“Do you think we might be… too much? For her?”
The words catch in my throat as I force them out.
“In what way?”
“In every way. But mainly physically.”
I move back up to a slow walk. I always do my best thinking when I’m in the gym. That’s why I’ve spent the last two hours after closing hitting every machine and trying to work off the thoughts I’ve been having about the little omega we took out for lunch today.
“It’s just… we’re a lot, Cade. You and me especially. I could crush her with a single finger.”
And Cade has his own…needs. They hang between us in the air, unspoken but acknowledged.
It’s true though. However much I might like her… I’m not sure Gabrielle is for me.
No. That’s not right.
I’m not sure I’m the right alpha forher. My chest tightens.
I couldhurther without even realizing it.
“No, you couldn’t,” Cade says quietly. “I saw the way you watched her, Ax. I think you need to give this a chance.”
He pushes up the speed on his own machine.
“And you?” I ask.
He gives me an exasperated look. “That’s different.”
“No, it’s not. You don’t know if she’ll be into that.”
He looks away. “She’s nervous as hell already without knowing about my proclivities. One encounter and she’ll run. I don’t need it anyway.”
Frowning, I finally turn the machine off. “You might not need it, but it’s part of who you are, Cade. If she’s the right one for us, then she’ll be into it, too. Who knows, maybe she’s secretly kinky as fuck.”
“Oh, fuck off.” He throws his wadded up towel at me, and it hits me in the face. Cade raises his eyebrows at me. “Take your own damn advice, will you?”
I snort, but leave him be as he ups his pace.
My pack all have keys to get in and out of this place whenever they want, so I hit the lights off in the offices and leave the main reception one on for Cade as I leave.
The temperature has dropped again, winter well and truly settling in over the city, and my breath appears in white puffs as I make my way home, mulling over our conversation.
Turning onto the street towardsIl Piacere, I pause when I see two figures silhouetted in the doorway.
Hudson smiles down at Gabrielle as she lingers on the step, both of them completely absorbed in each other.
Not wanting to interrupt, I loiter awkwardly for a minute or so, until Gabrielle makes her way down the steps. Hudson watches her leave before closing the door, much to my surprise. Then I spot the white wooden slats at the window moving.
I frown. She’s walking away, thin arms wrapped around herself as she moves down the street.
On her own.
Late at night.
She doesn’t even have a damncoaton.
“Gabrielle!”
