Page 12 of Pack Scratch Fever

PIPER

He likes Mister Whiskers.

Avery likes Mister Whiskers.

It shouldn’t be a big deal, and it would be impossible to explain to him.

But the fact that he’s fond of Mister Whiskers makes me feel as if Avery understands me.

No, I don’t exactly relate to an angry old cat with a scrunched-up face, but I’m still protective of the feline.

Yet Avery sees the creature just how he is—still wanting care, just misunderstood.

Oh, no. Maybe I am Mister Whiskers.

We finish the photoshoot of the cats, and Avery offers to help me tidy up the area. He says goodbye to all the animals and offers a chin scratch to the ones that welcome it.

It’s so endearing that my heart melts.

He’s so kind.

I’ve never been interested in someone like Avery—all the Alphas I’ve tried to connect with have been closed off, self-deprecating, and angry.

Even that awful one-night stand didn’t start off well.

He wanted a quick lay, and so did I, I thought.

When I asked for more, desperate to be taken care of, he left me in the room, all alone.

I shiver at the memory, doing my best not to compare Avery to that nightmare.

“You okay?” he asks, eyeing me curiously as he follows me to the reception area. His amber eyes, gentle and playful, slowly crumble my defenses.

“Yes,” I reply. “I really am. This was amazing. Are you sure I can’t pay you? I have to offer you something.”

“You already are,” he says easily. “You’re having dinner with me.”

I nod, grinning, and Alvin jumps onto the counter as I walk by, his purr as loud as an engine. I scoop him up, place him in the playroom, then shut the door behind me.

All the cats are accounted for, their food and water bowls filled, and litter boxes changed.

The cats we trapped at the packhouse are at Mari’s, waiting to be fixed and then fostered.

Life is good.

After I lock up, Avery stands outside with me, giving me a slight smile.

“So, dinner,” he says. “Any place you like?”

I shrug. “The gastropub three blocks away is good. Blair and I go there all the time.”

He nods. “Do you want me to give you a ride there, or…”

Getting in the car with Avery is a tempting thought.

Maybe if I wasn’t so closed off and guarded, I would.

“I’ll meet you there,” I say instead, and there’s a flash of disappointment in his eyes before he nods and smiles.

“Can’t wait.”

“When’s the last time you’ve been on a proper date?” Avery asks as we take our seats at the table. His sweet tea aroma is stronger than ever, and I subconsciously scoot my chair closer, entranced by his scent.

I startle at his question. “Wait. This is a date?”

He shrugs, his face flushing. “It can be, if you want.” He looks down at the menu, a lock of blonde hair falling into his face.

I want to say it is, but words fail me.

His eyes snap back to mine, and he pushes his hair back.

“It’s okay,” he says gently. “I didn’t mean to push you.”

I shake my head. “You’re not,” I reply. “You’re not at all. I just…” I take a sip of water, and now it’s my turn not to look at him. “I don’t know if you want this, Avery.” I place my glass down and swallow. “I…uh…”

I don’t have words. How do I explain to him everything inside of me?

If he saw it, he’d run screaming.

He’s a grown man with a career. He’s handsome and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.

I run a cat rescue and run away from my emotions.

What do I have to offer?

“Piper.” His voice is low with an undercurrent of a command. It’s subtle, but there.

I look up at him, unable to break eye contact. The chatter of patrons fades away until the only thing I can sense is Avery.

“I like you,” he says earnestly. “I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together. I would like to get to know you better, if that’s alright.”

My instinct is to shake my head, to push him away.

But I take another whiff of his Alpha scent, and a tiny voice inside me speaks.

Scent match.

So, I nod. “I’d like that.”

His answering grin with the matching dimples is worth it. “Great,” he says, looking almost giddy. I end up chuckling, and by the time our food arrives, we’re in a full-blown conversation.

Avery’s a great listener. He tilts his head curiously when I speak about the rescue and my time at community college, and he asks more in-depth questions than I expected.

My inner Omega preens the whole time, flattered that he’s taking such an interest in us.

He’s not talking just to talk.

He’s communicating , and it’s way sexier than it should be.

“So,” he nudges his foot with mine, and tingles race down my spine. “Are you from Luna County? Do you have family here?”

Warning bells ring in my head.

“I’m from here,” I confirm. “Grew up here, stayed here,” I mumble, unable to stop the shame that courses through me.

