Page 42

Chapter 18

Ben

Iwas going to die.

I didn’t know who I’d pissed off in a former life, but this was my torture. Maybe I didn’t pet enough kittens or save enough orphans from burning buildings.

Either way, Ember kept perfuming around me and gave me no sign that she wanted me to do anything about it. She laughed off any mention I made about a date.

I could pick up signals. I was blind, not dense. But I was in the area for a meeting. Okay, it was on the outskirts of San Francisco, but still. I wanted to see her.

I didn’t expect to get jealous when I scented another alpha on her. She was allowed to date whomever she chose, but I wanted to be on the list. I wanted to be one of the alphas vying for her attention, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to be able to play it casual.

I’d have to work on Rian some more, make him see that just because Ember had another omega didn’t mean they wouldn’t want him.

Until then, I suffered. Ember’s lemon cake scent was strong in the car, enough that I almost rolled a window down. I also considered telling her to pull over by the side of the road so Icould fuck her, but something told me that would be the wrong direction, even if she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

Something was holding her back, keeping her aloof, and I didn’t think it was only Rian’s grumpy attitude. Until I figured out what that was, I couldn’t take any steps forward.

She deserved to be courted, not just overwhelmed by sexual chemistry. Our scents being compatible was a great indication that we would do well together, but I was also old enough to know she deserved more than a fuck by the side of the road.

No matter how good it would feel.

“Where are we going?” I pulled out my phone, getting ready to pull the menu up.

“What do you like?” She fiddled with the dial. She had music playing, and the song flipped over to classic rock and roll.

I would have been a goner based on how amazing she smelled and her energetic personality, but she had excellent taste in music. I was ready for her and West to move in.

Maybe that was the next step. She wouldn’t want to move too quickly without getting her omega partner on board. Judging by his milk and honey scent on her, it wouldn’t be a problem for me, but better to reassure both omegas.

All the omegas. I frowned. Rian would need to meet him too.

“I like lots of stuff. Thai food. Italian. Chinese. Steak.” I shrugged. “I’m not picky.”

“There’s a French bistro called Pascal’s,” she said. “It’s got, like, fancy sandwiches and really good fries. Brunch food too. It’s sort of upscale but they’re not going to judge us for wearing jeans.”

“Sounds delicious.” I pulled the menu up on my phone and listened to the voice-to-text read it out loud.

“Mmm, hearing the food is making me hungry.” She shifted in her seat, and I heard cars passing by.

The music flipped to a heavy techno beat and I beamed. Her taste in music grew better and better the more I listened to her playlists. “You like EDM?”

“I wasn’t kidding when I said I liked all sorts of music.” Ember’s voice lit up like it had when we were talking about Evermore West.

“We listened to all the Evermore West albums, by the way.” I was glad my brain finally used enough juice to give me smart things to say that weren’t “how soon can you strip so we can do naked things together?”

“What do you think?” She sounded hopeful. “I’m not a snob, by the way. You don’t have to love it just because I do.”

“Idolove it,” I said. “It was a really good blend of sounds. I also enjoyed how different the two albums were. Love it when a band feels free to experiment.”

“Right?” Ember shifted in her seat again, sending more sweet lemon cake my way. I adored how she never seemed to sit still. “Like Moon and Magnolias. She still sounds like herself, but each new album is her exploring more pieces.”

“Exactly.” The techno song repeated the beat, and I tapped my fingers in time. “I like EDM a lot. Those weird mixes you find on YouTube and SoundCloud where it’s just a few dubs looped over and over?” I grinned. The guilty pleasure of the EDM world. “It’s good music.”

“My biggest concern is when I find those amazing mixes, but since they’re not official, you can’t buy them.” Ember sounded like she was pouting. “What happens if they get taken down? What will I do then?”

“They will live on in your heart?” I asked with a smirk.