by Ava Beringer
“Excellent point. Did you hear that, Colby?” Buster asked. “All signs point to yes with this guy. When he’s in here, all his focus is on you. He doesn’t even see us, and I’m the frickin’ Mona Lisa.” Clarke flicked Buster’s bright sleeve.
“More like ‘The Scream’,” he quipped. I stared hard at the completed centerpiece in my hand, focusing as I adjusted it in the tall, slender crystal vase.
“You’re right, Miguel. There’s always that feeling you’re getting set up for something.”
“Like sexy sex?” Buster said. “Fall into his trap, child!”
“He just seems too good to be true. He’s going to walk out of my life tonight.” Miguel stopped what he was doing and rested his hands on the table.
“Colby, you don’t know that. Long distance can work. It can. Miracles happen. I know that all too well.”
“I’m not like you, Miguel. You’re, you’re…”
“Devilishly handsome and charismatic? Why, thank you.” Miguel framed his face with his hands like he was vogue-ing.
“It’s only been two and a half days. That’s not enough to make any real connection.” Miguel shook his head and sighed, disappointed in me.
“You sell yourself short, honey. You’re a joy to be around and you’re a hot little piece. I would totally tap that.” Once he had me smiling, he pressed on. “Take a chance, Colby. Open up just a little. Yeah, love and marriage and tons of babies are a long shot, so why not start at the beginning and take things one step at a time? Even if things don’t work out, what if you enjoyed each other for a little while? What an experience to last a lifetime. What a story to tell your nosy, gossipy, sex-starved friends.” He pointed all around the table.
“Hey, speak for your- well, not yourself, you and Hunter go at it like rabbits,” Clarke said.
“He’s never brought up anything beyond today,” I argued. “Nothing about keeping in touch once he’s back in Chicago or seeing each other again.” Gabe shrugged.
“Maybe he’s afraid to, just like you. Just ‘cause he’s a big powerful alpha doesn’t mean it’s easy to show his heart,” he said.
“I’m just saying,” Miguel continued, “you only live once. You might think running away is protecting your heart, but in this life, we’re gonna get hurt anyway. We might as well go after what we want. Sometimes we actually get it. Why not try? You might win.” I stood there for a moment, taking it all to heart. I checked the rose-shaped clock high on the wall. It was close to my lunch break.
I looked down at the table and mumbled, “He’s taking me to lunch today.” That caused an uproar.
“Is that why it feels like a bonfire standing next to you?” Gabe asked, fanning me with a hand. I swatted it down and he hugged me.
“Look at our baby. All grown up and bringing rich, hot alphas to their knees. I’m so proud,” Buster said as he pretended to wipe at a tear.
They ribbed me throughout the day, from finishing the flower arrangements to opening the store to selling bouquets and baked goods during the early lunch rush. I was so focused on a “get well soon” order, I barely heard the door chime. I had no idea it was for me until the scent hit me. Preston. I froze in place.
I took him in. He was as debonair as ever, in his suit and tie with his hands in his pockets, wearing a sexy smile just for me. My friends squawked like chickens when they saw him, but I could barely hear them. They were right about one thing; all his focus was on me. Mine was solely on him, and the world fell away from us.
I finished up the order as Preston approached the counter. We took a moment to just gaze at each other.
“It’s good to see you, Colby. You look great,” he said.
“Hi,” I replied. So eloquent.
“Ready?”
“Am I ever,” Gabe said from behind me. He stood with a hip poked out and a salacious grin on his face.
“I’m getting you out of here now,” I said as everybody laughed. Miguel slapped a hand on the counter.
“Hey Preston.” Preston looked back at him. “You got him for the rest of the day.”
“Really? I’m done?” I said.
“Yup.” Miguel popped the “p”. “See you tomorrow, Colby. I think. Do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. Now scram.” Miguel shooed us with both hands. Behind us I heard Ginger scolding him.
“Now, Miguel, you know you’d do pretty much anything…”
Preston held the door for me, guiding me out with a hand on my back.