“You really want to stay here forever? You know you could move across the country with your sisters.”

My parents’ words echo in my head, along with the disappointment in their tone.

I’m always a disappointment.

Avery smiles. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Luna County needs you. Look at all the good you’re doing.”

Either Avery is the sweetest guy on earth, or he’s a master manipulator with words.

I’m betting on the former.

“You’re incredibly generous,” I offer.

He shrugs. “Incredibly accurate.”

I bark out a laugh. “Okay, now you’re just cheesy.”

I absolutely adore it, though. Maybe all I needed was for someone to truly see me and not think about all the things I should or could be doing.

He nudges my foot again. “Still being truthful.”

This time though, when he nudges me, I nudge him back. I press my foot against his, holding it there, and my stomach flutters in anticipation.

I’m twenty-six years old and playing footsie, but I’m enjoying every moment of it.

“This is the best date I’ve ever had,” I blurt, and Avery chuckles.

“Then we need to take you on some better dates,” he says, and my heart skips a beat.

We.

He means his pack.

Avery, Maddox, and Poe.

My face hurts from smiling, and I look down at my napkin on my lap.

“And we need to keep that smile on your face, too,” he adds quietly.

I shake my head, continuing to rub his foot. “Charmer,” I accuse.

“Is it working?”

I laugh. “Yeah. I guess it is.”

We stay until the restaurant closes.

I haven’t talked to anyone this long besides Blair.

And even when Avery walks me out, his hand placed gently at the small of my back, I could talk to him for hours more.

I’ve only known him for a few days, yet it seems like we’re making up for lost time.

As if I’m discovering him again.

Something primal inside me confirms my suspicions.

Ours , my inner Omega confirms. He’s ours. We’ve been waiting for him.

We’ve been waiting for his pack.

It’s quiet in the restaurant parking lot, and we both stand idly next to my car, an old grey commuter car. His is parked next to mine, a sleek light blue eco-friendly car.

It seems so Avery .

“It’s late,” I manage to say. I look up at his wistful smile, drowning in his scent.

He nods, his eyes falling to my lips. “It is.”

I want to kiss him, I realize.

Kiss him.

This was a date, technically, and the butterflies remained in my stomach all through dinner.

I’m giddy like a teenager.

And I haven’t wanted to kiss anyone since…forever.

I wage a war in my head.

Avery continues to watch me with a soft smile on his face. “Are you okay?” he asks, his tone soft.

Patient.

His chamomile scent, so welcoming and calming, is what finally makes me bold.

I think about the words he’s spoken to me, the way he appreciates the work I do.

The fact that he truly sees me.

I stand on tiptoe and gently press my lips to his, anxiety surging in my chest as I do. His lips are soft, but he freezes, and I pull back quickly, mortified.

I misread the situation.

“I’m sorry,” I stammer, backing away from him. His eyes widen, and he huffs out a breath, surprised.

The kiss felt right, was better than any I’ve ever had, but that doesn’t mean it was that way for him, too.

Idiot. Stupid idiot.

He reaches for me. “Piper?—”

But I shake my head, chuckling shakily, shame rushing through me.

Once again, I’ve made the wrong decision, like every other choice in my life.

Stupid, stupid…

But Avery steps forward and cups my face, his fingers caressing my skin. “I didn’t expect that,” he whispers. “Don’t apologize to me.” His smile is brilliant, and he presses his forehead to mine. “Your mouth is so soft.”

Now it’s my turn to freeze. I close my eyes at his touch, tingles racing through my body as his thumb trails down my cheek. “May I kiss you again?” he asks, his minty breath washing over my lips. His sweetness overwhelms me, and my core throbs with need.

“When you ask like that ,” I chuckle weakly, “of course.”

His lips press against mine, still tentative, as if he’s scared I’ll run away. He takes his time, one hand leaving my face to cradle the back of my neck, and I exhale against his mouth.

Avery kisses me as if he has all the time in the world to savor my taste. By the time he pulls away, my breathing is ragged, and my core is soaked. His eyes are almost black, lust filling them.

I want him.

Badly.

I press my hands against his chest and look up at him with my lips parted. His lips are swollen from kissing, and my inner Omega purrs in delight.

We marked him.

I lean in to chase his mouth again.

This is nothing like the last time I kissed someone. Nothing like the closed off, passionless kisses I’ve received, or the brutal tongue lashings that other Alphas thought were attractive.

