Page 97 of Alpha Mates

I nod, wondering how tasty these sticks of cinnamon must be, while he redirects his attention to Beckett and Isabel, who are still gawking at me. “What’s wrong with these guys?”

“They’re surprised to see Jewels,” Aiden mutters while he slides an arm over my shoulders. “They didn’t think that I could corrupt him so soon.”

“I volunteered to come,” I correct while I inch a little closer.

“I’m very persuasive,” Aiden states, and there’s no fighting my smile.

“Very cute, but here’s the game plan,” Emitt says as he rests his arms on the table to face us all. “The show starts in an hour, so once we get out of here, we’ll stop for snacks, head to the drive-in, and set up shop, so you guys can have the best first experience ever. Then, if you’re up for it, we’ll just hang out somewhere and head back before midnight.”

“This drive-in,” Isabel begins curiously, “we just drive into a space and watch a projected movie from the car? How do we all hear it?”

“You connect to a station on the radio, and it plays through your stereo,” Emitt explains. “But there are also some speakers in random places for those who sit outside, like us.”

“We’re sitting outside?” Beckett asks as his nose wrinkles. “Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of—”

“It’s not up for discussion,” Emitt says flatly, and the others are forced to leave it at that.

I look to Aiden for an explanation, and he subtly shakes his head as he rests his hand on my thigh, a cue that he’ll fill me in later. But the weight of his large hand only reminds me of the last time I let him touch me.

“And we’re still watching a movie about lifeguards?” Beckett asks.

“The show, not the movie. They’re doing reruns of classics, and I’m being a good friend by making you all watch the original Baywatch,” Emitt supplies with a firm nod. “Everybody say,thank you, Emitt.”

Only Beckett obeys, making the rest of us laugh while his neck heats up.

“Emitt, stop taking advantage of Beckett,” Aiden scolds while his fingers spread over the fabric of my jeans.

“I am not taking advantage of Beckett, trust me,” he mutters. “He’s just nice. You guys should all learn something from him.”

“Learn something from Beckett? Hmm.” Isabel props her head in her hand and looks at our friend with mock interest. “Well, go on. Teach me something, Beckett.”

Beckett opens his mouth.

“And it can’t be something you stole from a fortune cookie,” Isabel cuts in, and he promptly shuts it again.

Laughter circles the table, and I’m a part of it until Aiden pats my leg beneath the table. It’s a casual touch, I’m sure, but it still makes me shift—until Aiden’s fingers dig into my thigh. I shudder and then jerk upright as a large box is dumped onto the centre of our table.

“Thanks!” Emitt cheers, snatching it off the table, but the lady’s already walking off. “Alright, let’s hit the road.”

“Let’s,” I agree, and I’m the first on my feet.

“Excited for the lifeguards, Julian?” Isabel calls.

“Yep!” I say, escaping to the door. I just need a moment. It’s hard enough controlling how I react to Aiden, I don’t need others witnessing it, especially not my friends.

Claiming our mate in front of others is not a bad thing,Alex inserts, his voice gruff with desire as it always seems to be now.In fact, I believe it can be extremely satisfying.

I’m sure, and yet Aiden is always the one claiming me,I grunt, and that shameful reminder is enough to make him settle.

“…Yeah, that’s fine,” Aiden says to Beckett as they spill out of the restaurant, but his eyes are narrowed on me. “We’ll just meet you guys there.”

“At the drive-in?” I ask, looking between them all. “We’re splitting up?”

“Emitt’s all wet to get there and claim his favourite spot,” Aiden explains,ignoring the way Emitt huffs with exasperation.

“It has a superior viewing experie—”

“So, we’re on snack duty and then we’ll catch up to them,” Aiden continues with a nod towards his car. “I figured, out of everyone, we wouldn’t mind missing a bit if we run late.”