Page 10 of Shopping for His Omega (Omegas of Oliver Creek #15)

Maverick

“Something smells delicious.” I was in complete and total awe of the alpha.

I knew he could bake. Cookies and banana bread, so far, but this was chef-level cooking.

The scent of chicken, cream, and lemon filled the air, along with freshly baked bread and chocolate?

I was sure it was chocolate, though it was the faintest of scents.

The living room had a corner area with a bookshelf, and a worn but comfy-looking fabric sofa faced the lit fireplace.

A warm amber lamp stood on a table between two chairs.

If I wasn’t here for a date, I would certainly curl up in one of those chairs and grab a book, tuck myself in for the night—hopefully with my alpha in the other chair. Pure coziness.

Since the other day, I was no longer questioning Danny’s status in my life. He was not only an alpha, but he was my alpha.

“I hope so. It was a quick meal. I tried to have someone come in and cover my shift this afternoon, but it’s Friday night, so the young people are busy. Understandable.”

“I’m sure it’s great. Besides, I’m here for more than the food.”

The air charged with electricity as Danny stalked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Are you? What else are you here for?”

It was too early in the date to start up something, especially since as starved as I was for this alpha holding me, I was also hungry for food. It had been a long day, made longer by anticipation and nervousness and other than the coffee and cookies for breakfast, I hadn’t eaten since lunch.

Plus, I was anxious as hell. Yes, we’d decided to have a date, but I was afraid this bubble would burst.

After all, we had fought about candy bars. I tried to chalk all of that up to the tension between us making us snap but still, the thought hovered in the back of my mind.

“What was that?” he asked, staring down at me. “Your scent changed, little rabbit.”

I inhaled, giving myself a moment to think. “I’m nervous.”

“About what? Tell me. You can tell me anything.” Danny moved and offered me a seat next to him on the couch. It was firm but comfortable. “Did I do something to make you anxious?”

“No. Not at all. I’ve wanted to be with you for so long, and now I’m nervous it’s all a dream.”

Taking my hands in his, he kissed each one of them. “I promise you, Maverick, this is real. Let’s enjoy the night. The first night of many.”

He leaned forward and pressed the sweetest kiss to my lips. A kiss full of unspoken vows and affection. My rabbit was eager to meet his wolf and even more to seal our connection, but I couldn’t just jump him on our first date.

Or could I?

No. Dinner first.

“Let’s go eat. My wolf is hungry, sensing your hunger. Didn’t you eat all day?” he asked as we moved to the kitchen where he had set the table.

“Not really. It was a busy day. Fridays always are.”

He chuckled. “Tell me about it. I had two cashiers call in sick as well. I hope you like lemon chicken with pasta and a cream sauce. I also made focaccia and a chocolate cake.”

I snorted while he served us both plates full of food. “How did you manage that? Sometimes I make a scrambled egg sandwich for dinner.”

The alpha shrugged like this grand meal was nothing. “I had someone special to cook for. I made chicken this morning along with the focaccia and put it in the fridge along with the cake. I got up early to make everything right.”

Someone special. Be still, my rabbit heart.

“It’s incredible. Really. Thank you for going to so much trouble. I’ll have to think of a way to thank you.”

That earned me a growl. A wolf’s growl. The sound ripped through me and I forgot all about dinner.

“You’re making it hard to get through dinner,” I admitted.

“Omega, you’re making all kinds of things hard. Eat your dinner. You’re going to need the energy. Now, let’s talk about something else before I put you over my shoulder and take you to bed.”

Goddess. If I knew Danny was this alpha-like in private, I might’ve made my move sooner. Not that I made a move. I picked a fight.

“What did you get at the festival? I saw you there.” I tried to change the subject. Nothing about pumpkins was sexy.

Danny shook his head. I hadn’t said anything funny but he laughed a bit. “Can I make a confession?” he said.

I finished chewing the delectable lemon chicken. “That’s kind of our thing.”

“It is. I was there for you. I stopped going to fall festivals after my former partner and I broke it off. She loved fall and everything Halloween, so it gave me a bad taste in my mouth. But then I thought maybe you would be there and I’d have an opportunity to talk to you.”

I sat back in the chair. “We are a pair, aren’t we? I knew where you were at all times while I was there. My rabbit could feel you near. I was trying to convince him that you weren’t mine. That you weren’t my mate and for him to give it a break.”

“And did it work?” he asked.

“What?”

“Convincing your animal to forget about me?”

I put down my fork and blew out a breath. I ate half of the meal but more than anything, I craved the alpha sitting across from me. Hunger be damned. “Not for a second, alpha.”

That did it. He stood up and with a growl came over, and to his word, threw me over his shoulder. I probably should’ve been offended by an alpha manhandling me, but boy, oh boy, I was definitely not.

I tried to move and see where he was taking me, but the view was too good. Instead, I reached out and squeezed his ass. “Stop squirming before I accidentally drop you.” His command preceded a slap to my ass.

Oh, my. “Did you just spank me?”

“I did. The question is…” Finally stopping, he put me down on my feet. “Did my omega like it?”

Heat crept up in my cheeks. “I’ve never had someone do that to me before but, yes, I liked it.”

Danny licked his lips. “Good to know. We’ll have to explore that later. I have to tell you. If we mate tonight, there’s no going back. You’ll be mine and I’ll be yours and I’m a 100 percent sure I’m going to mark you. Are you sure about this? About me?”

I looked at him. For all his alpha-ness and self-confidence, he was vulnerable now. As everyone should be when they were with their fated mate. That’s what he was, my fated mate. Made for me as I was for him.

“I’m sure, alpha. Are you sure about me?”

“I never doubted it, Maverick.”

I barely contained my tears. All my wishes were here, right in front of me. “Then show me, alpha. Show me how you choose me.”