She quirked an eyebrow. “Right. You were absolutely going to say heart.”
“Absolutely. To answer your question, though, none of the bikes are mine. Unfortunately.” I was already cursing myself for not having one to give her this morning.
“Why unfortunately?” She looked genuinely curious, and I almost forgot her question as I stared into her perfect face.
I’d seek help for this obsession, except I never wanted it to end.
“Because clearly you want one of the bikes to be mine, and I don’t have time to order one and pretend it was mine all along. The ones in the garage are Hunter’s and Slade’s. Fin and I prefer four wheels.”
Her smile turned wistful, and I wasfucking done. Goddess be damned, this shifter was my beginning and absolute end.
“Four wheels works for me as well. Could I maybe… drive your car? I’ve been missing the feeling of freedom as I fly along the freeway.”
Unable to stay away from her any longer, I leaned over the counter and grasped her free hand. She froze at the initial contact, but just as quickly relaxed and wrapped her fingers around mine.
She was so much more comfortable around me even after a couple of days.Slow and steady was going to win this race.“What’s mine is yours, pretty girl. You can literally have the clothes off my back and the money in my bank. You want my car… it’s yours.”
Emme had warned me more than once that there was no buying her affections, and I respected that, but the satisfaction I felt to provide and care for her wasn’t a feeling I could give up. It soothed my wolf and alpha side, even if I was forced to sneak everything in and hide it amongst what she already had.
Her eyes softened, shining at me, and I wondered if she knew how expressive her face was when she was happy and overwhelmed. She parted her luscious, full lips into a smile. “You’re my favorite, Kel. And you’re too good to me.”
She’d seen nothing yet, my beautiful destruction.
Falling in love with this omega would destroy the threads of my existence, and at this point I almost welcomed it.
Unable to help myself, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek, breathing in her sweet scent. My entire body reacted to us being this close, fueled by a desperate need to move a few inches and take her mouth. Totastethat sweetness as well.
Somehow, I resisted.
“You’re my favorite too, pretty girl. Always.”
Her eyes widened and she stared at me for so long I worried that I’d broken her. Her blue eyes were glossy, and if she cried I’d legitimately lose my shit.
She tried so hard to protect herself after her trust and love was repeatedly abused by her fucked-up Mom and that pack. With each new revelation about her past, I better understood the shield she’d clung to ever since showing up here.
But our sweet omega had the softest core I’d ever experienced. She deserved all the love, and I knew if she opened herself to the rest of the pack, she’d find all four of us were the pieces she’d been missing her entire existence.
Emme pulled herself together so fast, it was clear she’d had to do that more than once in her life—pretending to be okay. “If there’s no track today…” She cleared her throat. “…and I’m guessing no bonfire, what’s in the cards, then?”
Giving her a little space, I turned to check on the sandwiches. “Hunter will insist on some sort of pack togetherness because family bonfire is his idea. He maintains that we’re all too busy, so we need to see each other at least once a week. With that in mind, I’ve got the perfect solution for today.”
Emme rubbed a hand over her nose, reminding me of how she’d looked last night with powder over her freckles. Our omega was beautiful no matter what, but I’d had to brush off the makeup. I’d needed a hit of freckles for my addiction, and now, as she sat all cozy and bare-faced, I drank her in like the obsessed lunatic I was.
Emme didn’t seem to notice my probing stare. “Do you really think it’s a good idea for all of us to hang out today? At least at the bonfire there’d be other family members to act as buffers. Slade and Finley clearly don’t want me here, and I’m not keen on forcing my presence.”
I could hear the guys finishing up their gym session, and knew they’d be joining us in a second. “I won’t force anyone todo anything they’re not comfortable with,” I said, confident in the knowledge that Hunter would be the one to lay down the law. “But we’re all adults. We should be able to hang out for a couple of hours while the storm of the year rages through Golden Claw.”
Emme didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t object again either. Checking on the sandwiches once more, I opened the foil to let them crisp up, by which time Hunter, Finley, and Slade were tromping into the kitchen in search of coffee—tea for the dragon—and food.
I plated up a sandwich for Emme first, sliding it across to her before I got the others ready. There were two for each of us, because we were growing boys and needed our sustenance.
“Thanks, pup,” Hunter said with an arrogant smirk.
Bastard loved to torment me, but I gave back as good as I get. “You’re welcome, grandpa. Got to look after the elders of the group. Do you need me to chew it up for you first?” A brief rumble escaped him, but it was without any real bite.
Finley slapped me on the arm when I handed him his plate, and when he turned to leave the room, I nudged him back toward the counter. With a sigh, he grumbled his way into one of the stools, farthest from Emme. Hunter sat right at her side, and to no one’s surprise Slade chose to eat leaning against the counter near the sink, where no one could accidentally touch him and get murdered.
I loved that dragon like a brother, but he was one unhinged, scary motherfucker.
