Page 8 of Operation: CuddleDom (The Port Haven Omegaverse #9)

JUSTICE

The morning air was crisp, making me glad I’d suggested Mackenzie grab her sweater before we headed out for fresh croissants and coffee.

We caught the light to cross the street, but we’d have to hustle to make it across before it changed.

I put my hand on the small of her back. The causal touch made me shiver.

I pulled my hand away after a moment, ignoring the subtle way she leaned back, seeking the contact I’d broken.

“Can I ask you something about business?” Mackenzie tilted her head to look up at me, the sunlight glittering in her hair.

“Always.”

“What’s the actual difference between a founder, a CEO, and a president?” She chewed her lip in that way that always made me want to kiss her. “Everyone keeps introducing me as the ‘founder and CEO of Twist,’ but I don’t feel like a CEO.”

“Technically, a founder is just someone who starts a company. You can be a founder and nothing else.”

“Like you’re the founder of Ice’d Inc., right?”

“Co-founder. Daisy and I are both founders. But I’m also the CEO because I run the company strategically.

I make the big decisions about direction, growth, securing capital.

” I winced slightly and added, “Daisy is COO, operations. And I’m also CTO, chief technology officer.

A president typically handles more of the day-to-day operations. ”

Mackenzie nodded, her expression thoughtful. She brushed her arm against mine as we walked. I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to wrap my arm around her shoulders.

“So, if I’m being honest, I don’t really want to be CEO of Twist. I love creating formulations. I love testing products. But I hate the idea of managing people, hiring and firing…”

Relief washed through me. I’d been worried about this for weeks. Mackenzie was extraordinary at product development and the vision about what she wanted to create, but I’d seen the growing anxiety in her eyes every time Aria talked about scaling operations.

“That’s completely valid.”

“Is it?” She looked up at me, nervous that I’d judge her or something.

“Many founders eventually step back from the CEO role. They become Chief Innovation Officers, or head of product development, or even just remain on the board.”

We paused at a street corner, waiting for the light to change.

I noticed two women staring at us from across the street, their whispers and pointed glances unmistakable.

Since the news of our pack had broken, I’d gotten used to the public attention, but it still made my skin crawl now and again.

Mackenzie shifted closer to me, subtly pressing her shoulder against my arm. She’d noticed people watching us, too.

“What if we hired someone to be the actual CEO? Someone who knows what they’re doing? I could be… I don’t know… Chief Product Officer or something.”

The light changed, and we crossed the street together.

I caught more stares from a pack leaving a restaurant.

One of them, an alpha, nudged his pack mate, nodding in our direction.

Before I could think better of it, I slid my hand to the back of Mackenzie’s neck, my fingers curling possessively around her nape.

I felt her relax into the touch, a small purr escaping her throat. I barely contained a growl.

“If that’s what you want, we can absolutely make it happen.” I kept my tone even, supportive, doing my best to mask the sudden onset of homicidal alpha possessiveness.

“But would investors be okay with that? Aria keeps talking about how important founder-led companies are.”

I pulled her back as someone stepped out from a nest boutique, almost running into us.

The window displays were full of square stackable floor pillows.

They were almost the exact green Theo wanted to paint his bedroom in.

My thumb traced small circles on her skin, an action that was half protective display for our audience and half selfish indulgence.

I just liked how she felt under my fingers.

“Investors care about results. If your company performs better with you focusing on innovation while someone else handles operations, that’s what they’ll want.”

We approached Perc, my favorite coffee spot in Port Haven. They did something magical when they roasted their beans. The resulting coffee was rich, but it never had that bitter or acidic bite.

A couple at an outdoor table glanced up, did a double-take, and immediately bent their heads together in hushed conversation. I fought the urge to pull Mackenzie even closer.

“I just don’t want to fail because I’m trying to be something I’m not,” Mackenzie said as I held the door for her. She deliberately brushed against me as she passed, her scent intensifying with the contact.

“That’s actually the most CEO thing you’ve said yet,” I replied, unable to hold back a smile. “Good leaders know their limitations.” I could smack my forehead right now, or bang it on a desk. Fuck Daisy. She was right. I should have stepped out of the CTO role ages ago.

