CHAPTER 5
“Don’t you want me like I want you, baby?”
Everett
The evening was a disaster, an absolute bust. Okay, so calling it a disaster is slightly dramatic, but I had such high hopes.
The event last night had attracted damn near the entire city.
Yet, my mate was nowhere to be seen. At one point I caught a delicious scent, felt a distant tug, but as quick as it appeared, it disappeared.
I circled that bar until my feet hurt before giving up and slunking home disappointed.
Jack had been awake when I got home, but thankfully he read the look on my face and knew instantly that the night hadn’t gone as I had hoped. Thankfully, he was considerate enough not to ask questions or poke fun at me. Just gave me a commiserating smile and returned to his studies.
After a restless sleep fighting the negativity that kept trying to creep into my mind, I woke up and manifested extra hard this morning before getting ready for work.
Being back in my happy place today is chasing away all the discouraging thoughts that still linger at the edge of my mind.
I refuse to believe that not finding my mate last night lends to the possibility that all my manifesting has been a waste of time.
I’m alone in the kitchen of The Rainy Day cafe at five am with the sun rising through the windows as the city wiped the sleep from its eyes in preparation for a new day.
I have my favorite album playing from the speaker on the side, filling the silence in the background as I prepare today's goods for the cafe.
I'm blissfully surrounded by the smell of freshly baked breads and smooth colourful buttercream frosting.
Being here never fails to brighten my mood.
I've wondered more than once if the Fae couple that own Rainy Day have spelled the place to ensure that all those who enter feel a sense of calm positivity while under its roof.
I have no proof of course, and I would never dare to ask, but I kind of like the idea of that.
Or maybe I’m completely off base and it's simply the sky blue walls and rainbow sun catchers dangling from the ceiling in front of the double wide window in the main area just make people smile. I’d like to think my treats add to the happiness the cafe promotes.
I’ve never had any customer complaints. The opposite, in fact.
More than once I’ve been asked to prepare cupcakes and cookies for outside catering orders.
Generally, I aim to be finished and have kitchen reset so I can be out of the cafe before it opens to the public. Once the staff arrive to open up for the day all I have to do is explain what is available and any allergy warnings attached. Then I am free to leave and carry on with my day.
Which usually means rushing off to shower and change before class. This morning, however, with no class to attend on a Saturday, I hesitate as Riley arrived for his shift. I wouldn’t say we are best friends or anything, but I like Riley. He's a good guy.
This morning, his long ebony hair tied back in its signature braid pulled over his left shoulder, eyeliner precise in a way I could never hope to achieve, and looking hawt with a capital H at six am.
The guy is an enigma, that's for sure, but his innate good looks and incredible makeup skills aren’t all there is to him.
I can tell he’s deeper than he lets others see.
He plays the flirty barista very well, but it’s not hard to see it’s an act.
I can’t be sure, but I don't think he has any family in Valleywood. He mentioned once that he’s only been in the city for a few years and any attempt at conversations about his past is either shut down or re-directed.
The only thing I know for sure is that he’s a raven shifter.
“There are bears and squirrels on your shirt.” I point out as Riley steps behind the counter for the morning briefing.
I mean, it's a completely unnecessary thing for me to say, obviously he knows what's on his shirt, but it made me smile.
“I love that, where did you get it?” I ask.
His response is disrupted by the bell over the door jingling.
Which is unexpected and startles both of us.
Riley usually keeps it locked until opening time to prevent any caffeine addicts following him inside and bugging him relentlessly for their fix.
There isn't anybody else due on shift as far as I know, and given that Riley looks as confused as I do, nobody should be here.
There’s a clear view from the counter to the door, but Riley has his back to the door and his frame is blocking my line of sight, meaning we are stuck momentarily exchanging pleading looks, each of us asking with our eyes for the other to deal with the intruder.
“Together?” I whisper feeling the awkward silence like a physical weight on my chest. He nods and we turn in tandem.
A massive frame fills the doorway. Denim clad thighs as thick tree trunks leading up to a torso that even with an eighties rock band covering it appeared carved from marble.
My eyes are dancing all over this stranger who is just standing there, blocking the entry.
His shoulder-length brown hair rests on his shoulders and almost blends into his full beard.
Lumberjack hotness has nothing on this guy. He’s even wearing a flannel shirt.
My jaw has become unhinged and is currently resting on the floor between my feet with my tongue lolling out.
I’m so awestruck by him it takes my breath away, literally.
When I finally suck in much-needed air, I’m assaulted by the most incredible scent.
Roasted walnuts dipped in chocolate. Instinctively my hand goes to my right pocket with my somewhat shiny nuts.
No, the scent can’t be coming from them.
