Chapter 10
I check my phone for the third time, worry creasing my brows as I shiver in the chilly autumn wind. Lainey was supposed to meet me at this coffee shop fifteen minutes ago, but she’s nowhere to be found. Just as I type in my password, determined to call and get proof of life, a text pops up.
Lainey
I am so so SO sorry, Posey. Something came up and I won’t make our coffee date. Raincheck? I promise I’ll explain later.
Part of me is disappointed, but a larger part of me is concerned. Being late has kind of been Lainey's thing since I met her, but it’s not like her to just bail. I’m sure she has a good reason.
Me
Girl it’s fine! Do you need anything?
Lainey
No but thank you. I might be out for a few days, so let’s plan to catch up when I get back?
Me
Of course. Miss you, Lainey Loo!
Lainey
Miss you back, Rosie Posey!
When I look up from my phone, my body freezes as my eyes land on one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen.
He is jaw-droppingly handsome. Light blond hair, piercing blue eyes, with a lean body and smooth stride that make me wonder if he’s a runway model or something.
He’s wearing a deep green hoodie that complements his pale skin and eyes with light wash jeans that hug his thighs perfectly and a worn pair of white sneakers.
Saliva pools in my mouth, and the closer he gets to the spot where I’m standing, the more my mouth waters. I don’t understand why until the wind shifts and carries his scent to me.
He’s an alpha, and he smells like saltwater taffy.
A barely audible purr starts in my chest, startling me as I stare at the stranger with wide eyes.
I’ve never made that sound before, but my omega is exceedingly pleased with herself and begging me to tackle this alpha so we can bury our nose in his throat.
The way his scent has invaded my senses, wrapping them in a soothing yet sensual embrace, niggles at something in the back of my mind Mama told me years ago.
But then he looks directly at me, and all thought flies right out of my brain.
Our eyes connect just as he trips over his own feet, barely catching himself on one of the unoccupied red metal chairs in front of the shop.
I lurch forward without thinking, wrapping my hands around his forearm.
“Are you okay?” My voice is breathless, but the purr has stopped, saving me from further mortification since I just practically accosted this strange alpha.
His nostrils are flaring, pupils dilating the longer we share space.
His chest rattles with a gentle purr and he absentmindedly rubs a hand over his sternum like he’s confused.
After another deep breath, he clears his throat and looks away as a pink flush covers his cheeks. “I’m, um. I’m fine. Sorry about that.”
God, his voice. It’s warm and soft, instantly putting me at ease.
I feel an incessant need spiraling through my mind to know everything about this man with the sugary sweet scent and adorably shy attitude.
“Don’t be.” I quickly realize my fingers have been caressing his arm and pull back, mortified.
He looks even more embarrassed than before and clears his throat again.
“Were you going in?” He asks quietly, pointing to the door.
I nod. “I might as well. My date had to cancel and I could use the caffeine. I have so much work I’m trying to catch up on and after a while my eyes get blurry from concentrating for so long.
So I thought maybe a walk and coffee would wake me up so I can finish.
” I ramble on, but there’s an immediate shift in the alphas demeanor.
It’s subtle, but from the way his scent takes a nosedive and his shoulders tense, I panic, thinking maybe I’ve upset him somehow.
“Date? Is your boyfriend going to be upset if my scent is on you?” He nods to my hands and the sleeve of my sweater where I was just touching him.
Boyfriend? Why would…
“Oh, I don’t have a boyfriend,” I laugh bashfully. “I was meeting my best friend for a coffee date and she had some sort of emergency and bailed at the last second.”
His whole body sags, something like relief filling his eyes as his scent sweetens again.
“Oh, right on. Well, after you then.” He opens the door for me, and I feel his hand hovering over my back as he guides me in.
It takes every ounce of self control I have not to swoon, but I’m quickly distracted because finally stepping into the local coffee shop Sugar & Spice is like being wrapped in a warm hug.
The air is thick with the smell of coffee and baked goods, making my mouth water for the second time in as many minutes, and the atmosphere is like stepping into a valentines world.
The shop itself is painted in shades of pink and white, and there is red furniture and accents everywhere.
It’s like someone took the Valentine mailbox I made in third grade and turned it into a coffee shop with delicious looking pastries.
