Chapter 18 Laz #2
“Occasionally, but they’re pretty busy. Ren’s always buried in a book, Cole’s study schedule is intense, and Damon works a lot. He’s a security guard on campus.”
“Do you have a job?”
“Me? Nah, I’m a man of leisure.” I pass her a wink. “Okay, that’s a lie. I’m pretty busy building my art portfolio and sometimes take on projects for clients—web design, branding, that kinda thing. But I don’t like working for other people.”
“I’d like to see some of your work sometime,” she says. “I loved the card you made me.”
“Oh, that.” I can’t stop the grin that stretches my lips. “That was just a goofy sketch.”
“How long have you been drawing?”
“My whole life. It started out with silly drawings for my family, then it turned into Christmas cards. I guess that’s when I realized this is what I want to do.”
“I love that you’ve found something you’re passionate about.” Faye meets my eyes as the game ends.
She seems genuinely interested in what I have to say. I’ve been on many dates in the past, but most girls just talked about themselves or wanted to know about my pack’s intentions for an omega. They never asked me questions about myself, my family, or hobbies.
“What about you?” I’m desperate to know everything about this woman. “What’re you most passionate about?”
“I guess I’m passionate about making a difference, as corny as it sounds.
” Her nose scrunches adorably. “I haven’t really told many people this before, but after seeing what my gram does, my dream is to open my own omega wellness center after I graduate.
I’d like it be more than a heat clinic; a place to help those who are in trouble or struggling with their designation, you know? ”
“That’s so cool,” I reply. “I haven’t met many omegas who have much ambition beyond joining a pack and having a family—not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I’d love a family of my own one day.” I shake my head quickly.
“Sorry, I promised you nothing serious.” I grab the hammer from the nearby Whack-a-Mole machine then bash myself on the head with it. “Want to play another game?”
I hold out the hammer. When she steps forward to grab it, I snatch it away to tap her lightly on the shoulder with it. She’s much shorter than me, so I easily hold it up high out of her reach.
“Hey!” she whines. “My turn!”
“If you want it,” I wave it above my head, “you’ll have to take it.”
Her eyebrows crinkle in concentration as she assesses the situation. She stands on her tiptoes, leans in, and purses her lips. Shit, is she going to kiss me?
“Gotcha!” Faye jumps and swipes the hammer from my hand, wearing a playful smile as she turns her attention to Whack-a-Mole.
Well, damn. She’s got game. She gives off a sweet and innocent vibe, but the mischievous glint in her eyes has me rearranging my pants to disguise the massive tent I’m sporting.
I lean in behind her, closing the gap between us as she whacks a mole on the head. “No fair. That was basically cheating.”
“I don’t remember you playing by the rules when you definitely didn’t trip on purpose on Dance Dance Revolution to let me win.”
“Damn, you caught me,” I snicker. “I won’t go easy on you next time.”
“You better not.” She bashes a mole. “Aha, gotcha!”
I’m glad to see she seems to be having a good time.
This is the type of relationship I’ve always wanted—one filled with fun, just like my parents have.
I’ve always hoped to meet someone who isn’t afraid to joke around and who doesn’t take herself too seriously—which seems to describe Faye from what I know so far.
She even seems to have a secret competitive side.
When she’s finished, she lets out a happy squeal. “Look!” She looks at the leaderboard, pointing proudly. “I’ve got the highest score!”
I don’t have the heart to tell her it resets daily, and no serious gamer ever plays Whack-a-Mole.
I scoop her up into my arms and whirl her around. “Well done, honeybee!”
When I gently place her down, she’s slightly breathless, and I’m pretty sure it’s not from the winning streak. Her pupils dilate as a tension fizzes between us. Our date seems to have turned from fun into something more.
“T-thank you.” She wrings her hands. “For such an amazing date.”
“A date?” I cross my arms, teasing her. “Is that what this is?”
She averts her gaze. “Only if you want it to be.” She averts her gaze. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to presume—”
“Hey, beautiful.” I grab her chin to tip her face to look at me. “I’d love this to be a date, and I’ll take you on as many dates as you want. And next time, I’ll do better than this.”
“But this has been so much fun!”
“I’ll take that as a personal challenge, then.” I sweep a strand of golden hair from her cheek. At my touch, I catch a hint of her sweet perfume. “If I try to kiss you, are you going to hit me in the head with the hammer again?”
She giggles then shakes her head. The moment our lips meet, I’m in heaven. She tastes as delicious as she smells, and I want more of her. Fuck, I need it.
Her body fits snugly against mine as I walk her back so her ass rests against a machine. It’s a dark, quiet corner with no cameras, lit solely by the faint flicker of the arcade lights.
Our kiss turns harder and more urgent, fueled by a mutual, desperate need.
When she lets out a little whine, the alpha in me instantly responds, hoisting her up onto the machine.
She wraps her shapely legs around my middle, drawing me closer.
My cock hardens even more, desperate to fill her, to knot her, to bathe in her sweet-smelling slick.
"Fuck," I groan. “We … should … stop.” Although it's the last thing I want to do, I pull back.
Her eyes look glazed before my words bring her back to reality, and her face falls. “Did I do something?”
“Of course not, honeybee!” I feel like a total ass. “Trust me, you did nothing wrong. The things I’d like to do to you right now would have me kicked out of this arcade club for life. Which would be totally worth it, but I don’t want any other alpha gamers smelling your sweet slick.”
She hops down, smoothing down her dress. “Maybe we should get some fresh air?”
The promise of sex still hangs in the air and breathing her in a space with little ventilation has me practically drooling.
I curl my hand around hers. “Good idea.”
As soon as we step outside, my phone starts buzzing like crazy. Not wanting any distractions during my time with Faye, I’d silenced my phone, so I didn’t realize the pack chat was blowing up.
COLE
Where are you, Laz? You said you were going for pizza toppings.
REN
He’s with our omega.
COLE
What?! Answer me, Laz!
REN
Maybe Faye wants to join us for pizza night?
“Ren wants to know whether you want to join us for pizza night,” I tell her.
“Well, not just him, me too. I mean, all of us want to know whether you’ll come.
” Did that even make any sense? I’m turning into a teenage boy around her.
Control yourself, Laz! “We have a pizza oven in our yard. We make the dough, pile on our toppings, then just chill. It’ll be fun. ”
“I don’t know.” She bites the inside of her cheek. “I’ve already taken up enough of your time today.”
“Honeybee, we haven’t even put a dent in the time I want to spend with you. Pretty please?” I widen my eyes and pout. I know I look goofy, but I don’t care. Faye makes me feel comfortable enough to act silly. “I’ll even tell everyone you beat me at Dance Dance Revolution fair and square.”
“Fine, I’ll come.” She jokingly swats me on the arm. “But only if that’s okay with everyone else?”
“Let’s see what they say.”
ME
Faye’s gonna join us. She wants to know if that’s cool?
I turn my phone to show her their responses as they come in.
REN
YES!
COLE
Absolutely. Our home is her home.
Damon starts typing, then the three dots vanish. How long will he keep pretending? I know he feels a connection with her, even if he’s too stubborn to admit it yet. It was clear by how he looked at her.
I pick her up to spin her around again, loving the way her sweet laughter makes me feel like I won the lottery. If I had my way, I’d carry her everywhere so she never has to walk again.
All I’ve got to do now is not fuck this up.