Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Riley
Sage is a delight to spoil. She’s open to pretty much anything, and when it comes to sweets, she’s not picky at all. After the coffee shop, we stop at the bakery across the street and I buy us an assortment of pastries.
I pull out a chair for her on the outdoor patio and bow from the waist with my hand out, gesturing for her to sit.
“M’lady,” I say, grinning when Sage laughs, tiny crinkles forming along her sparkling brown eyes.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Yep.” I grin, sitting next to her instead of across the table so we can share the pastries. And so I can be closer to her. I point as I name each one.
“Raspberry tart, chocolate chip croissant, banana bread, zucchini bread—my favorite, pistachio macarons, and lemon macarons.”
She immediately reaches for a lemon macaron and a little thrill zips up my spine. She takes a tentative nibble, and I try not to stare but I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for her reaction.
“Mmm!” Her entire face lights up with surprise and she pulls back to inspect the macaron, then takes a second bite. “This is so good, it tastes like how I imagine you would.”
My cock is half hard in my pants and those words do not help the situation.
“You’ve imagined how I taste?” I lick my lips and wink at her, realizing she might be embarrassed by that admission.
Her cheeks darken and she looks down, but before I can say anything further, her eyes peek up at me through dark lashes. She bites her lip as her eyes dart to my mouth.
“I’ve thought about how you taste, too, pretty Sage.” I wish I could purr, I’m so pleased with how this date is going so far.
My next breath is laced with her lavender vanilla as it perfumes into the air around us and I have to stifle a moan. She smells so freaking good.
I gotta cut this off before I devour her right here and now.
“Try this one,” I say, passing her a pink macaron next.
We devour the entire box, and then I realize we probably should have saved some for Brooks. He’s across the street, sitting on a bench with one ankle propped on the opposite knee as he surveys the street around us.
“He’s such a good alpha daddy watchdog,” I comment.
Sage snorts, shooting bread crumbs across the table as she nearly chokes. She coughs, one hand going to her throat as she fluctuates between laughing and coughing, her face turning adorably pink.
“Oops,” I say with a smirk, passing her my still-full glass of water. Across the street, Brooks stands up, alarm crossing his face.
“Careful there. Alpha daddy watchdog is about to bust a nut worrying over you.”
Sage coughs again, pounding a hand on her chest, then takes a long gulp of water.
“Oh my god,” she finally says between gasps. “I wish he had heard you say that.”
I grin so wide it hurts. “That can certainly be arranged. Just for you, my favorite omega.”
Brooks wasn’t able to hold himself back, and he’s striding up to us as we stand from the table.
“Sage, are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” she says, glancing at me with a giggle.
He narrows his eyes at me. I laugh, snagging her hand and pulling her with me. Then I flatten my other hand and stroke my palm across his broad chest as I flounce by him.
“Stop worrying so much, alpha daddy. She’s fine!”
He splutters behind us, and we giggle our way into the bookshop next door. I decide it’s too soon to introduce her to my brand of monster romance, but I make a note to see how pink her cheeks turn when I drag her in here next time.
The entire morning is delightful. We meander around the antique shop. We go in and out of the locally handmade store and candle store. A clothing boutique is next, and I pull Sage inside.
“We don’t have to get anything if you don’t want, but we might as well look while we’re here. Right?” I say. “What colors do you like?”
“I’m not sure,” Sage says, and I can sense she’s close to shutting down. Her eyes are wide, fingers twisted together, and if I could feel her scent I’d describe it as spikey. I know she wants new clothes, though, so I scramble to figure out how I can make this as easy for her as possible.
“That’s okay. Let’s start with what you don’t like.”
“Pastels. Skirts and dresses. Ruffles and frills.”
“Got it.”
I snag a violet silk blouse, a black knitted crop top, some linen shorts, and a bright blue t-shirt that says “MI is where I want to bee” on it, with a bunch of wildflowers in the shape of the mitten.
She tries them on, discarding the violet top and the blue t-shirt. When she comes out in the black cropped top, she looks hesitant but hopeful.
I whistle and step forward to take her hand in mine, raising it and twirling her in a circle.
“Check you out, sexy little omega,” I say, biting my lip.
She grins, turning to look at herself in the big mirror next to us.
“You think so?”
“Hell yeah. I love it. But then, I’d probably like anything on you.”
“That’s almost exactly what Brooks said,” she grumbles.
I shrug. “Man’s got good taste.”
“What about the shorts?”
“They look great. Are they comfy?”
She nods, still eyeing herself in the mirror as she twists and turns.
“Let’s get them. Want to wear them out? I can pay and have them take the tags off.”
“Nah, I like wearing your shirt,” she says.
I have to fight not to let those words go straight to my cock. It’s been a struggle all day. Watching her eat, laugh, light up and relax. She’s stunning, and I’m enjoying every part of her sweet personality she’s letting come out of that shell she’s been hiding it in.
“I had one last stop in mind,” I say as we leave the clothing store. “You feeling up for it?”
“Yeah, I think so,” she says.
We cross the next street and veer into the candy shop. I have no regrets about getting us both hopped up on caffeine and sugar. Vee can punish me later if she wants to, although Brooks might not know what hit him.