The alpha moves to step away but glances back at me with what I find myself hoping is longing in his eyes, and I’m struck by the realization I don’t want him to leave. Placing my hand back on his arm, I smile. “If you don’t have anywhere to be, would you maybe want to sit with me for a bit?”
His eyes widen like he wasn’t expecting that, and my chest tightens with the fear I’m about to be rejected. But he surprises me by biting his lip to hold back a smile. “I’d like that.”
I hold out my hand, silently cursing my southern upbringing for the overly formal gesture. “My name is Primrose, but everyone calls me Posey.”
The handsome alphas grin widens as he puts his hand in mine, squeezing lightly. “Paxton. It’s nice to meet you, Posey.”
I can’t help it, I beam. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
There’s a short line of people in front of us, but Paxton takes the opportunity to ask me rapid-fire get to know you questions, answering each one in kind so the conversation doesn’t feel one sided.
“What’s your full name?”
“Primrose Evelyn Hale.”
He smiles. “I love that. Mine is Paxton Oliver Avery.”
“That’s a nice name.” A blush heats my cheeks with the way his intense stare stays locked on mine.
He still seems kind of shy, but he also keeps drifting closer every few seconds so our arms brush against each other.
It’s almost like he can’t help himself, and it’s a powerful feeling, thinking I might be affecting this stunning alpha in any way.
“Are you a first year?”
I nod. “I just started this week, actually. I missed the first week and already feel like I’m playing catch-up.”
He hums, placing a hand on my upper arm and rubbing soothingly before catching himself and pulling away like he didn’t mean to do it. “If you need any help or a study partner, I’m available anytime.”
My teeth dig into my lower lip, a sudden urge to squeal overtaking me.
“I might need your number to get ahold of you.” It’s the first time I’ve ever asked for a guy’s number, and I’m honestly really proud of myself for being so bold.
I remember Maisie telling me she had to do the same with her alphas, and I make a mental note to call her soon to fill her in on everything.
Paxton’s face lights up and he bounces on his toes, which is extremely adorable. “Right, yeah, of course. Here.” He hands me his phone that I didn’t even notice he had pulled out. It’s got a pretty green case on it that depicts different leafy plants and succulents, and I love it.
The barista calls us forward just as I hit save and Paxton grins brightly, gesturing for me to order. But when I pull out my wallet to pay, he slides in front of me to order his drink before slipping his card into the reader and glancing over his shoulder with a wink that has my knees going wobbly.
My body flushes, slick leaking out of me, and I thank past me for remembering to wear extra thick panties today, especially when Pax leads me to a chair and says, “I’ll wait for our drinks. I want you to go sit your cute butt down and I’ll be right there.”
And because apparently my body is bypassing my brain, I do exactly what he asks without complaint.
There’s something about this alpha and his scent that is driving my omega wild, but I just can’t put my finger on it. Maybe a little more time basking in his presence will help.
As soon as he comes back to the table, he dives back into his questioning. “So tell me about yourself, Posey.”
Having this unfairly attractive alpha’s attention focused solely on me is a heady feeling I could easily get used to. “There’s not much to know, really. I’m kind of boring,” I laugh, self-deprecation lacing my words.
Paxton’s head tilts, something wild flashing briefly in his eyes. “Don’t say that about yourself. You don’t have to be Laura Croft to be interesting.”
The tomb raider reference makes me laugh for real, and he grins shyly.
“Alright, alright.” I concede, dropping my chin into my hand.
“I’m from a tiny little town in Georgia and come from a very stable, loving, if not overbearing, family.
I crochet for fun in my spare time and I like fun home decor. ”
He chuckles. “I thought I heard an accent. Fun home decor?”
“You should see my apartment,” I exclaim, slapping my hands down on my table. “I have a pink couch, disco balls on my ceiling, and a bed frame shaped like a cloud. And that’s just a couple of my recent finds.”
Paxton’s eyes burn. “I’ll come see your apartment any time you want, sweetheart.”
I swoon in my seat, words once again escaping me. We’ve somehow gone from me making the first move to Paxton turning me into a horny puddle of omega, and I’m not sure how it happened.
Something tells me this alpha is nowhere near as innocent as he seems, and I for one cannot wait to find out what’s hiding beneath that golden boy exterior.