Page 13

Fate had a hand in everything.

Chapter Twelve

Rue

Alfred was glad to fill in on Saturday. It was our busiest day, but I couldn’t think of any better reason to take the time off. In the interest of making my assistant/cousin’s day easier, I stayed late Friday and did the mopping and the restocking in addition to the usual nighttime straightening up.

As was only fair, I had decided to clue him in to the fact that I was dating, but I swore him to secrecy for the time being. I believed he’d keep his word. He was a loyal worker and had proved himself a good friend as well, in the time he’d been here. I’d only known him a little beforehand, but it felt as if we had been close for much longer.

He’d also insisted on staying late to help me on the night before his first solo effort, and when my phone chimed, he darted over, trying to get close enough to read my screen. “What did he say?”

“It’s private.” I held the phone against my chest. “You’re being nosey.”

“Absolutely. So, what did he say this time?”

I let out a breath and turned the screen toward him. It was innocent enough.Looking forward to our date.

“That’s it? I thought surely you’d be sexting by now.”

I jerked the phone back, trying not to laugh. “You need an alpha of your own. Then you won’t be trying to live vicariously through me.”

“Okay. If you run into someone looking for me, ask if they are my fated mate.”

We bantered back and forth as we finished up the work then parted ways for the evening. As I drove home, I chuckled. Sexting. Was that something anyone really did?

At home, I put a plate of leftover pasta in the microwave and went to shower off the sweat of a hard day’s work. As I soaped up a sponge and rubbed it over my skin, the idea of sexting wouldn’t go away. Truly…was it a real thing?

I wasn’t a virgin, had dated some in the past, but the only sex I’d had, had been in person. Dried off and wearing pajama bottoms, I sat down and ate my dinner, reading the news on my phone.

As I carried my plate to the sink, my phone chimed and I hurried back to grab it. It was an omega alert, a missing person. These happened all too often, but this one was at least fifty miles away, and it was unlikely I would ever encounter him. Still, I looked at the photo closely. Just in case. Omegas in Need had helped find a couple of them through the channels they had established with their clients and supporters. I didn’t know where I’d be going on our date, but I’d keep an eye out for this missing omega.

Curling up in bed, I took my phone off the charger on the night table just in time to see a text come in.Are you up?

Okay, I’d seen that line used in a movie once. It was someone hoping to get lucky. My cheeks burned at the thought. If this kept up, I’d be blushing nonstop. But maybe he didn’t mean anything by it. Could just be my very naughty mind.

One I didn’t have before meeting this alpha bear.

Just got into bed. You?

Me too. Had a shower and crawled right in.Shoot, now I wanted to use the what-are-you-wearing line.

But no. What would he think?I’m wearing pajama bottoms.

I’m not.

I had zero idea how to respond to that. My cock, on the other hand, responded by going rigid, and my hand by closing around it.

You don’t wear pajamas?Okay, I figured out a response.

No. Omega, are you flirting with me?

Maybe a little. Do you wear anything?

What do you think I wear?Okay, might not be sexting, at least not yet, but flirting? Yeah.

Boxers? Briefs? Jeans?

You’re adorable. And you’ll have to keep guessing for now. Get some sleep, omega. I’m coming for you first thing.