Chapter Twelve
Sovann
I couldn’t have torn my gaze away from her if I’d wanted to. Which I did not.
Earlier, our day had been all but made and ruined all at once. We’d met our fated. Our omega. Our scent-match and soul mate.
And then she turned us down flat for a date.
Downtrodden and on the verge of giving up, I found some hope when we came out and saw that she’d arrived at The Alibi with the friend from the diner.
Now, she danced with Orin in the center of the darkened bar. A slow jazz tune resounded low, just loud enough to be able to dance to and carry on a conversation at the same time.
She laughed at something eh said and then they sat down at the table where she and her friend were once having drinks. Her friend was still dancing.
A few minutes later, her friend and the man she’d been dancing with left together.
That was the second time the friend abandoned her. Not judging, but also judging.
I promised myself that I would give her one song to rest and then it was my turn. The thought of my woman in my arms was almost too much to bear. The bar counter was cleaner than it ever had been, thanks to my taking out my extra energy on its sheen.
While they talked, I served drinks and, eventually, Altan went to sit with them as well. Even under the dim red lights of the bar, I could see the heat in her cheeks as she laughed at something they said.
Her scent was more potent than ever. As midnight passed and we entered the wee small hours, the customers filtered out, followed by the staff, until there was no one there but the four of us and Orin’s bartender. But soon, he winked at us and left for the night, not even muttering a goodbye.
“I think it’s time for me to go,” Hema said, and my stomach clenched.
No, no, no. I hadn’t had my dance yet.
“Let’s make a deal,” I said, standing up and offering my hand. “One more dance and then we’ll walk you home.”
She served me a stink eye. “Sovann.”
Goddess, I loved how she said my name. Her lips were pouty, and her voice dropped an octave. All breathy and sexy.
Only three drinks in. Noted. One or two more, and I would call her over the edge from tipsy to drunk. Or maybe not. Shifters usually had more tolerance, but she didn’t drink as if she did it often. But I would assume she was not to be trifled with, just in case.
I put my palms out. “Absolute gentlemen, I swear. Walk you to your door and make sure you get home safe. No strings.”
She scoffed. “There’s always strings with alphas and shifters.”
“Not with us. I’d love for there to be strings one day but tonight. I just want to dance and then see you home safely.”
“One dance.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Orin got up and put on a sweet and sultry instrumental. We moved to the center of the dance floor and, despite her cool words and standoffish nature, she melted into my embrace.
“If you were a flower, which one would you be?” I asked, wanting to hear her talk. Feel her breath fanning over my skin. If I was blessed enough, listen to her laugh.
I moved my hand a bit lower on her back. She didn’t flinch.
She laughed. One objective complete. “Damn, that’s one I’ve never been asked. I actually have no idea.”
“Something dangerous and beautiful at the same time,” I offered and pulled her a bit tighter. She whimpered slightly but allowed it. Our bodies were flush as we swayed to the music, our mouths nearly touching. Above the music, the thump of her heartbeat picked up.
Good. At least I wasn’t the only one affected by her touch.
“You think I’m dangerous?”
“You could be. To us. To me. But most definitely beautiful.”
Altan and Orin went about cleaning the place up, giving us a bit of privacy. “Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Tell me what brought you to Pleasant,” I prompted. I wanted to know everything but had to pace myself. Pummeling her with nosy questions might spook her again.
She sighed. “Not yet, okay? I have things tucked next to my heart, and I’m not ready to reveal them. Things that hurt. It’s painful talking about them.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, leaning forward, allowing my lips to graze the rim of her ear. “Keep your secrets safe if it makes you feel better. I didn’t mean to…”
“There’s no way you could’ve known. It’s okay.” Her jaw worked next to mine. Her sweet voice in my ear. If I could stay this way forever, I would. Holding her close, her body moving with mine.
“What’s your favorite dessert? I make one hell of a dark-chocolate brownie.”
Her body shook with laughter. “Now, that’s a conversation I can get behind.”
We shifted positions until we were in a hugging position. I rubbed circles on her back, and she played with the hair at the back of my neck. Goose bumps broke out along my skin.
“You like that, don’t you, Sovann? Me touching your hair?”
“I do. It’s been a long time since I’ve been close to someone like this. And you didn’t answer the question.”
She moved her head slightly and pressed her nose to my neck. Inhaling deeply. Taking in the scent of her alpha.
“Behave.” I let out a bit of alpha power, lightly swatting her behind.
“I can’t help it. You smell so good. All of you do. Like chocolate and cherries and something else I can’t name. Dark chocolate and cherries are my favorite. Any dessert with those things is a guaranteed like from me.”
“That gives me ideas.”
She pulled back to look at me. “Yeah, I’m getting ideas too.” She let out a big sigh. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night. Too many ideas.”
Her perfume kicked up, punching me in the gut. I could guess what those ideas were.
“Let’s walk her home, boys,” I called out. “The omega is ready to go home.”
Her blue eyes searched mine. “You keep surprising me.”
“In a good way?”
She nodded, her eyes drooping by the second. “I think so.”
We walked her the short distance to her apartment. and Orin followed her up the stairs. After she went in, he knocked, reminding her to lock the door. He then stayed and listened, making sure she did.
The last thing in the fucking world I wanted to do was leave her alone, unprotected, but what choice did we have?
None. At least, not yet.