I’m about to toss the phone across the room when it vibrates in my hand with an incoming message.
Lincoln: I’m outside. I want to come to your door and get you, but will it cause drama with Benton?
Me: You’re going to come to my door?
Lincoln: Duh. Isn’t that what an alpha’s supposed to do when courting an omega?
Me: It’s just unexpected. Benton’s not here.
Lincoln: I’ll be there in a second. No opening the door until I ring the bell.
Lincoln: Fuck. Wait. Will you know if I ring the doorbell?
Me: Yes. It’s set to a light notification that alerts me.
Lincoln: That’s fucking cool. See you in less than a second.
I go ahead and get my jacket, putting it on, before sending a quick message to James.
Me: He just picked me up.
The lights flash, telling me he’s here. Slipping the phone into my purse, I slip the strap over my shoulder and open the door.
Lincoln is standing there looking like a full main-course dish, all broad shoulders and quiet confidence. Then he signs,You look beautiful.And God, he smells good too—warm sandalwood and amber wrapping around me, and if it weren’t for my special panties, he’d smell my slick.
Thank you.
James is right. I can do this. Lincoln takes my hand, and I step onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind me. My heart is pounding, ready to see whatdifferentreally feels like.
27
Lincoln
Yeah.I’m fucked.
Mint and green tea rolls over me, clean and sharp and sweet.
I force my hands to move, lifting them between us.You look beautiful.
It’s not perfect, but it’s smoother than when I practiced in the mirror. My pinky doesn’t stray, my wrists don’t lock.
Her eyes light up. She smiles; it’s a slow, delighted movement that starts in her mouth and moves all the way up to her eyes. She signs back—thank you—then mouths, “you too,” exaggerating the words just enough that it’s easy to read.
Heat crawls up my neck. “Ready?” I ask, slow and clear.
She nods, and I offer her my hand without thinking; she slips her fingers into mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. They’re small and warm, calloused just enough that I know she works with them. Cameras. Lenses. Signing. A whole life held in those hands.
We walk to the truck, our arms brushing. I open the passenger door for her, stepping back so she can climb up. She glances between me and the open door, lips twitching.
“What?” I ask.
She pulls her phone from her pocket, thumbs moving quickly. Then she turns the screen toward me.
Bayleigh: Alpha gentleman move. 10/10. Benton would combust.
A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it. “Then I’ll make sure I keep doing it,” I say, grinning.
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling as she climbs in. Once she’s settled, I close the door gently and circle around to my side.