“You smell amazing,” he whispered in my ear as I breezed past. He made me feel so hot. Really, I was burning up. Did I have a fever?
“Thank you. Now feed me.”
“You’re so cute.” He dropped another kiss on my cheek. I thought I couldn’t smile any harder, but I did. He took my hand. “Come on. We’re going right around the corner.” I swung our hands just a little as we walked, enjoying his touch.
I laughed when I saw the sign.
“Primrose Throwaway? I love this place. You do dives?” Preston snorted.
“I can do dives.” I gave him a look. “What?” I looked him up and down slowly, nodding at his business attire. “Are you checking me out?” I giggled.
“Maybe.” Preston pulled off his suit jacket, undid his shirt cuffs, and rolled up his sleeves. He loosened his tie, tousled his hair, and unbuttoned the top button on his dress shirt.
“I can do dives, see?” I giggled again.
“Now you just look like you have a nagging house-omega and you’re desperate for happy hour.” Preston threw back his head and laughed. It was a loud, robust sound and I could spend eternity listening to it. I wanted to spend eternity listening to it, and that was a dangerous thought.
We sat outside on the graying, warped wood patio that was somewhat brightened with red geraniums.
“The patio fits the vibe, right?” Preston asked, stomping on the old planks.
“Looks like it’s made from eighteenth-century driftwood, right? Call Jack Sparrow, we found the Black Pearl.”
The beer was cheap and cold, the food deep fried and delicious, and the company was excellent. The conversation flowed like a freshwater spring, pure and sweet, but also flirty and funny. Preston told me story after story of his harebrained ideas and how he was constantly getting himself into a pickle.
“…And that’s how I learned never to play leapfrog on rollerblades.” I laughed so hard beer came up through my nose.
“I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard,” I said as I sponged beer off my shirt with a stack of napkins.
“Good. All I want is to make you happy.” It sounded like something a fairy tale prince would say.
“Preston, you say all these things-”
“And I mean them, Colby. Even if I’m only in your life for a short time.” I took a deep breath. I felt that Preston was telling the truth, but after only two days, I couldn’t let myself believe this was anything more than a fun stop on his business trip. How many omegas had he met on business? How many did he say the same thing to? No one else, my heart said, but my experiences begged to differ.
Preston went on.
“I only have a million stories like that. I was a little hell-raiser. Too bad you fell asleep on me last night, I was gonna tell on myself.” I covered my giggle with a hand.
“I did fall asleep on you last night, huh?” Preston took a piece of bloomin’ onion and flicked it at me.
“You’d think I was boring or something.” Two could play that game. I flicked two pieces at him in quick succession.
“You’d think you woke me up out of my sleep in the middle of the night or something.” One of the onion chips bounced off the tip of his nose and into his beer. I dissolved into laughter as he threw a couple more pieces at me. We had a mini food fight, using half of the huge onion as ammo.
“Think fast!” I said as I tossed another piece at Preston. Preston turned his head and snatched the onion chip out of t
he air with a click of his teeth. I gasped.
“How did you do that?”
“Lots of experience with siblings and cousins who throw things at your head.”
“Do it again.” I tossed another piece at him without warning. He caught that one, too, and the next. “You’re good with your mouth,” I said. Preston grinned.
“You have no idea.” I locked eyes with him, drinking in his appreciative gaze, letting it light a fire within me. I wanted him. Suddenly, I regretted being such a good boy last night.
“We made such a mess,” I said as I looked around at all the orangish-brown breading ground into the carpet. Preston shrugged.
“They can’t tell the difference. There are onions older than me ground into this carpet. We can make bigger, better messes than this.” The innuendo was plain in his voice. It raised my internal temperature. The feeling was similar to my heat, and I wondered briefly if that could be what it was, but I tamped the thought down. Ridiculous.
“It’s too bad you can’t stay over again tonight and, you know, help me get to sleep.” There was innuendo in my voice, too.
Preston reached out and took my hand, interlacing our fingers on the table, stroking with his thumb. It was sensual, intimate, and sexy.
