Page 71 of Puck My Life

I sniff and bury my face in his chest. “I didn’t know it was a date,” I sob.

“It’s okay if it was. You’re allowed to have fun and see people. No one has packed you down. No one expects you to live the life of an omega-in-waiting.”

I freeze in his arms.

“You’re a beta, though. You’re allowed to have fun and date around, find the perfect person or people.”

He sounds unsure, as if he’s feeling me out, but I’m not going to be the one to say it. I’m not going to ruin their lives.

“Yeah. I’m allowed to date. Deacon is wrong. Jansen is a wonderful alpha, and he’s asked me out again.”

Raynor freezes. “Has he?”

I shiver at the deadly menace in his voice.

“Raynor, you said I could-”

“I know. I was trying to make you feel better, and you can, I just don’t have to like it.”

He drops his arms and gently sets me back from him.

“Shall we make something to eat and watch a movie?”

I nod my head miserably and follow him to the kitchen. To my amazement, he starts pulling things out and setting them up. Instead of waiting for me to take over, I watch with my heart in my throat as Raynor attempts to cook us pancakes.

When he finally gets a half-burnt pancake on the plate, I stare at it like it’s a declaration of love. He spoons some sugar and lemon on it and then smiles, though it fades.

“I’m sorry; it’s not very good.”

I reach out, holding tight to his hand. “It’s perfect, Raynor. It’s absolutely perfect.”

He grins and turns back and starts cooking more. They are doughy and a little bit too sweet, but they are actually quite nice.

I eat the whole pancake with my throat aching from holding back tears.

“You made me a meal!”

Raynor turns back and smiles. “I can make you so much more than that, Vae. It will be perfect. Everything.”

I don’t know what he’s talking about, but he seems to be talking more to himself than to me.

I grab the plates, but he snatches them off me and turns and starts washing them. Who is this alpha, and where is Raynor?

Mal comes into the kitchen and drops to his knees beside me, putting his head in my lap.

I pat his silky hair, feeling the heat of his breath on my thigh.

“I love you and Deacon, Mal. But you can’t just tell me I’m not allowed to have a life. If you don’t want me, why can’t someone else?”

“I said I did want you; you just don’t believe me.”

“You were joking.”

“Was I?”

I stare at him as he sits up, his earnest eyes glowing with outrage. He gets to his feet and pulls me up to mine.

His mouth crushes mine before I can speak. I cling to his shoulders as he pushes his tongue into my mouth. The taste of salted caramel fills my mouth, and his huge hand glides over my ass, squeezing me up against him.