“How was your day?” I ask, my lips against his skin since he’s pressed close to me. It doesn’t bother me at all, I love it.
“Busy,” he confesses. “I’ve been catching up on lectures that I’ve missed, and working to finish papers. It’s hectic.”
“Is it too much?” I ask. I want to gauge his stress levels, make sure he’s not overwhelmed. I worry about him, especially after his flashback recently.
“I don’t think so,” he says. “I’m almost all caught up. I’m learning that I can handle this. It’s a moment of stress, not forever.”
“You’ve got this,” I encourage. I want to show him how proud of him I am, because this is a big deal.
Moving my hand from his pocket, I push him against the wall beside the coffee shop.
“I want you to take deep breaths when you get overwhelmed and remind yourself that you’re fully capable of completing your assignments, okay?” I ask.
My lips are meeting his before he can answer, kissing him hard. I hear someone whistle but ignore it, because I’m enjoying my omega.
“Yes,” he finally breathes as I pull back.
“If it feels like it’s too much, call me,” I say firmly, taking his hand. “I’ll come over and sit with you.”
“Why would you do that?” he asks, eyes wide as I tug him into motion.
“So I can keep you company while you work,” I explain. “Sometimes, having someone doing schoolwork beside you can be helpful.”
“Huh,” he says. “I didn’t think of that.”
“It’s called body doubling, and it’s also an excuse for me to spend more time with you,” I say.
“You don’t need an excuse,” he says shyly as I open the door for us.
Camden is adorable, blushing and biting his lip as we walk inside. I’m already enjoying our date. I don’t do many of these, but he deserves this. So much of his past says that he has to live in secret, and I want to blow that sky high.
My pack and I can protect him. He needs to believe that.
Ordering his favorite drink, I also decide on an iced coffee for myself. This place reminds me of River, and how he always seems to smell like coffee beans as they’re being ground. Being here feels like we’re sharing a piece of my Alpha.
“I love coffee,” Camden says softly as we collect our drinks. He moans lightly as he takes a sip, and I suddenly feel jealous of his coffee.
“Let’s grab a seat,” I suggest. I’m not in a hurry since I’m kind of winging things tonight.
Leading him to a seat, I can’t help but stare at him. His hair is wild from his bed head, his lips curled in happiness. It amazes me that he needs so little to be content, and I want to be the one who puts that smile on his face.
“We already talked about me,” he says. “What’s going on with you?”
Ugh, I have so many secrets, I don’t even know what’s safe to talk about anymore.
“I am helping to organize an event for the freshman,” I finally say. “It’s going to be mandatory, but it should be a good time.”
Camden makes a face regarding the part where he’ll need to be in attendance, at which I chuckle. I knew he wouldn’t like that bit. It’ll be fun to chase him.
“Don’t be like that,” I tease him. “Show some school spirit.”
“Meh,” Cam says with a small smile. “I don’t enjoy people enough to have any.”
“You liked the football game though, right?” I ask, remembering his brutal kiss with Brooks.
“Ye…yeah,” he stutters his fingers twisting his empty coffee cup from side to side as he nods. “I liked it because I was with you, and I liked watching Brooks play.”
I want to push and ask about Jamie, but I don’t want to come off as a jealous asshole. I’m claiming his sweet ass very soon to soothe the inner protective person inside of me. I’ve never wanted anyone to breathe and live just for me before. It’s a heady feeling.
