We should talk about something else,Storm thought desperately.This is public indecency. I don’t want to scare him away.
He lowered his ice cream to cover his bulge with it.
Linus jerked his gaze back up, flushing to the tips of his ears. “Oh gods. Did you see that?”
“See what?”
Linus whimpered. “Nothing!”
“I’m seeing the irony here,” Storm said dryly, fighting off his blush. “How about we agree never to discuss this again?”
Linus nodded frantically. He rubbed his face, then lowered his hands and twisted his fingers together. “I was going to apologize on my mom’s behalf. She doesn’t usually... harass people like that.”
“It’s okay,” Storm said gently. At least they weren’t talking aboutwhyStorm was here. “I’m glad you’re comfortable around your mom.”
Linus blinked. “You’re... not?” He winced immediately after. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
Storm shrugged. “It’s fine. I fucked up with my parents and I don’t think they’ll forgive me.”
Linus looked dismayed. “You’re a good alpha. I think your parents would be proud of you.”
“You don’t even know what I’ve done.” Storm grimaced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be a downer.”
“You’re not.” Linus smiled and glanced at Storm’s melting ice cream. “You should enjoy that before it becomes goop.”
“I will.” Storm stuck a small spoonful into his mouth. The ice creamwasgood, all sweet cherry with a hint of tartness. He groaned quietly.
“That’s Cherrybomb.”
“I like cherries,” Storm blurted. He was going to stop, but his mouth kept going. “Especially the juicy ripe ones. They pop so wetly.”
Linus gaped at him. Up close, his lips had been bitten red, glistening with dampness. Storm couldn’t look away from how perfect it was.
How perfecthewas.
“I’m definitely talking about cherries,” Storm said. And cringed. “I meant the fruit.”
“I—I got that,” Linus choked.
Were they doomed to have awkward conversations for the rest of their lives? Storm wrenched them back on topic. “What flavor did you get?”
“Lemon sherbet.”
“Is that your favorite?”
Linus shook his head. “I always get something different. I’ve tried every flavor here.”
“I’m envious.”
Linus huffed a tiny laugh. “Mom always uses me for testing.”
“She makes them herself?” Storm asked, surprised.
“Yes. I’d recommend the sea salt and caramel ice cream, and the double chocolate with fudge. But that’s because I love chocolate and I’m biased,” Linus said, pink fanning across his cheeks. “We have three kinds of chocolate ice cream. There’s the plain chocolate one, the one with fudge and chocolate chips, and the one with marshmallows and sugar cone pieces.”
Storm grinned. “Have you ever eaten all three at the same time?”
Linus nodded shyly. “No regrets.”
