“Of course,” I breathe, my chest tight with anticipation.
He lays his hands on the table, palms up, and his eyes blaze into mine. “I like you Maeve, a lot,” he murmurs. “I’ve liked you for so long it’s ridiculous.” He laughs to himself and shakes his head. “I want to date you. I want to court you, win you over. I want to buy you so many books that our book club never ends.”
My eyes widen and my face splits into a huge smile. “Really?”
My hand fiddles with the straw wrapper on the table, and he reaches to take it in his, his fingers gently stroking my knuckles. “Really, gorgeous.”
“You want to date me?” I repeat, my head spinning with excitement.
Part of me already knew this, of course. We had danced around the idea for months, just enjoying each other’s company and inhaling our scents whenever we could.
But to hear it in Ivan’s sweet, low timbre makes my thighs clench together, and I squirm in my seat while he continues to caress my knuckles.
“Absolutely. I want to take care of you. Be with you, however you’ll have me.” He brings my knuckles to his mouth, not breaking eye contact as he kisses each of them.
My inner Omega swoons. Despite the mixture of scents and pheromones in the bar, I still can home in on Ivan’s delicious aroma.
Summertime. Happiness.
A sunset that never ends.
I remain stunned at his declaration.
“I would be honored to be part of your pack,” he adds, and a weight is lifted off my chest.
He wasn’t jealous of Logan at all.
He wasn’t trying to keep me to himself.
“You don’t…you’re okay with—” I start, but he simply shakes his head.
I’ve heard horror stories of Alphas trying to hog an Omega to themselves when the Omega yearns for more than one packmate.
I didn’t think that would be the case with Ivan, but hearing him say it makes my smile lighter and my breath come easier.
“Babe, if you want a thousand people in your pack, I don’t care. Just let me be in it.”
I snort, my face flaming. “A thousand is a bit much,” I tell him. “I don’t evenhavea pack yet. It’s just you.”
“Which means you’re saying yes?” Ivan adds hopefully. I squeeze his hand and nod earnestly.
“Of course. Are you kidding? I get a book clubanda boyfriend in the same day?” I say. “It’s every girl’s dream.”
He barks out a carefree laugh, and it’s the best first date I’ve ever been on.
Our entrees arrive, a steak salad for me and short ribs for him, and we continue to chat just like we do on our lunch breaks at work.
I find out he’s the only male in his immediate family—he was raised by his mom and three older sisters.
His dad isn’t in the picture anymore.
“So, that’s why you’re so understanding,” I say over a bite of salad. “You grew up with women all around you.”
“I like to think they taught me empathy,” he says. “And patience, and how to be understanding with people.”
“You’rereallygood with people. You can win anyone over.” I’ve seen the angriest, most stressed out pet owners immediately soften with Ivan there—he’s an excellent communicator and is able to relate to others without trying to solve their problems for them.
“I only try to win over the important people.” He looks at me pointedly. “Hopefully, it works.”
