Sable
“The heck?” I grumble, sitting up in bed to see the time when loud banging startles me. That's what woke me up from a dead sleep, but what the fuck is it? “It’s five in the morning!?” I grumble when I see the time. “What is that noise?” And why am I talking to myself?
I grab my black silk robe, pulling it on over my matching sleep set of a crop top cami and booty shorts.
I head downstairs toward the source of the sound, and pause at the foot of the stairs, glancing around the back workspace.
I don’t see anything out of place… When another bang vibrates through the room, my head snaps toward the back door.
Is it coming from outside? Oh shit, is it trash day or something? And why are they so noisy?
This time, the loud bang bang bang sounds more like a hammer on wood, and I pick up the pace. Maybe I should be worried about someone trying to break in, but my instincts aren't telling me to run away, so I carry on with my investigation.
I push the back door open with a hard shove, and someone grunts on the other side.
The thud lets me know I just hit someone, and as it opens fully, I see Colter.
We stare at each other with wide eyes for a long moment until his eyes trail down my body.
His gaze sharpens as he takes in my robe and bare feet.
His pupils dilate on his next indrawn breath before focusing back on my face.
“Rude,” he grumbles, rubbing his head where the door must have hit him. Oopsies.
“My bad… I wasn’t expecting, well, you.” I tilt my head at him, taking in the sight of the tools and work clothes.
“Why are you out here before the sun, Colter?” I prop my hand on my hip, trying to make sense of what’s happening.
At least now I know why my instincts weren't driving me to flee. Colter isn’t a threat to me, but it appears he is a threat to my porch, seeing as it’s currently half ripped up.
The heat traveling up my neck and turning my cheeks pink tingles as I take in the sight of the alpha bent down on one knee, looking up at me.
Black work shirt with cut-off sleeves, and torn up dark blue jeans.
The backwards baseball cap shouldn’t be this attractive. But sweet hell, he looks so good.
He’s sweating already too, and I admire the way it glistens in the dim light of the rising sun. How long has he been out here? His scent hits me, strong and full of musk and sweat and proof of his hard work, and fuck, am I drooling?
“Fixing the porch,” he mumbles, frowning and still rubbing his head. I wince, since I wasn't trying to hurt the poor alpha. Just investigate the ruckus that woke me up from a dead sleep.
“Why didn’t you say something? You scared me.
You could have warned me, you know?” I huff, shaking my head, and leaning against the door frame, hand still propped on my other side.
I could have told you to stay far away because my hormonal inner omega cannot handle this at five in the morning. Or ever.
“I don’t have your current phone number, and I tried knocking for ten minutes.
I even called the shop phone, but that’s set to voicemail.
You never responded, so I gave up and got to work.
Now I know that if I want to get your attention, I need a damn hammer though,” Colter huffs, lifting his ball cap, shaking his hair out, and placing it back on his head.
“Oh.” I stare at him for a long moment, not sure what else to do, or even say. Does he really need to be so attractive? “Well…do you want some coffee?” I eventually offer.
“Sure, thank you,” he says with a sigh, his gaze softening as he watches me. I nod, leaning out to pull the door shut, my robe falling open slightly. Colter’s gray eyes snag on my body, and I slam the door harder than necessary.
Hustling up the stairs, I question the desire I saw in his eyes. Maybe he just likes silk pajamas. I’m sure the look he gave me had nothing to do with my bare legs being eye level with his face.
Or my scent reacting to the sight of him on his knees, covered in sweat and smelling like hard work.
Curious now, I decide to leave the robe on as I make his coffee.
It's entirely too early to be doing anything other than sipping coffee. Honestly, I should still be in bed, but I’m not going to stop the alpha from fixing up the porch.
It doesn’t take long to brew the coffee, and I pour a generous amount into a cauldron shaped mug for myself, leaving room for creamer, while filling a dark purple travel mug for Colter. I doubt he takes it any other way, but I bring my vanilla cream with me just in case he likes it sweet.
I take my time carrying them back down the stairs, taking a sip of my favorite potion.
“Here,” I say when I push the door open, much more gently this time, and hold the travel mug out to him.
