Fuck, that hurt.I make a face, knowing he’s watching me. I’m going to spank his ass raw tonight before I fuck it. I’m all kinds of riled up.
“Name them for me?” I ask, needing to think about anything other than punishing my brat.
I’m pretty sure it’s making the bakery smell even more like icing than usual.
“There’s my dad, Troy, and that’s it,” she says. “My first boss chased me down the street because he didn’t want to pay me for my time and fired me on my first day.”
I want to be included in her list, but know she’s being cautious. I can appreciate that.
“Your boss did what?” Levon asked at the same time that Miles asks, “Troy who?”
“You’re all so intense,” Caelia mutters to herself, leaning against Miles. His eyes spring up to Levon and I in shock, and I don’t think our little omega realizes that she’s basically relaxing into his body.
Hmm, very interesting. Here’s to hoping that she listens to her instincts.
“Troy Evans—” she begins before we all begin to grumble. “He’smarriedand didn’t think twice when my dad yelled at him to give me space the first time he met me. The man just accepts my boundaries. I barely know him, even though I feel badly that he’s having a rough time.”
“We heard about that,” I remind her. “I hate that you of all people walked into that mess to help him.”
“Dad wanted me to wait in the hallway, but I don’t always listen when I’m told to do something,” she says with a shrug.
“Good to know,” I chuckle.
“Folks, we’re closing up!” the barista calls out.
“Is it really already eleven?” Caelia breathes in surprise.
“It is,” I confirm, checking my phone. “I can’t believe how fast time went by.”
Picking up the trash, I throw things out and bring the glass plates up to the barista.
“Her father has called three times while you’ve been here,” he says. “I really don’t suggest crossing him.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I say neutrally. “We needed somewhere to meet that was well lit, open late, and would look out for our girl. Thank you for being that for her.”
I leave the barista, knowing he’s probably completely confused. I don’t really care what he thinks, and yes I’m calling this little omega mine. I believe in manifesting good things in my life.
I meet Caelia, Miles, and Levon at the door, opening it for them all. She’s very quiet as we follow her through the parking lot, turning with a raised brow as she realizes we’re behind her. She’s the only vehicle other than the one we drove in.
“We’re walking you to your car,” Miles says. His next words have disapproval ringing clear. “It’s late, you shouldn’t walk alone.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that I usually do,” she says, making a face.
“So your dad doesn’t walk you out after practice and games?” I ask.
“Okay, so before I moved back in with my dad, I would go about my day to day with a knife in my pocket and the hope that I wouldn’t need to use it,” she explains.
“Did that work?” Levon asks.
“For the most part,” she acknowledges. “I don’t like walking in the dark, so I was glad when Dad told me he didn’t want me to bartend.”
“Fuck, I just broke out in hives,” Miles curses. “You’re way too damn pretty for the bars of New Orleans. They’d eat you alive, baby.”
It doesn’t escape me that he keeps calling her that. Caelia hasn’t said anything about it yet, but gives him a sidelong glance.
“The job with the Dragons kind of came in at the right time.”
“Thank goodness for small mercies,” I mutter.
