Good luck with that, Mama. Let us know if you need anything. Can’t wait to see you.
The sweet message warms me from the inside out. This is the first time in a long time that I’ve been desirable instead of deplorable, and I can’t believe two hot-as-sin Alphas are pursuing me. Part of me is flattered, while another part believes that, scent-matches or not, once they find out about all my baggage, they’ll head for the hills.
“All right, Ash, let’s see how I can help…”
Chapter Nineteen
Vonn
Nixie was very non-specific about what kind of food she likes, so that made my search a little more difficult. My inner Alpha is pushing me to prove that I can be a provider, so I would’ve preferred to take her to the city’s most expensive restaurant, but our sweet little omega is skittish as hell. So, I opted for the next best thing: a food date that has everything. It’s not fancy, but it’s pretty darn cool. The enormous parking lot has a line of food trucks a mile long, all parked next to each other. In front of the vehicles, there’s ample space for lines to form, and then farther back is seating. There’s a little chill in the air, but the outdoor heaters are more than enough to keep the rows of picnic tables warm.
“The food truck plaza was an interesting choice.” Julius snorts. “But I kinda dig it. She can choose whatever she wants. We can get dessert, and we’re right by the park, so if there’s extra time, we can talk her into hiding behind some trees to make out for a bit.”
I roll my eyes, but secretly hope she’s willing to increase our physical intimacy. Holding back with your scent-match isa biological impossibility. Although I’ve only met her twice, my cock is begging for so much more. Her scent is constantly in my head, and the desire to get even the briefest taste is all-consuming.
So why doesn’t she seem to feel the need as strongly?
My heart catches when I finally spot Nixie. Her long red hair floats around her, caught by the breeze, even though it’s squashed by the small, knit black cap on her head. The thin jacket she’s wearing is open in the front, giving me a glimpse of her curves and her cleavage that’s just barely peeking over the neckline of her black shirt. Rosy cheeks call attention to her freckles, and I long to trace lines between them with my fingertips. Nixie stops abruptly, her eyes searching the crowd as though she can sense us but isn’t sure where.
“Guard the table,” I tell Julius, rushing her way. There are too many people between us, and too many Alphas already glancing in her direction.My omega. Mine.
“Nixie,” I shout, raising my voice above the fray. Her head whips around, and when her eyes finally land on me, they crinkle at the edges, and my heart swells. Her joy at seeing me is an enormous boost.Maybe we are getting somewhere.
Within seconds, my sweet mate is in my arms, her soft body pressed against me, the scent of raspberries stealing all thoughts from my mind. I should’ve asked for consent before touching her, but my brain has glitched, completely focused on the happiness radiating from her. There is no stopping or hiding my rapidly rising erection. Nixie lets out a squeak and tentatively grinds against me, and I curse myself for not choosing a more private location.
“God, you smell amazing.” Her hand flies up to cover her mouth as her eyes widen.
“Don’t be embarrassed, I haven’t forgotten your scent since I detected it at the rink weeks ago.” The prettiest pink I’ve everseen flushes her cheeks, bringing her freckles to life once more. Would it be weird to trail my tongue over them? Any excuse to taste her salty skin. To my utter shock, Nixie makes the next move, grabbing my hand and looking around at the different food trucks.
“What are you in the mood for?” She squints, trying to look at all the food choices.
You.
I don’t say that, instead gesturing at the world-famous barbecue truck in the center. “I’ve heard that one’s amazing, but I want whatever you want. Your wish is my command.”
She giggles and then nods. “Barbecue sounds amazing, and it looks like they have cornbread on the menu. I haven’t eaten anything like that in ages. It sounds decadent.”
Certainly not more decadent than the happy burst of perfume that surrounds us: sweet raspberries, and the spice of poppy. We take our places on the line, and moments later, Julius appears by our side.
“Weren’t you supposed to be keeping our table safe?” Narrowing my eyes, I glare at him, knowing that finding a new one at this time of day is going to be difficult.
“I paid some guy twenty bucks to sit on it.” He turns around and waves at a man who’s wearing a Scented Scorpions hat. The fan waves back excitedly. “And also told him we’d both give him an autograph.”
The idea of anyone else near our omega makes me growl. Every muscle in my body wants to demand that Julius return to the table. He’s imposing on my alone time with Nixie, but without a fair reason, I grit my teeth and let him stay. I glance at our little omega to make sure she’s not uncomfortable, a little worried by how silent she’s become. Her posture is rigid, and she stares at her toes, but as I watch, her nose twitches once, then again, before taking a big gulping breath.
“You smell like lemon bars.” She stares at Julius, and her mouth opens in surprise. Suddenly, she’s no longer glued to my side, taking a step closer to him as though led by her nose. Jealousy rears up inside me, like an angry cobra poised to strike. “That’s Asher’s favorite treat. Whenever I have a bit of extra money, I buy the stuff to make them.”
Julius goes to speak, but his voice catches in his throat, and he coughs. “I’m glad my scent is something happy for you. And Asher.”
They share a quiet look, and I cross my fingers and toes. Could that be some affection blossoming?Please?
“I thought Vonn was lying when he said that we were matched. How could we be after everything?” There’s a lengthy pause when Julius and I hold our collective breath, praying she won’t walk away from us. “But I guess he was right.” She looks at the ground, dragging her toe along the concrete. I’m at a loss for words, unsure whether she is regretting the revelation or pleased to have two matches.
The line moves at a glacial pace, and it’s clear as day that we know nothing about each other. Nothing besides the fact that, genetically, we’re compatible.
“So how did the interview go?” I ask, grasping at anything to break the tension. You always think when you find your true match, it’s going to feel as natural as breathing, but even though a thousand questions are swirling in my brain, my voice is trapped. Our chances with her are already so precarious that I can’t push her for fear of offending the sweet little pixie standing beside me.
“To be honest, not great. The second the owner realized I was an omega, he wasn’t interested in hiring me anymore.” She shrugs, then uses her free hand to play with the ends of her hair.
