Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Benson: Five still good?
Plum: Yes, see you soon.
We agreed to meet at my place at five, but I’ve been here getting ready since three.
Seeing Nick flustered me, but I still managed to finish my ornaments for the day, plan out what to make for his shop, and decide what I could take that’s already stocked.
I left early, wanting enough time to shower and dry my hair, but I still haven’t been able to decide what to wear tonight.
I twirl my phone in my hands, feeling guilty about calling Sable because I know she’s busy, but I can’t call Stella. Not right now.
Stella is a great friend, and I know I can normally trust her with my deepest secrets.
However, she’s naturally curious. Honestly, she’s downright nosy.
I already know she’ll ask too many questions, and I can’t tell her a damn thing, not about this.
If I try to tell her I’m dressing up for no reason, it won’t fly.
She’d grill me relentlessly, which means I can only call Sable.
I hit the button to video call her, instantly feeling impatient for her to answer.
Sable is the kind of friend who would help you bury a body, so long as you had a good enough reason for committing the crime.
She wants to know what's going on, but it’s because she wants to know you’re okay.
Still, I know if I tell her I can’t explain, she won’t argue.
She still hasn’t pressed me for answers about the time Benson interrupted our call by hitting on me or why I smelled like Nick the night before that.
Not that it was anything exciting. It was just when I found Benson drunk after trying to flirt with Nick at the bar.
“I need you!” I cry into the phone when the video call finally connects.
“What?” she asks, looking more confused than she sounds.
“I know you’re in a recently bonded sex fog, but I need you to get your shit together for long enough to help me,” I growl at my phone as I hold the camera up so Sable can see my full body in the mirror.
“I’m not in a sex fog. I’m just confused!” Sable complains, but her camera is roughly five inches away from her face, and I have no doubt that it’s because she’s naked. Her men probably are too, and I really don’t want or need to see that, so I’m not going to complain about her camera placement.
“I know. Just… Tell me this looks good.” I huff. I hate lying to Sable, but until I talk to Benson, I don’t want to tell her what we’re planning or why I suddenly need outfit advice. “I’m not leaving the apartment, but I can’t tell you more than that.”
“Plum, you’d look good in anything,” Sable says gently, giving me a wrinkly-nosed look.
“But if you’re not going to leave your apartment for whatever this is, I think maybe the dress is a little bit overkill.
” She lifts her brow at me before narrowing her eyes.
“Also, didn’t you just scold me not too long ago about calling you for this exact predicament? ”
“Yes, but the difference is that I hate phone calls, and this is a video chat.” I grin as she gives me an unamused glare, apparently not dignifying that with a response, and I decide to wrap it up.
She can go back into her sex fog now I’ve got an answer about the dress.
“Okay, thank you! I owe you a coffee. Love you. Bye!” I blurt, waving as I quickly hang up.
Benson is going to be here any minute, so I need to change, like, right now.
I strip out of the dress and toss it onto the pile of clean clothes on my bedroom chair that’s strictly used for my gently worn but not quite dirty clothes.
Grabbing a loose-fitting black cropped band t-shirt, I pull it on, then slide my high-waist black yoga shorts on next before checking my reflection.
Okay. This is good. I think. It shows off my super cute ass but doesn’t scream, ‘I’m a big slut for alphas!’
Or maybe it does…
Oh, fuck it. Whatever. I’m not trying to convince Benson to fall in love with me or prove to him I have morals and values he might look for in a mate.
“I might be nuts…” I whisper to my reflection. I went makeup-free, and my hair is down. I also ordered food because I’m not a cook but thought I should have food available if Benson wants to eat. I’m too nervous to eat right now, but if I get hungry later, at least it’s there.
I put on some clear lip balm, almost dropping it when my doorbell rings and I yelp, jumping at the sound. I’m on edge as I holler towards the door.
“Come in!” I shout before snorting to myself as I add in a whisper, “—side me.” God, I’m such a dork.
I guess tonight will be the perfect test to see if Benson can handle my chaos. Everyone knows me so well and would never believe I’d change who I am for a relationship. Maybe I could tame it a bit, though, so I don’t scare him off.
“Plum?” I hear Benson call as the front door clicks shut. So, with one last deep breath, I head out of my bedroom and into the living room.