Inside, we joined the short line at the counter. I scanned the room out of habit, checking for exits and making extra sure the room wouldn’t suddenly turn into a closet. The claustrophobia was better now, but the habits were hard to shake off.

The line moved fast. Perc was relatively quiet for a downtown shop, but it was Saturday morning. By midday, it would be packed with students from Port Haven University, huddled over laptops.

“Justice!” the manager, stepping from the back room, called out. Clara’s braids were piled high on her head, making her seem even taller than she was. She motioned us out of the line to the end of the counter.

“It’s been ages.”

“Yeah, I’ve been busy.” I refused to drop my hand from Mackenzie. The homicidal tendencies had dissolved. This was pure pride.

“I read the news. Congratulations.” She extended a hand to Mackenzie as they traded names. “Has your coffee order changed, too?” Her smile was dazzling.

“No,” I chuckled. “But I’ll take a large latte and a flat white, and whatever my omega wants.”

My omega. Fuck, that was a rush.

Mackenzie got an ice coffee, and we ordered croissants, plain and chocolate. There were a few open tables, but I didn’t want to sit. I didn’t want to break contact with Mackenzie. She turned towards me, effectively tucking herself into my arms. It made my knees weak.

“Does it make me a coward, or less than, or whatever, because I don’t want to run the company?” Her eyes were full of indecision and concern. Like the old Mackenzie. The one who had to give herself pep talks under her breath. Fuck that.

“No,” I said simply.

“I… I don’t want to be a stereotype of an empty-headed omega who only bakes cookies and fucks. But… I’m not like Aria. I don’t want power like that.”

“I think you should build the company you want to work in,” I said, careful not to sound like I was dictating her choices. “We could look for an experienced COO who could grow into a CEO role. Someone who complements your skills.”

Clara came around the counter with the coffees in a carrier in one hand and a bag of pastries in the other.

“I also gave you chocolate muffins for a little celebration. On the house, of course.”

“Fuck no,” I smiled, and dropped my arm from Mackenzie’s waist to pull out my wallet and a crisp $100 bill. Clara didn’t protest.

Mackenzie grabbed the drinks, leaving pastries for me. I guided her toward the door, but stopped short before opening it.

“Shit, I almost forgot,” I said, flipping my wallet back open and thumbing through the contents.

“What?”

“The loyalty card.” I fished it out and headed back to the register to get the right number of stamps. I handed it to the kid at the register. “Do you mind? We got four drinks.”

On the street, Mackenzie snorted out a laugh.

“What?”

“Justice, you have enough money to buy the whole place, and you’re concerned about earning a free coffee.”

I turned the card in my hands and looked deep into her eyes.

Things like this, the loyalty card, my rock climbing gear, my bedroom lights, I never really examined them openly.

Shit, I barely could acknowledge they existed, let alone were problems. But Mackenzie made those character flaws less dangerous. She made it safe to say out loud.

“I… uh… when things are unfinished, incomplete, it makes me anxious. I know it’s irrational. It’s a silly card, a marketing gimmick, but it will linger in the back of my mind if I leave it undone.”

Her face transformed. There was no pity or ridicule, but I couldn’t quite place the emotion. It was like she found something new to love.

“And,” I continued, feeling extra bold, “Perc was like a second home when I was in college. I lived off of the free coffees back before I had money. Now,” I shrugged, “I get the free coffee, but triple tip. It feels like I’m balancing the scales.”

“I fucking love you,” she said, going up on tiptoes to kiss me.

I hated public displays of affection, but my omega could kiss me anytime, any place if it always felt like this. She grabbed my wrist and pulled it over her shoulder as we made our way back to the penthouse.

I didn’t stifle my smile. It was pure alpha ego. I wanted people to see us now. To see how fucking lucky I was to have this gorgeous woman under my fingers.

“So, how do I hire a CEO but more importantly, how do I tell Aria?”

“How about we enjoy our pastries before draw up that battle plan?”

“Deal,” she said, slipping her arm about my waist.

I practically died.