“Thanks,” he says, setting down his tools, and tugging his gloves off before taking the cup, immediately taking a sip. “Not bad,” he teases, smirking at me.
“Might be better if it wasn't so damn early,” I grumble at him, but he doesn't seem the least bit bothered, and just lifts his brow at me, taking another sip. His top teeth catch his bottom lip before he responds.
“I have work later today. Didn’t want to leave it half finished, so I started early,” he explains, and I feel like a dick. Fair enough. “Cream?” He asks, nodding to the bottle I have tucked into my elbow.
“Want some?” I offer, and for a moment, his eyes darken again. He looks my body up and down once again, before nodding.
“Very badly,” he growls, and the heat that flashes through me could light a fire.
I hand him the bottle silently, blushing violently as he takes it.
He pours in just a splash, checking the label.
“Vanilla? I was hoping for sweet pumpkin pie.” He watches me intently as I lick my lips and swallow, taking the bottle back from him as he sips the coffee once again.
Am I crazy, or is he referring to my scent? Or… My slick? No. No, that would be crazy.
“Oh,” I murmur, clutching my mug desperately and questioning my sanity.
Too damn early for yummy alphas talking dirty as hell.
Colter
She's so fucking beautiful that it steals my breath. Hell, it steals every thought from my head except one… Mate her, mark her, knot her.
I can't take my eyes off of her as she leans against the doorway, clutching her mug like a lifeline. Her dark green hair is up in a messy bun, and all I can think about is messing it up more with my fingers.
Tilting her head back and kissing her senseless as she moans into my mouth.
Her scent is so damn mouth-watering. Sweet pumpkin pie that melts on your tongue.
All I can think about is the way she would taste.
Her black robe falls against her thighs in a way that keeps drawing my gaze down.
Fuck, I want to eat her whole. Sink my teeth into those thighs, marking the pale skin pink.
I've only kissed her once. But once was enough to know that I could never get enough of her.
I thought that my plans for the future would get in the way of whatever life we could have together, but then my life got derailed, and she was the one who was gone.
Instead of leaving this town in my past like I planned, I’m the one who got left behind.
But by the time she left, I’d already done the damage, and broken her heart.
Fuck, it killed me when she moved away before I could repair things, but not as much as it would have killed me if she'd stayed for me. So I stayed far away, even though it killed me knowing I’d pushed her away.
After I kissed her, I swore I would never touch her again. We weren’t even together yet, and I told her we never could be. I knew it crushed her, and as soon as I said it, I regretted every word, but back then I thought I was doing the right thing for her.
I never thought we'd be back here six years later. Me fixing her porch, yearning for a woman who I never thought could be mine. Not truly. But she’s here now. And every reason I had to stay in this town died with Mom. If she leaves again, I could go with her this time.
“Well, when you’re done, I'll make you breakfast, big guy,” she says with a soft smile, as I hand her the creamer.
Big guy… Fuck, I used to hate that nickname. I'm large, even for an alpha. It's something my family started when I was barely a teenager. I don't know why it sounds different when Sable says it.
Affectionate, instead of insulting. Like I’m cuddly, rather than intimidating.
Fucking hell, am I really this far gone already?
Maybe I've always been gone for Sable.
Who are you fucking kidding? You’ve only ever loved one girl. Don’t fuck this up…
“That would be great, thank you, Angel.” I nod, setting my mug down a safe distance away.
“I’m just going to go shower. Thanks for this by the way. I don’t think I said that yet,” she adds, giving me a little wave as she closes the door.
Anything for you.
I’ve been doing repairs on my moms place for the last decade. A small porch like this is simple, but I take my time, even though I want to rush. I’m not leaving her with a shitty rush job, just because I want to spend time with her.
An image of Sable sitting in a rocking chair, sipping a sweet tea as I work, two or three kids running around fills my head, and I can’t shake the desire to make it a reality.
Would that be our reality now, if she’d never left?
No… She’d be with Taron. His mate, his girl.
His. Not mine. What if she still wants him?
The image in my mind morphs, and Taron is there too.
Cradling a newborn in his arms as our omega tips her head toward the sun, eyes shut, a content smile on her lips.
Fuck. Our omega. Could we build that pack she wanted once upon a time?