Taking a chance, I raise one hand to cup her face and lean in so my words can only be heard by her. “Are you okay?”
She nods, then shakes her head. My precious girl seems so flustered, so I try another question. “Are you able to make it through class?” If she says no, I will get her out of here and somewhere she feels comfortable, but something tells me our omega doesn’t give up that easily.
Just a nod this time. I smile, stroking my thumb along her cheek with a featherlight touch. She shudders, making me feel ten feet tall. “Good girl,” I whisper.
She bites her lip and pulls away, forcing her attention back to the front of the room where Jude has finally got class to start. The next hour is absolute torture. Posey keeps sneaking peeks at me and every time our eyes meet, a fresh burst of honeyed fruit perfumes the air around us. My cock has never been this hard for this long, and if I wasn’t so focused on my new obsession I would almost be worried about the lack of blood flow to my brain.
The moment class ends, I sit stone still until the room has cleared. I know for a fact Jude’s next class isn’t until early this afternoon and this is usually when he goes home to eat and grade. He glowers at us from the front of the room, but eventually gives up and storms out. I’m sure I’ll pay for this stunt later, but for now I have an omega to meet.
Posey has been eerily quiet, to the point where I’m almostafraid to startle her in case she’s lost in her head. “Hey, pretty girl. You alright? I didn’t think a crowded classroom was the best place to talk, but—mmhf.”
Her lips are on mine with no warning, and I groan into her mouth when I taste her for the first time. Somehow she tastes even better than she smells, which doesn’t seem like it should be possible. My fingers thread through her soft pink hair, dragging her even closer as my tongue licks into her mouth. Time slows as we make out and it takes every ounce of self control I have not to take her right here. But then I remember even if I could, I don’t knowhowand it cools me off real fast.
I pull back but stay close enough to share breath as we pant in unison. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, hi. I’m McKenzie.”
She bites her bottom lip, a shy smile threatening to break free. “McKenzie. I’m Posey. It’s nice to meet you.”
I don’t know what compelled me to give her my full name and not the nickname everyone else knows me by, but now I’m damn glad I did. Hearing my name on those luscious lips is likely going to send me into cardiac arrest.
But what a way to go.
“Posey.” My mouth forms the word, but no sound comes out. I’ve said her name so many times in my head, it almost feels like repeating it out loud will break some magical spell. Like I’ll wake up and this will all have been an illusion or the best dream I’ve ever had. “Has anyone ever told you that you smell like heaven?”
That tantalizing blush heats her cheeks again. “No. But you smell,” she inhales deeply and lets it out in a long sigh. “You smell like cotton candy.”
My heart beats double time, suddenly terrified she’s going to hate my scent. “Is that a good thing?”
She nods, biting her lip. “Averygood thing.” Relief fills me. The blush travels further down her neck,making me tilt my head. I don’t know how I know, but there’s a distinctly embarrassed tinge to her scent that drives my alpha crazy with the urge to fix it. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing!” She chirps.
“Pretty girl…”
“Fine,” she groans, dropping her face into her hands. “I practically just mauled you before even learning your name. I’m embarrassed.”
My brain bypasses my mouth completely. “Well yeah, that’s normal when you’re…” I trail off, catching myself before I can let it slip that we’re scent matches. Maybe easing her into this won’t be as easy as I thought since I clearly can’t keep my mouth shut. I clear my throat. “When you meet someone as handsome as me, obviously.” I’m praying she doesn’t notice my slip of the tongue.
Posey giggles, the sound making something in my gut clench. A purr kicks up in my chest, surprising me, but not in a bad way. I always assumed when I purred for the first time it would feel strange or make me nervous, but purring for my scent match feels as natural as breathing. And seeing the way her eyes light up? I’ll purr for her every waking second of the day if she wants.
Just as I decide to try kissing her again, my phone goes off. “Damn it.” I mutter. That’s my practice alarm, which means I have about ten minutes to get to the batting cages before I’m late. And being late means running bases until I hurl. “I’m so sorry, Posey. I’ve got to get to practice, but can I get your number before I go? I’m not sure I can last the two days before our next class without talking to you now that I’ve met you.”
We exchange numbers and I kiss her one more time, cursing coach for scheduling off season practices. The entire walk to practice all I can focus on is Posey’s contact in my phone, and the tiny pink heart she put next to it.
The rest of my classes on Monday are blessedly drama-free, and I woke up cautiously optimistic this morning. McKenzie and I compared schedules yesterday and unfortunately we don’t share any classes together outside of this one, so seeing him might take some creativity around his practices and games. From what I understand they’re in the off season right now for actual games, but he trains year-round to prepare for the pros.
There was another coffee on my doormat this morning, but this one had a little ‘M’ on the lid that made me incredibly suspicious. Is it possible both McKenzie and Paxton are part of the pack next door? With the way I reacted to both of their scents, it certainly feels like they could be. I’ve caught faint traces of scents walking by their apartment, but never anything potent or distinct enough to distinguish for certain one way or another.
I don’t have time to play detective right now, my first class starts in fifteen minutes. This one was an elective I chose because it sounded fun, and not for any educational needs.Introduction to Classical Mythologymeets twice a week and slotted into my schedule perfectly, and while I may not go on to get a degree in the subject, I am extremely interested in learning about it. My dad August is a huge mythology andfolklore buff and was thrilled when I told him I opted for this elective over the other art-based ones.
The classroom is on the opposite side of campus from all my other classes in Chapel Hall, which is one of the oldest buildings in the state. The entirety of Harbor University was built around this building, which is really freaking cool. I’m so excited to get to class and check everything out that I arrive fifteen minutes early, only to find Maisie leaning against one of the smooth stone pillars out front.
“Primrose.” My name comes out like an accusation, which puts me on guard immediately. Any time my cousin starts to sound like my mom, it means a lecture is imminent. Only I might actually deserve this one since I’ve been dodging all of Maisie’s calls and texts for over a week.
“Yes,mom?” I sass back, making her brows climb up her forehead. It was rare that I would ever stand up to her growing up, so I’m sure the fact that I’m doing so now only makes her more apprehensive about my extended silence.
She drops her bag to the grass and runs the last few feet between us to tackle me in a hug, and as much as I hate to admit it, guilty tears spring to my eyes. I probably shouldn’t have cut Maisie out, I think I was just jealous that she had everything I wanted after being so vocally anti-pack my whole life. It feels like I wasted time following her lead, and that realization has left a bitter taste in my mouth. “I was worried about you,” she mutters after placing a kiss on the top of my head. She is short like the rest of the women in our family making her only two inches taller than me, but her hugs have always made me feel like a small child.
I sigh heavily but don’t allow myself to sag into her hold. I’m not ready to tell her everything about the guys, but I feel like I at least owe her some sort of explanation for ghosting her. “I’m sorry, Maise. Being on my own for the first time was a lot different than I expected it to be and I really wanted to try being on my own for once. No family to use as a crutch.I’ve been out meeting people and enjoying my classes. I even made a friend! I think you would like her.”
