Bound in Heat and Snow (Double-Booked for the Holidays #7)

Chapter 1

Chapter one

Hayden

The thing about the upcoming holidays is that if you’re a single omega like me, your family expects you to find someone to bring home with you. If you don’t bring home some big, strapping alpha who wants to fill you up with babies, then you can expect hundreds of questions and pitying looks.

Or if you’re extra special, like me, then you can expect blind dates and alphas of all shapes and sizes being paraded in front of you like you’re at some strange man meat buffet. Alphas that are all kinds of wrong and just creep you the hell out.

If your family is anything like mine, they claim that they just want you to be happy. Ignore the fact that it would make you extra happy to not be set up with your fifty-four-year-old neighbor, who is, quite honestly, more suitable for your mom.

Hence, my current situation. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that.

“Do you really have to use so much of that stuff?” Nora asks, face scrunched. She’s leaning against the doorframe of our bathroom, watching me get ready for my date. “It smells like cinnamon and flowers, but in a weird way.”

I laugh. “A weird way?” My best friend has never been a fan of floral scents, and if I’m honest, neither have I.

“Yeah, spicy lavender shouldn’t be a thing.”

I laugh again. Of course, Nora would make me smile when I’m this nervous. She knows exactly what I need before I do. Just like I can do the same for her. She’s been my best friend since high school, after she dumped spaghetti over her ex-boyfriend’s head in the cafeteria for bullying me.

“But seriously,” she says, scrunching her nose. “It smells like you used the whole bottle of scent blockers.”

“I know,” I groan, walking into my bedroom.

“It’s just that I’m so close to my heat, and I really need this date to go well.

It’s either this guy or Mom is going to try to set me up with some random guy for our holiday vacation.

” Every year, my family and I go on vacation, and every year since turning twenty, Mom has taken it upon herself to make sure I don’t die lonely.

Or at least that’s what she tells me whenever I find myself sitting next to some unknown alpha at Christmas dinner.

Four years. Four alphas. Screw that. I’m finding my own date this year.

“True.” Nora nods, following me. “But isn’t this an easier solution? The guy smells your heat coming, and he’ll want to jump your bones.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, watch him take my heat and then leave right after,” I scoff. “I need the guy to like me enough to be willing to go on Christmas vacation with my family.” My very large, loving, Filipino family.

Nora chuckles. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

“Hey!” I yell, outraged. I throw a pillow at her, and before I know it, we are in full pillow-fight mode, laughing and having a good time. Nerves forgotten. Damn, I love my bestie.

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting across from the rudest alpha I’ve ever met.

This guy might be attractive, but his personality is absolutely horrid.

At this point, I’m tempted to sneak off to the restroom and call Mom to tell her Old Man Roger would make a wonderful date.

At least the nosy neighbor is a gentleman.

“Look,” Fergison says, lifting his wineglass to his lips. “This clearly isn’t going to work.” Despite his words, he gives me this sleezy up-and-down look, making it obvious that he’s checking me out. Which is confusing as hell.

I stiffen at his words, feeling slightly offended.

I mean, sure, I was just thinking the same fucking thing, but I wasn’t going to go around announcing it for the whole damn restaurant to hear.

Feeling a bit sassy—and a little defeated—I open my mouth before I can think better of it. “And why is that?”

He smirks, as if he’s happy I asked. “You just remind me of those nerdy, desperate little omegas who always wanted to jump my bones just because I was the quarterback. The quarterback status always gets omegas to melt.”

I arch a brow, unimpressed. “Hmm, talk about a disappointing cliché,” I snap. “My brother was a quarterback, and he wasn’t repugnant like you.”

A deep rumble of laughter can be heard from somewhere behind me. I mentally high-five myself for at least entertaining someone.

Instead of pissing this alpha off, like I hoped, he looks slightly confused. “See? Repugnant. Who says that word nowadays, and what does it even mean? It’s clear this thing between us isn’t going to work.”