Nothing like that awful Heat spent in that musty hotel room.

I can’t stop kissing him, desperate for more of his taste, and when my tongue touches his, he lets out a deep, desperate groan.

I can practically feel his self-control snap. He backs me up until I’m pressed against the driver’s side of my car, his mouth carefully licking and tasting every inch of me. He lets out a desperate noise, then pulls away quickly, his breathing heavy.

“Tell me to stop,” he breathes. “I didn’t want to do it this fast—tell me to stop. Tell me not to touch you until I’ve begged for it. Until I’ve earned it.”

His words send a shockwave to my core, and I tremble in his hold.

I’ve never had this much power over a man before, and it’s making my head spin.

This is the best I’ve felt in years.

I grind against him, feeling his erection through his jeans press against my stomach, and I moan in delight.

I’m soaking wet, and my scent permeates the air, lemon and mint swirling with his chamomile.

My cunt clenches, and my nipples ache to be touched.

I know Avery’s right, though. This could be much more delicious drawn out.

Once we get to know each other better.

Once he begs.

I am drunk with power, with the knowledge that I did this to him.

“Stop,” I breathe, pushing at his chest. “For now.”

He steps back from me, and we stare at each other, panting.

“I need to go,” I say, despite the fact that everything in me screams to stay in this parking lot and take .

Avery nods, his jaw clenched. “You deserve better than a quick orgasm in a parking lot,” he grits through his teeth.

The outline of his cock is thick and huge, pressing against the confines of his denim, and my mouth waters at the sight.

“I didn’t come out here to do this to you,” he promises me.

“Please, please believe me. I want it…fuck, I want you, but I don’t want the first time I make you come to happen here. ”

I let out a moan at his words, and he closes his eyes and sighs.

“You smell incredible ,” he groans, taking another step back. “The things I want to do to you I can’t do here.”

My mating gland aches under my shirt, desperate to be bitten.

“I want to earn it,” Avery pleads. “And I can’t properly worship you here.”

There’s no way this man is real.

This sweet-smelling, gentle Alpha with a compassionate heart wants to worship me?

“Okay,” I breathe, unable to take my eyes off him, shocked at what he’s saying.

I wish I had more coherent words for him instead of the choked-out responses that are only half intelligible.

“I would like to see you again,” Avery says, his throat bobbing as he swallows. “And again after that.”

I nod, my face flaming. I need to get out of here before I jump him and beg him to take me against my car.

“I would, too,” I admit.

“Also,” he says, his breath still shaky. “I’ll edit those photos and send them to you, and you can tell me which ones you like best of the cats.”

Oh. The cats.

I had completely forgotten about everything but the scent and taste of the man in front of me, and I feel a twinge of guilt.

I nod, unable to look at him anymore and fumbling for my car keys. “I can’t wait,” I sputter, fighting the arousal washing over me.

If I keep my eyes on him, I don’t know what I’ll do.

His taste lingers on my tongue, and I lick my lips.

I need to get out of here now .

“Will you let me know when you get home?” he asks, his face flushed, his lips swollen from kissing.

As if I could say no to him after this.

“Of course,” I stammer, letting out a shaky laugh, my nerves and arousal making me sound like a complete mess. “I’ll be sure to.”

“Have a good night,” he says. He looks like he wants to step closer to me again, but he clenches his fists at his sides.

I know what would happen if he did.

I would throw myself at him and not care about the consequences.

So, reluctantly, I leave Avery in the parking lot, his words playing in my head the entire drive home.

I want to earn it.

Tell me not to touch you until I’ve begged for it.

My body is on fire, and slick slowly spills out of me and creates a wet spot in my panties.

Once I’m back at my apartment, I toss my purse on the counter and tear off my clothes, collapsing in my nest.

I can still taste Avery.

I smell him everywhere, and when I reach between my legs to touch myself, swirling my clit in small circles, I come embarrassingly fast with his face behind my eyelids.

I want to earn it.

Unbidden, an image of Poe, Maddox, and Avery fills my head, and the filthiest thoughts I’ve ever had flit through my mind.

Three mouths on me at once.

Three slick-coated cocks to play with.

Heats have never been fun for me. It’s always been a task to endure, something to stress about until it’s over.

But there’s a small possibility that maybe I’m allowed to enjoy them.