"Sharon."
My voice comes out rougher than I intended. A warning and a plea all at once.
"I know," she says softly, but her hands don't stop moving. They trace patterns across my skin, learning the shape of me. "I know we should take this slow, but I don't want to stop."
I capture her hands gently, bringing them to my lips and kissing her knuckles. "We have time in the world. I'm not going anywhere."
She looks up at me, and there's something vulnerable in her expression. "I really like you, Cassian. But I need time to process everything."
"I know." I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her and holding her against my chest. "I understand. I like you in a way that's starting to feel really serious. But I'm patient. I'm going towait for you to figure out what you want. And when you're ready, I'm going to be here."
We stand there for a long moment, just breathing together. My arms are around her, and she's leaning into me like I'm the only solid thing in the world. I can feel her heart racing, matching mine beat for beat.
"We should probably go back," she whispers against my chest.
"Are you sure?"
"No. But I'm going to do it anyway because I'm trying to be responsible. I'm trying to be the kind of person who doesn't rush into things."
"You're already that person. But I understand."
I take her hand and lead her back to the truck, reluctant with every step. We sit for a while, just holding hands while the engine warms up. I drive slowly down the mountain, in no hurry to get her back to the hotel.
By the time we reach her hotel, the energy between us has shifted slightly. Not into something bad, just into something more manageable. More controlled.
"Thank you," she says as I walk her to her door. "For tonight. For the overlook. For understanding."
"Anytime."
I kiss her at the door, softer this time but no less meaningful. When I pull back, she's smiling.
"Goodnight," she whispers.
"Sweet dreams, beautiful."
I watch her go inside, and then I drive back home, and I’ll make sure to tell my brothers everything, because that's what pack does. And it hits me, I don’t just like Sharon, I’ve fallen for her hook, line and sinker.
21
JETT
Ishould have known something was going to go wrong when Cassian suggested we cook dinner for Sharon. Three normally cool and collected alphas making dinner.
The second sign was when Pine agreed without hesitation. That basically never happens.
The third sign was when I didn't immediately shut it down and instead said sure. What could possibly go wrong?
Spoiler: everything.
Sharon arrives at the house around six in the evening, and she smells like Christmas and anticipation and that strawberry honey scent that makes my alpha brain go fuzzy. Her scent is different than it was a week ago. Richer. More complex. Like she's finally let herself relax enough that her natural omega pheromones are actually showing up.
She's wearing a red dress that hits mid-thigh and shows off he curves. The neckline dips low enough to be interesting, and I have to work very hard not to stare at her like some kind of creep.
"Hey," she says as she steps inside.
Cassian immediately rushes forward to take her coat like she's made of glass. He's hovering over her like a protective golden retriever.
"Welcome," Pine says from the kitchen, where he's already started preparing something that smells like it could be either dinner or a chemical weapon. Hard to tell. He's got ingredients scattered across the counter like he's creating abstract art instead of a meal.