“You’re right,” I reply, pointing an index finger between the two of us. Why the hell is this guy still talking? “It’s not going to work, buddy. My taste in alphas requires a stronger vocabulary, or at the very least, a basic understanding of respect.”

Fergison licks his teeth before leaning in close and sniffing the air around me. “Mmm, lavender. Why don’t we forget about this stupid so-called date and get out of here? Let’s take what we both want tonight. I can show you a good time, probably the best you’ll ever have, then we can part ways.”

Then, the fucker has the audacity to reach for my face. I jerk back before he can make contact.

A chair screeches loudly, as if insulted for me, but I don’t pay any attention. I’ve had enough of this asshole. Before I even know what’s happening, I’m throwing my expensive glass of wine all over my date. Several people gasp around us.

I smirk at the way his mouth gapes open like a fish gasping for water. Red wine drips off his face before dripping onto the front of his now-stained dress shirt.

“You fucking little—”

“Is there a problem here?” A shadow falls across the table, and I’m forced to look up…

and up. Standing there, towering over both of us, is the most handsome alpha I’ve ever seen.

Dark hair and warm brown eyes. Mr. Handsome is in a well-tailored suit fit to perfection.

It hugs his muscular arms in this tempting way that makes me want to peel off his suit jacket with my teeth.

Totally awkward, but I would try my hardest to make it work.

Mr. Handsome peers down at me with an amused smile, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. See, now this alpha looks like a quarterback. And, goddess forgive me, but I want to jump his bones.

Huh, maybe Fergi-boy here had a good point.

Fergison sneers, head jerking up to look at Mr. Handsome, but as soon as he does, that amused smile and the warmth in those eyes fall away, replaced with a mask that’s intimidating as hell. The man is scary as fuck in alpha mode.

I squirm in my seat. Yeah, so not the time to get all hot and bothered. But come on, he’s playing the role of my knight in shining armor so well. Fergison must see what I see because his confidence drops. Fergi-boy knows this alpha would win in a fight.

“Who the hell are you?” Fergison asks, voice cracking just a little.

“You’re causing quite a commotion. This is a fine-dining restaurant. I’m going to have to ask you to leave, sir.”

“He’s the one who threw wine at me,” he complains, waving a hand my way.

Mr. Handsome glances between me and the table before returning his gaze to Fergison’s stained shirt. “Yes,” he replies. “And it looks like he has great aim. Not even a drop of wine on the tablecloth.”

My smile widens. Goddess, this gorgeous man really is defending me.

Fergison stands, I’m assuming to get in this other alpha’s face, but it’s so satisfying to see him fall short.

A whole half a foot short. Not that I think height means power, but alphas like Fergison will see it that way.

Sure enough, his shoulders slump, but his attitude stays in place.

“I said, who the hell are you? The owner or something?”

“I am,” Mr. Handsome replies easily.

Fergison straightens his dress shirt, his hand running across the wet wine stain he must have forgotten. Once he feels the moist fabric, he winces. “Come on, Henry. Let’s go find somewhere better to have dinner.”

He holds out his hand.

I cross my arms over my chest and smirk, not even bothering to correct him with my real name. “Nah. I think I’m good here. But you should probably leave before they call the cops.”

Fergison narrows his eyes and huffs. He throws his white linen napkin onto the table. “Fine,” he grumbles. “You pay for the wine. Good luck, Henry, ’cause this shit is expensive.” And just like that, he walks off.

The tension drops from my shoulders, and I’m about to thank the handsome owner of this fine establishment when he waves a hand at Fergi-boy’s empty seat. “Would you like some company? My treat.”

I arch a brow, curious. “Sure, why not?” My stomach decides to make its presence known and growls.

Mr. Handsome chuckles, flagging down the server. He slides into the chair across from me. For an alpha, his moves are graceful, almost feline, reminding me of a predator.

