Page 107 of Just Wait

It took me a couple days to come to that conclusion, but I would have eventually realized that I’m so drawn to her scent because she’s a scent match. I’m way more attracted to Lumen’s scent than I ever was to Callie’s, and she was an omega.

That has to mean something.

“Your parents are betas too?”

“Yep,” she agrees.

“So are Kincaid’s,” I blurt out.

Shit.

That was probably the wrong thing to say. I don’t want her to take it like I’m hoping she might present one day.

Honestly?

I couldn’t give a shit less about heats or being able to knot her.

I’m attracted to her.

If she was an omega, it would complicate things. We’d have to ask for time off every three months, and she would have to deal with going into heat and the post-heat cramps.

“He mentioned his parents, but I’m not sure I realized that he didn’t grow up in a pack. Actually, I think it was just normal to me when he mentioned his mom and dad, since I’m not used to thinking too much about packs,” Lumen says, glancing up at me. “I guess that means you did?”

“Yeah,” I admit. “Three dads. My mom is an omega, along with all three of my little sisters. I also have an older brother who’s an alpha.”

“Jeez, that’s crazy,” she whispers. “I can’t imagine having so many people in one house. It was just me, my mom, and my dad. Well, until she left. Then it was just me and him. I bet it was nice having siblings to play with.”

“It was nice at times,” I say, hedging my words. “It was also suffocating. I shared a room with my older brother until I turned fifteen, and he moved out.” I clear my throat, squeezing her hand. “When we were talking last night, you mentioned your mom left, but I don’t think I got the full details about that, or if you told me, I’m afraid I forgot⁠—”

“No, you didn’t. I didn’t have the chance to get too deep into it…” She goes on to tell me how her mom couldn’t handle her dad’s drinking and the cheating that went down when he was on the road.

“Okay, I stand by what I said,” I tell her, turning to face her as I release her hand to pull her in for a hug. “That had nothing to do with you and everything to do with her.”

She nods against my chest, wrapping her arms around my lower back. “You give excellent hugs, Riser.”

“It’s been a long time since I hugged anyone.” I chuckle. “I figured I’d be out of practice.”

“I’ll tell you a secret.” Lumen rises onto her tiptoes, and I dip my face to hear what it is. “You’re an amazing kisser too.” Her fingers dig into my back as she crashes her lips to mine.

My tongue swirls around her lower lip, and the next thing I know, her tongue is battling with mine.

A low growl rattles out of my chest, and I fight the urge to pick her up and slam her back against… Okay, there are no walls close by, but there are a few trees just off the sidewalk.

That would probably be uncomfortable, with the bark raking against her skin. I weave my hand into her hair and take over, nipping at her swollen lips.

She smells so damn sweet all over again, and my system doesn’t buy her designation. Her skin is cool against mine, but I remember how hot it was last night. From what I know about betas, that’s not normal.

Jesus.

Is my head playing tricks on me?

It doesn’t matter.

It’s not something I should be obsessing about, especially with a beautiful woman kissing the fuck out of me as she melts against my chest.

We both pull back to breathe, and my heart thumps against my rib cage as Lumen smiles up at me.

“Jesus, woman. You are so fucking pretty.”