“Hi, Benson. How—” I freeze mid-step and mid-sentence when I see him, and it takes a few seconds for my brain to fully process what I’m seeing. “Oh my god. You brought me flowers?” I gasp, completely forgetting what I was originally going to say.
He’s holding a bundle of multi-colored carnations in his hand, but that’s not the only thing to catch me off guard.
He’s also wearing black jeans and a dark blue long-sleeve button-up that's rolled at his elbows. I feel severely underdressed now, and I’m going to go ahead and guess he feels just as overdressed, based on the way he winces while taking in my outfit.
He’s even clean-shaven, with his dirty blond hair styled neatly, and he’s clearly wearing scent enhancers.
“They reminded me of you.” He glances down at the bundle, cheeks turning a cute shade of pink. “Didn’t want anyone to see me walking into your building looking like I don’t care,” he quickly explains as he looks back up at me. I nibble my bottom lip, watching him shift from one foot to the other.
“This is super awkward,” I murmur. Which isn’t going to convince anyone that we’re in a serious relationship… “We should have sex.” I blurt, then cover my mouth with my hand, eyes wide as I shake my head. “No, wait.” I wince, cringing so hard I want to disappear into my walls. “I didn’t—I don’t…”
“Maybe we should take it slow. Get used to each other while we talk. Start with a kiss before we jump straight into sex,” Benson offers, placing the bundle of flowers down on my kitchen counter as he walks further into my apartment.
“Yeah, I panicked and just blurted that out. I don’t think sex would be a good place to start.” I chuckle, still awkward as hell. “Wine?” I offer, but he shakes his head.
“I’m okay right now.”
Rather than reaching for the bottle of dry red, I grab an energy drink. Maybe a stimulant will help. I crack it open and chug half before leading Benson into my living room.
“Come here,” he says, taking the can from my hand and placing it on my coffee table before pulling me in for a hug. “We need to get used to each other.”
I wrap my arms around his middle, shaking like a leaf as I take in his scent. Snow frosted Christmas trees with a bite of cinnamon. Crisp and mouthwatering. Am I drooling?
“You need to hold me like you don’t want to be anywhere else but in my arms,” Benson whispers, making my head spin, and I almost lick his chest.
Maybe this won’t be so hard, because I feel like that's exactly how I’m holding him right now.
“And you? How will you hold me?” I ask, heat burning in my veins as I look up at the alpha. The way he stares down at me feels so fucking real that I lose myself to the feeling of being wanted. I haven’t been with anyone since Kai. Haven’t been held like this in years.
Deep breaths, Plum.
“Like you’re the center of my world. That my every waking thought revolves around you and how to keep you for the rest of our lives,” he growls, sounding so sincere it sends a shiver across my skin.
Holy shit. He’s so convincing. I can't even remember what was on my mental list for us to talk over when he speaks to me like that.
“Wow.” My lips part in surprise as I meet his gaze, fighting the urge to hide from the intimacy. “You’re really good at this,” I blurt, then frown as my mind starts spinning. Has he done this a lot? Faked his feelings for other omegas?
“Am I? Or are you just really good at making me feel comfortable, Sugarplum?” he asks, tilting his head and leaning in slowly. Just before our lips touch, he moves to my throat, pressing a soft kiss there instead.
“It’s definitely you,” I whisper, and when he drags his teeth over my earlobe, I gasp. “I’m a little starved for intimacy…” I murmur, not wanting to admit just how badly. I don’t want him to think I’m pathetic. “It’s been a long time,” I add, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“That’s okay, I’m a virgin,” he says, pulling away and winking at me.
I roll my eyes and push away from him. “Don’t tease me.”
I huff, reaching for my drink, finishing it off in one go. Though I’m not sure an energy drink was the best choice for calming my nerves…
“Oh? But you’re so fun to tease.” He grins as he takes a seat beside me on the couch.
“Focus.” I lift my chin and turn to face him fully, tucking my legs under me on the couch. We’re separated by a cushion, and when he realizes I’m not getting any closer, he moves until I’m tucked between his body and the armrest.
“I’d tell you to straddle me, but I don’t think you can handle the distraction, Sweet Plum,” he taunts, using the nickname he must have heard Kai use at the bar. I would be mad, but maybe if he uses it, it won’t affect me as much when Kai does.