I grind my jaw, a low growl escaping me.
“Save that growl for the omega, son,” my father says, completely unbothered by my seething inner wolf. “And for the pedal. Lord knows you’ll need it to get to the airport on time.”
“Like I have a choice, right?” I bark as I push past him and grab the keys from his hand.
Chapter
Three
Emily
“You’re fine. It’s just a month. In England. Just focus on tourism, not the damn alpha.” I tug my duffel over my shoulder, my back aching from the weight. When I round the opening of the gate, I am accosted with a reminder of my predicament. The thick, sweet scent of melted caramel and spicy cinnamon mixed with something darker, smoother fills my lungs.
I look up, and despite the crowd, he’d be hardnotto notice. Some men just exude dominant alpha energy naturally, and Luke Pembrooke definitely exudes big alpha knot energy. Which both pisses me off and makes my inner omega pant with excitement.
Not helping.
Memory strikes me, that cloying scent playing at both past and present. His gaze catches mine almost immediately, and my entire body freezes, as if on command. It’s been two years.
I wonder if he even remembers who I am.
I suppose there’s only one way to find out.
“Lucas Pembrooke,” I say, steeling my lips into a grin that is anything but genuine.
I watch the glimmer of interest flash in his bright green eyes, and a half-smirk grace his lips.
“Emily Gardner,” he says, his voice smooth like velvet. “So, we meet again.”
Well, I guess he does remember me.
I nod as I tug on my duffel, adjusting my stance because it really is heavy. His gaze flashes from my eyes to my shoulder.
“Do you need help with that?” he asks, and it is genuine.
“Nope. I handled it all the way here without some big tough alpha, didn’t I?” I say as I push past him, heading towards the sign that directs us to baggage claim.
I don’t miss his chuckle. “Don’t you want to rest a moment? Grab something to eat? I’m sure your flight was exhausting.”
I keep moving because it’s all I can do. If I stop, that overpowering scent will hit me, and my omega will start pushing against me. She’s already trying to twist my focus just because he smells so good.
Down girl!
“What I need is to get my damn luggage and find the nearest bed and crash.”
I realize all at once he’s caught up to me and I freeze, causing Luke to run right into me, nearly knocking me over.
“Watch where the hell you’re going!” I bite as he steadies me with his large hands on my arms. I’m irritated and antsy, and my entire body feels like I’ve been engulfed in a fire, and my insides twist with delight. Then the realization hits me hard, like a brick to the stomach.
Oh no.
No, no, this can’t happen right now.
I’m not supposed to hit my heat for another two weeks…
I look up at Luke, fear striking me in my chest along with panic. His green eyes sparkle under the fluorescent lights, and I sense the hitch in his breath before I hear it. It’s like something inside of me clicks into place.
I’m acutely aware of his hands on my arms, the heat emanating from them as much as thesizeof them. It’s a weird thing to notice about a person, especially when your insides are going haywire and your consciousness isn’t firing on all its proper cylinders, but it’s the one thing I focus on.
