I study his face in the dim light of the car, the strong line of his jaw, the warmth in his blue eyes, the slight curl at the corner of his mouth. Despite everything that should come between the two of us, I'm drawn to this man, this omega, in a way I can't fully explain.
Maybe there is something to this scent match business after all.
"Walk me to my door?" I ask, and his smile widens.
"Absolutely."
The night air is cool as we make our way up the walkway to my building, our hands still linked. At my door, I turn to face him, suddenly shy despite the intimacy we've already shared.
"So," I say, fidgeting with my keys. "That was an interesting evening."
"That's one word for it," he agrees with a soft laugh. "Not exactly how I planned to introduce you to the concept of being our scent match."
"Oh? And how did you plan it?"
"I didn't get that far," he admits. "I was still stuck on the 'how do I tell her without her running for the hills because of my crazy pack' part."
I smile, touched by his honesty. "Well, I'm still here. No hills in sight."
"Thank gods for that." His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his touch gentle. "And no window escapes, either." He pauses. "Can I see you again soon? Just us, maybe?"
The hope in his voice is impossible to resist. "I'd like that."
His smile is brilliant, lighting up his entire face. "Good. That's... good."
He leans in slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away if I wanted to. I don't. Instead, I meet him halfway, our lips coming together in a kiss that's soft and sweet and full of promise.
When we part, his eyes are dark, his breath coming a little faster. "I should go," he says reluctantly. "Before I forget all about taking things slow."
The heat in his gaze sends a shiver down my spine. "Probably a good idea."
He steals one more quick kiss before stepping back. "I'll call you tomorrow?"
"I'll answer," I promise, and the smile that spreads across his face makes me decide this is a risk worth taking.
I watch him walk back to his car, waiting until he's inside before unlocking my door. As I step into my apartment, I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips.
I'm still terrified. Still uncertain. Still not entirely convinced that this impossible situation can work out.
But I guess I have a little bit of hope left in me after all.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
DARREN
Ibalance two coffees and a bag of pastries in one hand as I knock on Lexie's door with the other. It's barely 8 AM, which might be pushing it for a surprise visit, but I couldn't sleep. Not now that I have access to her outside my dreams, too.
The door swings open, and there she is, hair adorably tousled from sleep, wearing an oversized sweater that falls to mid-thigh, legs bare. My mouth goes dry at the sight.
"Morning," I say, holding up the coffee and pastry bag like an offering. "Too early?"
Her sleepy smile is answer enough. "Never too early for coffee." She steps back, gesturing me inside. "Though a text warning might've been nice. I look like I just rolled out of bed."
"You look perfect," I say, meaning it. Seeing her like this, soft and rumpled and unguarded, is impossibly sexy.
She rolls her eyes but accepts the coffee I hand her, taking a grateful sip. "Mmm, you remembered my order."
