Alec sighed. “No, probably not.”
Even if he is a wanker.
Mark was leaning heavily that way with all he’d seen and heard over the last few days, but Newell was still his alpha. Hopefully not for too much longer if the council did their job. R-pack had the evidence sitting in their building. Even if they didn’t trust the rogue shifter, there was the jacket.
Scents never lied.
And neither would he and Will.
Newell might have ordered them not to tell any pack members, but they’d have to tell the truth to the council members. No matter Newell’s explanation, Mark’s gut told him Newell was lying. He just needed to wait it out until the council came to the same conclusion.
Alec collected their rubbish onto the tray and stood. “I need to get back.”
Glancing at his phone, Mark nodded. “Yeah, me too.” Another five hours and then he was done. Would the council members still be there? It’d only be about half past three, they wouldn’t finish that early, would they? And where were they staying?
He followed Alec to the door, and a thought occurred to him. He’d rather spend as little time as possible at his pack building. Which wasn’t something he ever expected to think, but things changed. “Are you free tonight?”
“Possibly. I won’t know until after the council stop for the day. Why?” Alec smiled his thanks as Mark held the door for him.
The view of Alec in a suit was just as impressive from the back, and Mark had to admit his idea had nothing to do with wanting to escape his flat. “I’d like to see you. Today’s been shit.” At Alec’s raised eyebrow, he quickly added, “Apart from this bit, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
Mark smiled, sensing Alec was going to say yes. “I want something to look forward to.”
“Like a reward for all your long, terrible hours in the coffee shop?”
“Exactly.” Talking of which, they were almost there. “Well?” Mark glanced up at him. Those five inches Alec had on him made it so he had to squint at the sun.
“I’d like that.” Alec smiled, soft and intimate, and Mark felt like that smile was just for him. “I’ll text you later and let you know for sure.”
“Okay.” Mark reached for the door, figuring that was their goodbye, but Alec tugged on his arm, turned him around, and kissed him. Right in front of the coffee shop window. His co-workers might not have super senses, but they could see this far just fine.
Mark closed his eyes and went with it, wrapping his arms around Alec’s waist and pulling him close. In for a penny, in for a pound.
When Alec pulled back, far sooner than Mark was ready for, he gave him one last peck on the lips. “Have fun at work.” He winked, smiled, and Mark was done. He might as well have swooned on the spot with how obvious he was being.
His wolf sighed with contentment, a deep warmth spreading through his chest, and fuck only knew what scents he was giving off. Watching Alec walk away hit him like a physical ache.Oh shit.
He was so fucked.
Refusing to think about that right now, Mark pushed open the door to the shop and went inside to try and get through the rest of the day. He walked with his head down, only glancing up when he reached the counter.
Carole leaned against the sink, a very knowing look on her face. “Good break?”
“Yep.” Mark tried not to smile, but his mouth wouldn’t cooperate.
She threw a balled-up napkin at him. “Go on, get it all out. I’d look smug if I had someone like that taking me out for brunch.” She sighed, then grabbed his apron and passed it to him. “I still hate you though.”
“Fair enough.” He smiled as he took the apron from her and tied it on. If Alec realised what he’d done, Carole wouldn’t be the only one who hated him.
The rest of his shift passed so achingly slowly, when three o’clock finally arrived, it felt more like ten. Their replacements arrived: two shifters who lived outside the main pack buildings, so Mark didn’t know them all that well. He was only too happy to head into the back room when Carole clapped him on the shoulder and told him they were done.
The less interaction he had with them the better. Alec’s scent would still be on him, if they got close enough they’d detect it.
Carole stopped with her hand on the door knob, looking at him. “Right, I’m off. Will I see you tomorrow or was this a one off? Jason didn’t say.”
“Not sure.” Jason hadn’t told him either.