I’ve been carrying them for weeks. It takes an undetermined amount of time staring at the man before my eyes widen in realisation.
“Mate.” His deep growl reverberates off every wall in the cafe before traveling down my spine and right between my legs. Slick instantly starts to leak, and my squirrel who is usually running around my mind like he has a million things to do, is standing stock still, mirroring my shocked stance.
“Mate.” I finally mutter under my breath, more to myself than anybody else. I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact I’ve actually manifested my mate. He’s standing right in front of me. Everything I’ve ever wanted, and I didn’t even have to hunt the world to find him. He came to me. My mate.
“Oh shit, you two need to leave before your pheromones send me into heat.” Riley mutters, starting to push on my shoulders to get me moving toward the door and my mate.
I feel like I’m having an out of body experience right now.
My mind is detached from my body. I can’t force my feet to work no matter how much I want them to.
A low, menacing growl halts Riley in his tracks, making him lift both hands into the air.
“Alright big guy, take your mate.” He advises, wisely taking several steps back.
The heat from my mate’s gaze has me looking down to make sure that my clothes haven’t melted off.
I realise then that my mate is a bear shifter, and all I want to do is take to my fur and run up his legs to sit on his head.
Well, that’s not all I want to do to him, but considering we haven’t even exchanged names yet I should probably keep things PG, especially in my place of employment.
Probably thinking I’m a mute and incapable of verbalising consent, my mate steps forward, hand outstretched, and eyes with a gentle pleading gaze for me to trust him. He must be mistaking my shock for apprehension, and that just won’t do.
Bending my knees, I jump forward and throw my whole body into his arms, causing him to stumble before catching me with large hands around my thighs. He’s like my very own sturdy tree, with nuts I seriously can't wait to play with.
“What took you so long?” I ask, a smile spreading across my face before I slam my mouth against his, swallowing his grunt of surprise.
You know how people say they could hear angels sing at a moment of pure ecstasy, like divine intervention was the only explanation for the utter euphoria they are feeling?
Well, that's what's happening right now.
Lips parting, I get the first taste of my mate, and I swear, I hear those angels harmonizing with my moan.
My thighs tighten around his waist and my fingers find their way into his hair, long and silky soft, a direct contrast to the scratch of his beard against my cheek.
“I am so fucking serious right now, you both need to leave, I can smell your slick from here, Ev.” Riley's frustrated voice breaks through the spell we’re under, along with the bristles of the shop broom poking me in the back.
I turn just in time to see him slip into the kitchen, broom in hand.
A laugh bubbles up my throat at the way he seems to scurry away as if he’s scared he’s going to catch stray feelings just being close to us.
“Ev? Is that your name?” My mate asks, drawing me back to take in his handsome face up close .
His full lips are swollen from our kisses, a flush to his cheeks with strands of hair falling haphazardly around his face.
Eyes so dark I can practically see my reflection in them.
There are subtle smile lines at the corners that do nothing to distract from his beauty, they actually enhance it.
Realising belatedly that he asked me a question, I nod. “Everett,” I reply, my voice quivering with a mixture of nerves and adrenaline.
I’m not sure why I feel the need to correct him, almost everybody calls me Ev. He’s not just anybody though, he’s my mate. It seems to make him smile
“Nice to meet you Everett, would you like to come to lunch with me?” He asks softly as his large hand traces patterns along my back before lowering me gently to my feet.
I have barely a moment to feel bereaved by the loss of his touch when he leans forward, nuzzling against my neck as he inhales deeply.
A rumble not unlike a purr starts in his chest, making me smile.
“I would love to...” I agree, pausing for my mate to give me his name.
“Henry,” he says simply, and I swear my stomach swoops because neither of us have broken eye contact yet, making everything more intense.
Riley isn’t wrong either, the musky scent of arousal is thick in the air.
Which makes Henry's offer to take me to lunch even more adorable. The man is verging on a rut, yet he is still being a gentleman. That tells me he has morals. He isn’t going to demand I bend over and present for him.
“It’s great to finally meet you Henry, I’ve been waiting for you.” I tell him honestly.
“I hope I was worth the wait, sweetheart.” He tells me and finally steps back, putting just enough distance between us to give my brain a breath of fresh air and allow my neurons to actually connect.
“How about you give me your address and I can pick you up at noon. I’ll grab us some lunch and we can take it to the park, have our own little picnic. Get to know each other.”
My face leans into his hand when he reaches up to stroke my cheek. “That sounds wonderful, you can meet me here, I don't live far, but let me make us lunch. I want to feed my Alpha.” That seemed to please him if the rumbling growl that comes from him is anything to go by.
“You are perfect, my Omega.” He tells me, dropping one last kiss to my cheek before walking backward and somewhat reluctantly leaving the cafe.