Page 14 of Gold Rush
“You don’t have to thank me,” he cuts me off quickly, but gently. He adjusts, like he’s keeping his distance as he glances out of the window at the reporters, frowning. “I… I don’t think I knew howbadthose places were.”
Seth scoffs. “Downright fucking inhumane.” His hands move, and then he pulls his jacket tighter around me, flashing me a smile. “You’re lucky I didn’t run after you last night.”
A flush rises on my cheeks. “I don’t think they would have let you in after hours.”
Seth’s answering grin is downright naughty. “Probably not, but I could have caused some chaos.”
I laugh, my lips twitching as I try to fight the smile. It shouldn’t be this easy for him to get a reaction out of me, but each one seems to spur him on.
He leans in closer, his grin growing. “I mean big,hugecommotion.” He nudges me. “I’m talking throwing rocks through those glass walls at the front — who the fuck puts that much glass all over a building meant to keep a low profile, anyway? Stupid.”
I laugh harder, shaking my head at him. “I don’t know, but the main office had street facing windows. That’s all I’ve heard the past two nights — traffic. And it was sobright,” I whine the last word, thankful the car interior is darker.
“That’s a crime.” Seth looks down at me. “I can’t believe they’d risk your beauty sleep like that. It doesn’t seem to have affected you though.”
Scoffing, I lift a hand, pressing it against my cheeks, worried that they’re bright red. For a moment Seth’s gaze flickers down to my lips. The car suddenly feels no bigger than the eye of a pin. His lips part, his tongue appearing as it runs over the plump flesh of his lower lip, and my breath catches as his hand moves, knuckles brushing my cheek.
Then he just pushes my hair back and tilts his head, his smile goofy, the tension breaking apart. “What do you want for lunch? We’ll order something to eat after you get settled.”
I sink into the car seat, unable to stop smiling at the man next to me as he goads me into admitting I’ve had a diet entirely of vending machine snacks for two days straight. The car slows to a stop and Bennett climbs out first, turning immediately to offer me a hand.
It shocks me, but as I glance up at him, I recognize the same look of surprise — like he didn’t even know he was going to do it himself. On auto-pilot, I reach out and take it. The slide of my palm against his sends sparks up my arm, like a continuous zap of static electricity.
Bennett’s grip tightens and hepulls, our chests touching as I’m suddenly upright on the sidewalk, my head tilted, staring at him wide-eyed as a rich, deep vibration travels from his chest all the way down to my hand and up my arm.
He’spurring.
Even though I’ve never heard the deep, contented sound, my body reacts, preening like he’s just given me a deluge of compliments. An alpha’s purr is supposed to comfort stressed out omegas, or show their pleasure with something — like their bodies can’t possibly contain their emotions, whether to comfort or to endear.
And he’s purring because he’s touchingme.
All too quick Bennett steps away. My mind spins as his touch falls away and my bones near-ache from the sudden separation as he steps to the back of the car. I watch as Bennett tugs out my suitcase from the trunk as Seth joins me outside the car.
Seth ushers me up a paved pathway as my eyes rise andrise, taking in the white townhouse.
I can’t tell exactly how many levels it has, but it must be at least three. My brain struggles to act normal as it catalogues the fact they own a home minutes outside of Central London, multi-storied on a quiet stretch of equally luxurious residential properties. The front garden looks professionally manicured with a small stone path on the side that clearly leads to a garage.
I can’t even fathom what a place like this would cost.
Before I can even guess a number, Seth tugs me through the front door. Inside, the marble floor lining the foyer sparkles, stairs leading up, hallways creating offshoots — it’s too much to take in. Seth points out the front rooms quickly — a kitchen, a small living room, a hallway to the back, the mention of the garage — and then he moves us toward the stairs that shoot up to the next level. As he tugs on me gently to get me to follow him, he glances back, his smile wide as he motions to a door on the next level, barely letting me take in the polished wood finishes.
“Bennett and I are in here, and this” — he opens the door across from his and Bennett’s room — “is the guest room — your room.” Seth motions me inside, flipping the lights on. “The bathroom is through there, if you want to wash up.”
I stop in the middle of the room, spinning in a little circle, my head whirling with my body. The walls are a light gray, cool-toned and simple, with a plush bed against one wall. Seth lingers near the door to the hall, looking over at me.
Opening my mouth, I try to formulate an appropriate response — but he only reaches out and takes my hand again, squeezing it.
“Why don’t I order our food and let you settle?”
Nodding slowly, I lick my lips as he lets my hand go, making a beeline for the door. This is all too much — too fast — he can’t justleavewhen he’s the only reason I feelsafefor the first time since leaving my stupid apartment three days ago —
“Seth,wait.” He staggers to a stop as I stare at him, my heart going wild. I clear my throat, trying in vain not to break down in front of him, putting all my gratefulness and overwhelming emotions into my voice instead. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”
Reality crashes down as he hesitates. His long brown hair is slightly unkempt, falling out of the bun on his head, and he levels me with a look that has my stomach flipping.
“My biggest regret is leaving that bar without your name and number. My second biggest regret wasn’t stopping you before you left the coffee shop. Luckily, the universe decided to give me a third chance — and I’m not stupid enough to waste it, June. Go shower, unpack, do whatever you want to do, and I’ll order you food and see you downstairs when you’re ready.”
I let out a surprised breath as he shuts the door behind him, leaving the room.
