Chapter 44
Milton
All I can think about since last night is Bayleigh. Everything is falling into place. We’re an official pack. Her parents approve of our courting her, and even Korbin and Benton found peace between them.
Everything is coming up roses.
The only thing I want now is to spend time with her. Just the two of us. Building the bond that's growing between us.
Nervously, I pull my phone from my locker, grinning at Korbin, who’s fuming because of the lecture Coach gave us this morning about how we acted with the matchmaker. The damn asshole tried to tell us we were going to be paired with an omega of their choosing if we didn’t pick.
That’s not happening. We let him know that in not so many nice words either. In return, the two of us got a practice from hell.
It only takes me a second to pull up our private message thread.
Me: Hey Baby, what’cha doing?
She responds almost immediately.
Bayleigh: Just finished uploading the last of my scheduled posts on the Krakens’ social media sites. Why?
Me: Are you hungry?
Bayleigh: Ravenous. I skipped breakfast this morning and now I’m all hyped up on coffee.
Me: At home?
Bayleigh: Yes??
Me: I can be there in 30. Have lunch with me? Let me take you on a date.
I see the dots dancing then they stop, as does my heart. Shit, was it too much? Is she not ready for me to ask her on a date? Fuck, maybe Lincoln already has one planned with her, and she doesn’t know how to tell me. All these are stupid ramblings, yet I still have them.
Bayleigh: I’d love to. Do I need to change? I have on boots and a sweater.
Me: Nope, it’s perfect. OMW.
“What are you smiling about?” Korbin asks, dropping down on the bench to put on his shoes.
When did he get fully dressed?
“I asked Bayleigh out on a lunch date. She said yes. Once I drop you off, I’m going to go get her.” I can’t help the beaming smile on my face. By the end of the day, my cheeks are going to be killing me.
“No, go to her now. I can call Lincoln to get me or get a rideshare.”
“You sure? It won’t take any time to drop you off; we don't have a time crunch.” I pull my shirt out of the locker and pull it over my head, then drop the towel and pull on my boxers. Normally, I like to go commando, but it’s fucking cold outside and I don’t want my dick to disappear.
“Positive. Besides, it gives me time to plan my date with her.” He tosses me a wink before he stands, pulling out his own phone, and quickly typing a message. His phone buzzes in his hand, and he reads the message. “Problem solved. Lincoln and I are going to have our own lunch date.”
We both laugh, and I finish getting dressed so I can go pick up my beautiful omega.
Before I left the house this morning, I grabbed a notebook.
Figured it would be easier than typing on a phone and passing back and forth.
To me it feels more intimate, and I secretly plan to keep our messages as my own little prize to read over and over when she’s not with me.
Sappy. But who cares.
The drive goes by in a blur, and before I know it, I’m pulling up to her house. She must be waiting because she rushes out the door, coat on but undone, while she pulls on some gloves.
Nope. Not happening. This isn’t how we’re starting our date.
I’m out of my truck in a flash, heading right for her, and she now has a stunned expression on her face. Stopping in front of her, I make sure to speak slowly, clearly and never look away from her.
“I asked you on a date, Baby. When I take my girl on a date, I expect to walk up to her door, knock on it and escort her to her chariot. Not have her running out the door like I just blew my horn for her.”
She blushes. Fuck, does it look sexy as hell on her. Now all I can think about is feasting on her pussy as she comes all over my tongue. My cock wants that too, and it starts to harden, pressing against the zipper in my pants. I have to breathe to calm down.
I slip my arm through hers and lead her back up to the door, waiting for her to go back inside. Then, and only then, do I ring the doorbell.
When she opens it this time, it feels right, like I’m truly courting her, and I sign the phrase I’ve been practicing since I got home last night.
You look beautiful.
Her face softens, her eyes tearing up. I hate that she does that every time one of us signs something to her. When she said no one tried to learn, I thought maybe she overexaggerated just a bit, but now I know she didn’t.
“Thank you,” she mouths, signing as well.
I copy the sign, and she nods in approval. I give a fist pump into the air, proud that I’ve added another sign to my knowledge bank. She laughs, and I make a mental tick for another win in the best boyfriend category.
Opening the door for her, she climbs inside the car, and I sigh in relief that she’s out of the cold. I jog around the front of the truck and climb inside, making sure to hurry up and start the engine. When I glance over at her, she’s smiling back at me.
“How do you feel about burgers and mozzarella sticks?” I ask her.
“Love them,” she says, her voice hoarse.
“Well, that’s perfect, since I know the best place in town. Then, I thought we could stroll through downtown, check out some of the shops.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Reaching across the console, I take her hand into mine, and back out of the driveway.
It doesn’t take long to get downtown, and even less time to find a spot in the parking garage.
She goes to open her door and I reach out, stopping her, shaking my head at her.
I take a moment and pull the notebook from where I stashed it between my seat and the console before getting out, rushing around to her side, and opening her door.
Hand in hand we stroll down the sidewalk, stopping here and there to gaze at the window displays in the stores. We eventually make it to the restaurant. Well, it’s more pub meets sports bar than restaurant. But the food is better than any Michelin star rated establishment.
We’re seated quickly, and I guide Bayleigh to the table, my hand placed at the small of her back.
“Your server will be with you shortly,” the hostess tells us, placing menus in front of us.
“Do you have a pen I can borrow? I promise to give it back to you before we leave.”
“Umm, let me check.” She reaches into her apron pocket, pulling out one and handing it to me. “You can keep it.” She winks, obviously having the wrong idea about why I’m wanting it.
I give her a smile, but my eyes are locked on my beautiful omega. She opens the menu, but I can see her blushing. Pink looks good on her.
