually give out his number. With no more prompting either. Mark rushed to take the phone before Alec changed his mind. His own beeped as he sent the text, then he added himself to Alec’s contacts underMark SRand handed the phone back.
“SR?” Alec glanced up, his smile now a smirk. “Stress Reliever?”
Mark grinned. “Yep. Not sure how many Marks you had in there. Wouldn’t want you to get the wrong one.”
“You could have added your last name.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Alec snorted but didn’t offer further comment. “Do you want a coffee before I drop you back?”
Glancing at the clock on the oven, Mark sighed. 2:15am. If he wanted to get into his building unnoticed, now would be a good time to do it. “Nah. Thanks, but I should probably get back while everyone’s asleep.” He didn’t realise he’d said anything wrong until Alec frowned.
“No patrol?”
Fuck. It just slipped out. Mark gave him what he hoped was an apologetic look. “Shall we go?”
“Of course.” Alec picked up his keys and Mark followed him to the door.
This time when Mark entered his flat, no one was waiting for him. He’d half expected to see Will asleep on his couch again, but the flat was empty. He sent him a quick text.
Home now.
Unsurprisingly the reply was almost immediate.Good. Still think you’re fucking crazy for doing this.Quickly followed by,He’s hot AF though. Don’t blame you.
Mark laughed, a little relieved that Will hadn’t given him a hard time.Thanks. See you in the morning.
Night.
Yawning widely, Mark walked through his flat, not bothering to turn on any lights. The car journey from Alec’s had been… interesting. Alec might have given him his number, but he also gave Mark a list of rules to go with it and had gone through them while he drove. Firstly, no talk about the investigation. As if he needed reminding again. Secondly, no idle chit chat. Apparently Alec wasn’t one for fun, flirty text banter.
Mark eyed his phone. Well, that was just too bad. He scrolled through to Alec’s number, now stored underAlec HAFBand typed outI’m home, no problems encountered. Thanks for a great night. :)His smile grew as he thought of Alec reading it and frowning.
Not expecting a reply, when his phone buzzed straight away, it startled him.
