The first hit of his sweet perfume rushes through me like electricity. Papaya.Fucking papaya and lime. My eyes drop shut as I savor the perfect scent. My cock goes from half mast to fully ready in seconds, my knot already threatening like I’m fucking inside of him. And I woulddieto be inside of him.
I run my nose over his throat, and he swallows thickly, a whimper parting his lips. It earns him a nip just below his earlobe that I don’t soothe. No, this is punishment. He left me wanting something I could never have all those years ago. And now I’m going to return the favor.
I drag his earlobe between my teeth, releasing a deep, possessive growl. Then I thread my fingers into the chain linked fence on either side of him and press my body into his smaller one.
“Dean,” he gasps, his fingers going to my damp shirt. Not to push me away; no, he fucking pulls me closer.
And I break.
I seek his mouth, intent on punishment. How dare he leave before. Then he comes back like nothing’s changed. Threateningmewith his own punishment. The kiss is messy and full of my barely contained need for this man. I bite at his lips, and he lets me, before sucking on my tongue like he’d suck on my cock. I groan into his mouth, needing so much more of him.
“God, you’re so fucking perfect, even after all these years,” he pants the words against my lips, his fingers threading into my hair. And they are like ice water to my body.
Perfect.
Perfect enough to leave.
Perfect enough to trap.
Perfect enough to have my heart broken all over again.
I shove away from him, the metal of the fence twanging with the force. Without a backward glance, I storm away from him. If I stay, I will do something I’ll regret in the morning. It’s better to lock myself in my apartment and ride out my rut there.
CHAPTER 8
Chad
Rejection.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow. That’s what my life is. One big rejection. No one wants me. Not my parents. Not Richard. Not the pack onOmega in Paradise.And certainly not Dean.
Damn, I deluded myself on that one. I knew better. The no alphas rule went out the window the second he pressed his lips to my throat. Who am I lying to? It went out the window the second I saw him dripping in sweat. And I went to the country club because I wanted to see if he still stayed late like he did when we were teens. I asked for this pain.
Four days later and it still aches just behind my rib cage. Four days later and I’m still hiding in my parents house like a loser that can’t handle rejection.
I’m a bad bitch. Anyone would be lucky to even talk to me. If I give someone my attention, they know they’ve won the lottery. I’m the best they will ever get.I snort. Right. I don’t even believe me. But I can fake it. Right?
I could use a hit of sunshine right about now. With that thought firmly in mind, I put myself together, after a quick shower to wash the bitter scent of my perfume from my bodyand dress in a new outfit of designer jeans and a soft t-shirt that my omega self loves. Then I head to the garage to pick out my transportation for the day.
Going for normal and low-key, I snag the keys for the bronco. It has all the bells and whistles, but at least it blends in on the street. The drive to the city doesn’t take long. And before I know, it I’m stepping into the tiny diner Lakelyn works at. The waitress from the first time is behind the register, and I cross the space with a smile in place.
“Is Lakelyn working today?”
Her eyes run down my body, clearly liking what she sees, but I dismiss her attention. I only have one woman in mind that has caught my interest.
She pops her gum and looks toward the double doors that lead to the kitchen. “She’s on break.”
“I’ll wait.”
She shrugs like it doesn’t matter one way or another, then she greets the new couple stepping into the diner as I settle at the counter.
“Chad? Is that you?” a voice says from a booth near the window. I glance over to find my mother’s friend, Jenny, smiling back. I’m not in the mood to do the fake flirting with her, so I just give a small wave and brief smile before I move to the counter, effectively dismissing her.
I don't wait long before Lakelyn pushes from the back, her eyes land on me, and a welcoming smile pulls at her lips. It's exactly what my soul needs.
She nibbles shyly at her low lip as she comes to a stop in front of me. “I haven't seen you in a few days…”
She trails off, and I know she's silently asking where I've been, telling me she missed me. Warmth spreads inside my chest, and I lean toward her, drawn to her in the same way Deanpulls me in. Only it feels mutual with her. Something I might want to explore.