“Let’s get something to eat,” he says. “I’m starved and could go for some decent company. I’ve dealt with assholes like that all day today, and you’re… a breath of fresh air.”

My heart does a little flip at his sincere tone. I know he doesn’t really mean anything by it, but after a horrible string of alpha-holes and boring dates, it’s a nice compliment. Plus, I’ve always been a sucker for praise.

“My name is Thorne,” he says, extending his hand toward me from across the table.

“Hayden,” I reply. His hand is large, practically swallowing mine.

He grins. “I didn’t peg you for a Henry. Hayden is more fitting. Prettier.”

Oh, goddess, is he really flirting with me? If the words came from anyone else, I would think they were cheesy as hell, but from Thorne, he just sounds confident, yet honest.

He studies the menu as if he’s never seen it before. By the time the server reaches our table, she’s ready to take our order. She eyes my empty glass. “Would you like another wine, sir?” Her eyes sparkle with humor, and it seems she’s also impressed by my wine-throwing.

“Why don’t you order something you prefer? Not what that alpha-hole wanted. Thorne nudges my foot from under the table, and for some reason, the move makes my stomach flip. I don’t think I’ve ever played footsie with someone before, so why do I find it so tempting now?

“How did you—you know what? You’re right. Let me get a strawberry daiquiri.” Who cares if it looks silly in such a fancy restaurant? If they didn’t want people to order it, they shouldn’t have put it on the menu.

As soon as we finish ordering our food, I notice the way his eyes scan our surroundings.

“Are you really the owner?” I blurt, even though it’s obvious now that he isn’t.

That deep rumbling laughter I heard earlier tumbles from his lips, causing my toes to curl. Ah. So, this is the man who found me so entertaining earlier. Interesting.

“Nope.” He pops the p before the sexiest smirk tips his lips to the right.

I laugh. Goddess, this alpha. I slide my left foot against his calf playfully before placing it back on the floor. “Where have you been hiding my whole life?”

Thorne relaxes against his seat, looking unfazed by my obvious flirting.

Slowly, his foot slides forward and presses against mine.

I smile against my glass. If anyone were to glance over, our whole interaction might look innocent.

Maybe even professional, with Thorne in such a fancy suit.

But under the table, it’s as if we share a secret.

“I live in a small town a few hours from here. What about you? Are you from here?”

I nod, though I’m a bit disheartened by the fact that he doesn’t live closer. “Yeah. Born and raised.”

“It’s nice here, but a little too busy for me. City life always felt like a fun vacation, but my heart belongs in a tight-knit community.” His chocolate-brown eyes sparkle. “There’s something special about being able to walk down the street and be greeted by your neighbors.”

My mind wanders to my favorite TV show I was watching with Nora. How many times have we wished we could just run away to a town where everyone knows everyone? Where everyone accepts everyone. “That sounds wonderful. I’d love to find something like that,” I reply. “Minus some creepy cult.”

Thorne barks out a laugh. “Of course. My town is quite…magical. Creepy cult not included.”

The server returns with our drinks. I take a sip of my daiquiri and moan.

Strawberry flavor bursts on my tongue. It has just the right balance of sweet and tart.

“Oh, goddess. I could kiss you for suggesting this,” I say, taking another sip.

“That jackass made fun of me when I told him I wanted something sugary. He said it would ruin my appetite.”

“Fuck, what an asshole. What were you even doing with that guy?” Despite his words, Thorne’s tone isn’t accusing. Rather, he sounds amused, almost as if he’s glad he replaced the jerk. Well, if that’s the case, I’m glad too.

I groan. “Honestly, it’s kind of an embarrassing story.”

“I won’t judge you, and I have all night if you do?” He says it so casually, I know he means it. So far, Thorne is unlike any alpha I’ve ever met. He’s protective, patient, and funny. What’s the freaking catch? He has to be married or something. Goddess, please don’t let him be married.

“Okay, Alpha,” I tease, loving the way his eyes darken at the title. “If you want a story, I can give you one.”