“I hate to leave just as we’re getting to know each other,” he murmured, gazing at our joined hands. “I never met anyone like you who I just connected with, where things just clicked.” His piercing eyes flickered up at me. “Sorry. It probably sounds like I’m feeding you corny lines.” He pulled his hand away. Mine chased after it. Losing his touch, I suddenly felt like a part of my body was cut off. Feeling the smooth glide of his fingertips on mine, I could breathe again. I felt whole.
“It doesn’t sound fake, Preston. For once, it doesn’t sound like a line. I feel the same way, I just wish you didn’t have to leave.”
At that moment, Preston’s pocket vibrated.
“We’re having a moment, phone. Do you mind?” He said to his pocket. To me he said, “Please excuse me, Colby. It might have to do with my flight.” I tensed as he pulled his phone out with his free hand. Please be canceled, please be canceled, please be canceled. Preston cursed and let his head drop back in frustration. I leaned forward, bursting with excitement.
“What is it?”
“My flight’s canceled,” Preston groaned.
“Come home with me,” I burst out. I slapped a hand over my traitorous mouth. Preston’s face flooded with relief.
“Saving my ass again, are you?” He laughed and squeezed my hand tighter. “Check, please,” he called over his shoulder. My fever got stronger. It was probably time to stop denying this wasn’t the beginnings of a heat. I didn’t know what to do about it, but I knew I was bringing Preston Reid back home tonight. Home, with me, where he belonged. Mine.
This is a terrible idea, I thought to myself. I can’t wait!
7
Colby
Preston’s sleeves were still rolled up as he stood at my stove, his arm moving in a circular motion as he stirred the contents of a skillet. The scent of chicken and mushrooms made my mouth water.
“This is nice,” I said as I gazed at my tiny table set up with burning white tea light candles and the daisy bouquet, which still looked lovely. “I feel spoiled.”
“You should be spoiled,” Preston said simply, not looking up from his pan.
“I don’t normally, you know, get this.”
“Why not?”
“The alphas normally don’t care. I never thought I deserved it.” Preston stopped then. He set the wooden spoon down on the counter with a click. In two long strides, he was towering above me. He leaned down and clasped my chin in warm, strong, gentle fingers.
“Colby, I need you to hear me. You’re a loving, kind-hearted, and if I can get away with saying this, sexy omega. Any alpha would be lucky to have you. This is only a piece of what you deserve, the tip of the iceberg. You deserve the world, and your alpha better give it to you.” His face turned stormy, troubled. He turned away then, crossing my tiny kitchen back to the bubbling skillet. I gulped as fire licked at my lower half. Yep, heat. Definitely my heat. Preston’s flight was canceled. I want to spend it with him.
The logical part of my brain said no. Preston was wonderful, and my heart wanted him to be The One way too much after only three days. I was setting myself up to get emotionally crushed. If I got crushed by Preston, there would be no coming back from it. I wanted to believe we had a chance, but getting to know each other and starting a love story long distance? It would be smarter to cut my losses. Easier in the long run.
Tell that to my heart. Tell that to my body. I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat, the pressure against my opening helping to soothe my growing desire. Not for long.
“What, um, what are your plans when you get home?” I asked, keeping my voice light. Preston chuckled.
“Work, work, and more work. My company’s going to do a technology overhaul and a few other things to appease our biggest client. It’ll be good for our overall growth, too. Help us go from mid-sized players to giants.”
I kept my voice even and said, “What about your omega?”
“My omega? What omega?” Preston scoffed like it was ridiculous. I sat forward in my chair.
“You mean to tell me you have no one? Not even any prospects?”
“Maybe this ruins my playboy image, but no, no one. As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking, but I haven’t found the one.”
“What do you look for?” Preston shrugged.
“Someone humble who doesn’t need a lot. Someone with enough spunk to stand up for themselves, but not hardened by the world. Someone who’s caring, sweet, and gentle who I can be vulnerable with. Someone with a slim build, medium height, toned and tight but not a bodybuilder.” He took the skillet off the fire and looked at me. A thrill ran through me.
