“Yes.”
“Something other than biscuits?”
Oliver tapped the toe of his trainer against Lucas’ boot. “Yes.”
Lucas returned the tap, and Oliver kinda wanted him to kick his arse in those boots. Without meaning to, he leaned forward into the alpha’s warmth, the faint scent of sweat and coffee making his nostrils flare. Lucas was not a coffee drinker, so he must have been running on fumes.
Feeling brave, Oliver tentatively traced a fingertip over the alpha’s wrist. “Long night?” He asked, voice low and unsure.
Lucas sighed. “Exceedingly,” he said, leaning forward so their noses were almost touching. Oliver huffed and brushed his knuckles up the alpha’s forearm. The hairs on Lucas’ arms reacted to the touch, leaving noticeable goose flesh across his skin.
“You can lean on me,” Oliver whispered.
“Can I?” He replied, squeezing Oliver’s legs between his knees. The possessiveness of the gesture made Oliver’s throat tighten.
“Y-Yeah.”
The van swayed as it rounded the corner; the overhead handles swinging rhythmically back and forth. Lucas let out a breath, before sliding his face down Oliver’s neck and into the crook of his shoulder. He inhaled, drawing in Oliver’s scent as though it were the last thing he’d ever smell.
The chatter from the other officers faded into nothing, as Oliver squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, gently pressing his fingers to the base of the alpha’s skull. He massaged the nape of his neck, drawing out a long, low sigh. “I’m sorry about what I said. And how I behaved.”
“Did you mean it?” Lucas replied, pressing his face into the space beneath Oliver’s jaw. “What you said that night?”
Oliver rested his cheek against the mess of black curls. “No.”
Lucas sighed, dragging his mouth over the scent gland just beneath his ear. “I want to look after you, Reed.” The words were almost pleading as he breathed against his skin.
With a tiny smile, Oliver kissed the shell of the alpha’s ear. “I want to look after you, too.”
Then he felt a pair of green eyes on them, staring like a curious child. Oliver slid his gaze to Sidney, who slouched like a lazy cat at the other end of the row. Propping his chin on Lucas’ head, Oliver curled his lip over his fangs and gave the other alpha a look that said‘mind your own fucking business.’The firearms officer quickly turned his gaze back to his phone.
Oliver returned his attention to Lucas, quietly clearing his throat. “At the risk of sounding like a teenager chatting up a boy on the back of the bus—” He rubbed the tip of his nose against Lucas’ cheek, “—would you consider going on a… date… with me sometime?”
Lucas smiled against his skin. “Reed, are you actually asking me out?”
Oliver grinned, pressing his mouth to the curve of the alpha’s ear as the little black hoop earring tapped against his teeth. “Well, I dumped you. It’s only fair that I make the first move.”
Kissing the edge of his jaw, Lucas said, “I accept.” And then he kissed his chin, his cheek and finally his lips. Oliver let out a playful gasp as he pulled away.
Heart aching, he wanted to tell Lucas that what he felt went far beyond lust or teenage fancy. He wanted him,neededhim down to the very marrow of his bones, and that he’d been fucking insane if thought he could throw that all away. But it wasn’t the time or the place to let such vulnerable words fall from his lips. So instead, he cocked his head and said, “Exhibits officer?”
Lucas chuckled, his gaze dropping to a wayward knife tube rolling around the van.“Not my idea,” he said, thumb brushing Oliver’s knee.
Oliver dropped his voice to a sultry whisper. “Oh? And what position wouldyouhave had me in, DS White?”
Lucas ran his tongue over his teeth as though considering the question. “On your knees, arse up, face pressed into the mattress.”
When they reached Tintern-on-Wye,Oliver was so hot and bothered he had to crack open a window.
“Five minutes,” Blake called from the front of the van. Oliver caught the sergeant’s eye in the rear-view mirror, shaking his head when he realised Blake was grinning from ear to ear.
“Ready?” He said, turning back to Lucas.
“Yes,” the alpha replied, patting his handcuff holder.
Oliver nodded, tapping the bright yellow taser protruding from his stab vest. “You know, the boss won’t let me carry a disco stick anymore.”
Lucas stretched his arms over his head, making his muscles ripple and dip. “I don’t think I’d let you carry one either, Reed.”
