Jake's brows raised before he let out a warm laugh. "Well, consider your fascination mutual."
My cheeks felt like they were on fire. What exactly was he confessing to me?
Did he... like me?
Jake came closer. His broad shoulders cast a shadow over me. He sighed, running a hand through his sandy hair.
"Truth is... I've been a little obsessed with you since I found your broken-down car."
"Huh?" I said in a squeak.
Obsessed with me? Of all the people to say they were obsessed with me, why would it be Jake—this sexy, competent, kind cowboy who could have any omega he wanted? A single wink from him was enough to be infatuated.
"Y-you mean obsessed in a serial killer way, right?" I asked, because the alternative was just too crazy.
Jake laughed. "Frederick."
The way he said my name was so sweet, like we were old friends who'd known each other forever.
It also put to rest any suspicion of him being a murderer.
I swallowed thickly as Jake's eyes bored into mine. Helookedobsessed, but not in a creepy way. I felt elated to be on the receiving end of his stare that was tinged with affection and lust.
"You're not some guest or interloper, or even just a friend to me," Jake murmured. His eyes were locked onto mine, magnetic and electric. "You're more than that. You're my fated mate."
For a second, the scientific method burned into my brain went out the window. I believed Jake instantly, without question. It didn't matter if what he said was straight out of a fairy tale. I wanted to believe it.
Ididbelieve it.
"I... am?" I breathed. My mind was too hazy with fuzzy feelings to speak properly.
"Yup."
When my brain cells slowly trickled back, I asked, "What does that entail, exactly?"
Jake shot me a carefree grin. "There's my little scientist. It's a shifter thing. What it means is that our souls are bound by destiny," he said, adding drama to his voice.
"Destiny," I murmured.
As a scientist, I didn't really believe in fate or all that. Actions had consequences. There was no pre-determined life for anybody on this earth because things were never set in stone.
At least, that was what I thought until I met Jake. Suddenly the concept of fate didn't seem so bad.
"What if I don't believe in fate?" I asked tentatively, more to hear his response than anything else.
Jake shrugged casually. "Then you don't believe in it."
"But you do."
"Sure." Jake smiled. "That don't mean I'm gonna force you to change your mind." He put his hand on his chest. "But I know what I know, and that's the fact that you'remine,Frederick."
A thrill ran down my spine. If any other alpha said those words to me, I'd slap him in the face with my clipboard. But those words coming out of Jake's plush lips were magical. Genuine. He wasn't claiming me as a piece of omega ass. I knew he would treat me right.
He already had.
I broke out into a smile, then started laughing uncontrollably.
"What?" Jake asked, chuckling along with me.
