Chapter 6 #2
“Don’t judge me,” I mutter, jogging down the steps and approaching the little girl, and who I imagine is her dad. He’s a little young, but I won’t judge.
They’re sitting just behind the first row of seats, which is close enough for me to keep an eye both on my dog and them.
“Excuse me,” I say, leaning over the empty seats in the first row to speak to them.
“Hi! Ohhh puppy,” the girl whispers. I appreciate the way her voice lowers. Most kids squeal when they see Rufus, and he doesn’t particularly like it.
Her gray green eyes are lit up, and she sits on her hands to keep herself from reaching out. Smart girl. Not all animals are good with people, but Rufus is.
“Do you think you can do me a favor?”
Her dad’s eyes are wide as he gazes at me, and I have to struggle not to look into them for long. They’re pools of blue that remind me of the ocean, and I imagine the shade may change depending on his mood.
He’s even prettier than I first thought and my nostrils flare for a moment. Mm. Yeah, I really like what I’m seeing.
“It depends on the favor,” the girl replies. “What do you need?”
Her dad’s lips twitch in amusement, and I imagine she drives hard bargains. Good. I’d hate to think this girl is a pushover.
“This is Rufus and I’m a performer today. I’m filling in and I wasn’t able to get a pet sitter,” I lie. I don’t like to leave him with just anyone. “Would you like to hang out with him? It’ll just be while I’m on stage and then I’ll come right back. I’m pretty attached to him.”
“Can we, Arlo?” she asks with wide eyes.
Ah. Not the dad it seems. Curious and curiouser. My interest is definitely piqued. This isn’t necessarily a good thing for anyone.
“He looks sleepy,” Arlo murmurs, leaning closer. The breeze pulls his scent toward me and I nearly swoon. Fuck.
Lemon cake. I love everything about it, and I think I just found my newest hyperfixation. The alpha inside of me sits up and growls, and I know this person is about to change my life whether he knows it or not.
He can’t smell me yet with how the breeze is blowing, but that’s for the best. I don’t want to scare him.
“He’ll probably sleep through the performance,” I admit, careful to stand downwind from him. “Rufus was just settling in for a really good nap and I interrupted. Are you two good for hanging out with him?”
“I don’t see why not.” The little girl wiggles in excitement at his agreement, and I can tell she’s screaming on the inside.
She’s absolutely adorable. It also makes me wonder where her father is, because who hangs out with a twenty-something year old simply for shits and giggles.
“I suppose we should introduce ourselves if we’re going to be watching someone so important to you. I’m Arlo and this is Calista.”
“Lennox,” I rumble. “It’s very nice to meet you. Does Calista often call her father by his first name?”
Yeah, I’m fishing for information. I don’t fucking care how pathetic that makes me.
“No. Daddy would have a chick,” Calista says, mangling the idiom adorably.
Arlo hides a smile, shaking his head. “I’m the nanny. Her dad is picking us up later. It looks like they’re almost ready to start.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see my uncle pointing to the time, not that this helps me at all. He never gave me enough details for me to have a clue when this thing begins. Turning back to Calista and Arlo, I place Rufus in the little girl’s lap and hand Arlo his leash.
“He’ll be able to hear me since I’m singing today,” I explain quickly. “It should help keep him asleep.”
“Are you saying you’re going to bore us?” Arlo asks teasingly.
Ooh. He’s flirting. Sweet.
“You’ll have to see for yourself,” I shrug. It’s probably inappropriate for me to tell him I have no fucking idea what I’m singing today. “Thanks for watching Rufus for me. He’s a really good boy.”
Arlo’s irises darken slightly and I smirk before turning away. Yeah, he’s definitely interested.
Heading back up to the stage, I resign myself to my fate.
“Alright,” I sigh heavily, gazing at the men and women wearing brightly colored whimsical outfits. I look like the goth version of these people. Even my braid is more punk than fairy. “I’m here.”
A pixie with sparkles in her blonde hair grins viciously at me, and I know this is going to be bad.
“We’re singing Disney songs, so you’ll just sing along with the crowd,” she explains gleefully. “Nice leather.”
“Thanks,” I grumble, my eyes finding Calista and Arlo as they gently pet Rufus while he sleeps. At least two of us are happy.
I am definitely going to need to cool myself off for many reasons at the beach after this. Rufus loves to bark at the waves, and I need a wave to convince my erection to calm down.
Rock hard at a kids event isn’t one of my finest moments, but what can an alpha do when he meets his scent match?
ARLO
What do they put in the water in California?
My mouth keeps watering despite the little twirls Lennox is doing as he sings after the girl at the front of the group and Calista is grinning from ear to ear as she sings beside me.
It’s sweet, clear, and a little off key. Rufus continues to sleep in her lap, and I allow myself to enjoy the Viking eye candy in front of me. He doesn’t seem the type of alpha to sing songs for children, but then, I’ve never nannied before either.
We do what we have to for money, and I honestly adore Calista. The universe works in very mysterious ways, I’m simply trying to keep my head above water because God, is she fucking fickle.
Mr. March sent me packing with tickets to this event with the promise he’d pick us up. I took a ride share and paid with the new card he gave me for everything Cali-related. That’s how I’m choosing to see this because it’s really fucking weird to have a credit card I suspect has a very high limit.
Calming the anxious bubble the card burning a hole in my pocket gives me, I smirk as I watch Lennox dance. For someone so large, he’s very light on his feet. I can’t help but enjoy everything about him.
I can’t remember the last time I wanted to flirt with someone. There’s so much danger in my life, it’s been a long damn time. I don’t flirt with Mr. March because even I know you don’t shit where you eat. He deserves to come home and know his space is free of bullshit.
Now that he’s traveling more, I find myself hanging out more in the living spaces since I won’t run into him. The omega has big dick energy in a way that rivals alphas. He intimidates me, and I know I could easily end up on my ass despite how kind he’s been to me.
“This is awesome,” Cali says, pressing against my side with a wide smile. I grin in response, loving how much she’s enjoying this.