Evidently, that wasn’t going to be a problem with Shane.
I should’ve put up at least a token protest that we were in public, but I liked the idea that someone could walk in on us. It was private enough I knew the chances were low, but there was enough of a thrill that I made a needy sound as I leaned forward to get another mushroom from his fingers.
It was even better the second time.
If the appetizer was this good, I couldn't help but wonder how dessert would taste. I also couldn’t help but wonder who or what would end up being dessert.
Was it too soon to hope it would be me?
* * *
“That was delicious.”Dinner had been a slow, relaxed affair, so it was late by the time we left the restaurant. We’d still ended up getting odd looks from the confused waiter, but since he’d left us alone and respected our privacy, I couldn’t complain. “You picked a wonderful restaurant.”
Shane smiled, squeezing my hand. “It’s owned by a friend of the family. If he’d been working tonight, he would’ve made a nuisance of himself.”
“So I’m not going to be a dirty little secret?” I was mostly teasing, but it hadn’t occurred to me that he would have known anyone there.
“No.” Then he leaned in, kissing me tenderly in the quiet parking lot. “I don’t need to shout private business to the world, but I like the idea of showing you off to my friends. You’re sexy, sweet, and smart, and every alpha out there will be jealous.”
Chuckling, I couldn’t help but notice the part that was missing.
Money.
With some men I would have thought they were playing down my wealth to manipulate the situation, but Shane didn’t seem to care. He treated it as if it was just another part of me, like my eye color or how tall I was.
“I wouldn’t say that.” I shook my head. “But I’ll enjoy meeting your friends.”
Family made me nervous, but friends were easy.
“And I’m going to enjoy meeting yours.” His words held just a hint of question in them, making me wonder if he was worried about me hiding him away.
“They’re going to love you, but I’ll never live this down.” I looked away, focusing on our cars at the other end of the parking lot. “They might have been pushing me for a while to see if you were interested in me.”
That was putting it mildly.
I was going to hear the I told you so’s for years.
Shane laughed. “Mr. Johnson is going to enjoy being right.”
I snorted. “Austin’s going to be an ass about it. And really, he’s going to insist you call him Austin.”
“That will take some getting used to.” Shane kissed my head and tugged me closer as we approached the cars.
He’d been reluctant to let me drive myself, but only because he’d wanted to make sure it felt like a date. But it hadn’t been practical, which was frustrating. I didn’t want practical. I wanted a goodnight kiss that would set my socks on fire.
“They’re all very laid back.” Squeezing his hand, I tried to project confidence. I didn’t want him to think they’d have any issues with him. “They’re all great. Insane, but great.”
He laughed and some of the tension went out of his grip. “I’ve heard enough when they’ve come into the office to believe the insanity part. You guys are not as quiet as you think you are.”
Just thinking about everything he could have heard made me want to crawl under the car, but if it helped him to see me as more than just a professional omega, then I’d be glad. “I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Oh, I’m not. You have a very dirty sense of humor.” As we approached his car, he leaned back against the front and pulled me close so I was flush against him. “I think you might need to be punished for some of those. A good omega shouldn’t have such dirty thoughts in his head.”
Part of me wanted to hide my face in embarrassment, but there was another larger part that was going “Yipee!”
“What did we say about you saying things like that in public?” My face heated as I fought the urge to squirm against him.
Shane tightened his hold on me, trapping me against him. It left me breathless in the best possible way. “I didn’t make any promises, my dirty little omega.”