“You’re looking for a twink?” I said, trying to ease some of the tension. I shifted again, trying not to leak onto my seat. If I did and Preston smelled it, there would be no turning back. He plated the food, washed out the skillet, and set up a quick dessert, some sort of fruit crumble.
“I just figured out I want all those things, after a long time chasing the closed-off, tough types. It’s what I’ve been missing in my life, but I haven’t found them all together in anybody, except you.” His words hung in the silence that followed as we exchanged a meaningful glance. Forget the food, I was hungry for Preston. The food. Puffs of dark smoke rose from the skillet behind him.
“Preston,” I said, pointing. He stifled a yelp and rescued my dishrag from the fire. He threw it on the ground and stomped it out. My rag lay limp and sad on the kitchen floor. We fell out laughing.
“I would say ‘my hero’, but you shouldn’t set my stuff on fire in the first place,” I said.
“I was just doing a little redecorating. Smoky chic is all the rage this fall, or haven’t you heard?”
Screech! Screech! Screech! The fire alarm blared. I slapped my palms over my ears as Preston ran to my front door and opened it, ushering the smoke out. I ran for my shoddy old broom, poking at the little white button on the smoke detector that made it shut up.
“I might die of heatstroke from the busted AC or fall through these rotten old floorboards, but I’ll never get fricasseed in a house fire, that’s for sure.”
The fire snapped me out of it a little. Preston was saying great things, but not much about any plans to talk to me after this trip. It sounded like other alphas when they were “running game”, as Buster said. Still, I had to give Preston the benefit of the doubt. I just had to.
We stood at the stove and ate with our hands, sucking our fingers and giggling like kids. When was the last time I had so much fun? Felt such a connection? It was hot. No, literally. It was hot. It’s a good thing the door was open to let some cool air in.
“We never talked about what you look for in an alpha,” Preston said, licking sticky crumbs off his fingertips. �
�We also need to talk about why on earth you’re single.”
“Well, um, I look for someone who’s strong, who’s protective, but who’s also open and loving. Someone I can laugh and goof off with, but I want a big family, so I want someone who’s driven and knows how to make the bacon.” Someone like you, is what I didn’t say. Preston blew his breath out between his lips, making a frustrated noise.
“There’s no way alphas aren’t beating down your door.”
“Like you did last night?” I teased. He kept a serious face on.
“Yeah. Like I did last night. Maybe a little less creepy, but that same sort of sentiment.”
“Except you weren’t coming to confess your love for me, you confessed to loving to my couch.” Preston looked at it and grimaced, reaching up to rub his back.
“More like running back to an abusive relationship. Anyway, you were telling me about the suspicious lack of alphas falling down at your feet.” I ducked my head. I was flattered and wasn’t used to getting so much praise. Unless, of course, it was from alphas who wanted to play me for a fool. Preston isn’t like that. He couldn’t be. I did my best to accept the compliment for what it was.
“In my experience alphas make me lots of promises, take what they want, then they’re gone. I’m dreaming of a future with them. A grand romance, right? Who doesn’t want to get swept off their feet? They know exactly what to say to make me fall for it again and again. You’d think I’d wise up by now.” Just like Preston knows what to say, my mind interjected. Yeah, you should wise up. Then, Preston laid a big, warm hand on mine.
“Colby, you’re just a prince waiting on your knight. There’s nothing wrong with wanting the fairy tale. You deserve it. The problem is, there are so many opportunists out there ready and waiting to take advantage of your open heart. It’s not your fault.”
“You’re so right. It’s hard staying open to love when I keep getting cut.” Are you one of the opportunists? Are you setting me up? Conflicting feelings raced through me. My mind brought up bad experience after bad experience and said he was a con-artist. My heart had us as a mated pair already. My body…well, my body was calling for him. Either Preston hadn’t caught on or he was showing miraculous restraint. My emotions overwhelmed me and an errant tear rolled down my cheek. Preston wiped it with a single finger.