I open my notepad, and scribble out a note.
I can tell you that anything here is good. The mozzarella sticks and loaded cheese fries are my favorites. Did you want an appetizer?
The hostess must get the point when I slide the notebook over to Bayleigh and hand her the pen to respond back to me.
Can we get both.? They’re both my favs and I don’t know if I can choose between them.
She goes to slide it back over to me, but stops, and writes something else, before giving it back to me.
PS. I love this. That you brought a notebook for us to communicate with.. It makes everything seem more personal.
We debate over the menu, and she tells me what she wants to eat, so that I can just tell the server.
Everything feels perfect. Nothing can tarnish these moments we’re sharing.
We end up playing our own version of twenty questions to get to know each other, even though it’s way more than twenty we end up asking each other.
We only take a break long enough to eat when our food arrives.
Picking up the ketchup, I squirt a good-sized amount onto my plate and see her fingers reaching over, snagging a fry, and taking a bite of it.
“We have a fry thief,” I joke, making sure she can see my lips.
She just shrugs her shoulders and steals another one, giggling as she does it.
Maybe I like your fries more than I like you.
I know from the twinkling in her eyes that she’s teasing.
Good thing I don’t mind sharing.
I write back, sliding the notebook back over to her as I lean in closer, kissing her softly on the cheek, while stealing a fry off her plate. Making sure that there’s a big production when I eat it.
She gives me a playful swat before picking up the pen and scribbling out another message. Fun fact: I love that my girl is a leftie like me.
You… you really mean it? About helping me? With my heat. I don’t want you to think that you have to.
There’s not a doubt in my mind, Bayleigh. In fact, it’s all I’ve been thinking about since last night. I’m honored you even asked.
She casts her eyes down when she reads my message, and I take the opportunity to steal a mozzarella stick from her. She swipes at my hand, snagging it back before I even get to take a bite of the cheesy goodness.
My hands tighten on the wheel as I drive. I hate that I’m taking her home tonight instead of to my house. But I can be patient; it’s one of the key features of courting. My heart longs for the day that my home will also be hers.
When I turn onto her street, I pull off to the side, just before her house. There’s nothing but trees beside us; it’s the perfect place to steal a few moments together without prying eyes.
She looks over at me, confused. There’s just enough light coming from the dash and the streetlights that she can see my face to read my lips.
“I wanted to kiss you, without risking your parents or brother catching us.”
She laughs. Soft and sweet.
“Then what are you waiting for?” she asks.
Her words fill me with fire, and I lean over toward her, pressing my lips to hers. But this isn’t going to work.
“Let’s move to the backseat,” I tell her as I pull away.
She nods, immediately opens her door, and gets in the back as I hurry and do the same.
We kiss again, softly. But it quickly turns into something hotter. I press her back against the seat, our scents mixing together, creating an intoxicating aroma. I can smell the heady scent of her slick.
I force myself not to rush this with her. It’s just us together, kissing, exploring each other. A chance to get more intimate before her heat. But when she whispers my name, I can’t control myself any longer. I deepen our kiss, and she takes hold of my shirt, pulling me closer to her.
I want to do so many things, but I’m also very aware of where we are and the high chance of someone stumbling on us. My hand slips under her shirt, her flesh warm against my hand. She lets out a soft moan when my hands move upward, cupping her breasts over her bra.
Her perfume fills the cab of the truck, her slick sharp and sweet. It’s taking everything in me not to lose my freaking mind, but there’s no way I’m taking anything from her that she’s not willing and ready to give.
I need to touch her, to taste her.
I pull away from her, both of us a panting mess.
“Can I touch you?”
She bites her lower lip, her teeth dragging across the plump flesh as she nods her head. She moves her hands between our bodies and undoes her pants, lifting her hips enough so she can shimmy them down, exposing her bare pussy to me.
Our lips find each other again as I slip my fingers through her wet folds. She’s drenched. I rub tiny, firm circles around her clit as she writhes beneath me, chasing the pleasure I’m giving her.
My fingers move lower, finding her opening, and I slip one, then two fingers inside, making sure the heel of my palm presses on her clit.
I move my fingers unhurried at first, letting them go deeper inside of her, learning the rhythm that makes her gasp and arch and grip the seat so hard her knuckles go white.
It’s taking every ounce of my control not to rip my clothing off and bury my knot deep inside of her. It’s only a few moments later when she comes undone, her pussy clamping down on my fingers as she comes.
“Fuck me,” she whispers hoarsely. The words are so out of place coming from her sweet mouth.
“I can’t wait to.”
I leave my fingers buried deep inside of her until her body relaxes, then I pull them out, making sure she watches as I suck her slick off of them.
“Thank you,” I tell her before leaning in and giving her another kiss.
I pull back just enough to catch her gaze, lingering there, both of us breathless. “You okay?” I question as my thumb brushes her cheek.
Bayleigh nods, cheeks flushed, a smile trembling on her lips. “Better than okay.”
God, it’s still so strange and wonderful at the same time to hear her voice. But I know that she has a lot of anxiety from not using it for so long.
I help her pull up her pants, redoing them, making sure her hair is back in place, before she climbs back into the front seat. It only takes a minute for us to pull into her driveway. I turn the truck off, rushing around to open her door for her.
Our fingers interlock as I walk her to the front door of her house. My body still thrums with the excitement of what we just did. I give her one final kiss, then wait as she opens the door and steps inside.
Only then do I go back to my truck. I press my back against the seat, gripping the steering wheel, breathing in her lingering scent, and tasting the memory of her kiss in the air around me.
Today has been the best day of my life.
I can finally admit it without any doubt. I’m in love with Bayleigh Lennox.