Page 16 of Such a Grumpy Omega (His Alpha Desires #9)
Everly
Fraser promised me that one day I would let go of the shame and guilt for what I’d put him through, but in the meantime, the owners had said they forgave me and hoped we could all move on. He agreed.
It would take some time on my part. Tonight, I had a date with my alpha.
After the meeting the night before, he’d asked me to dinner tonight, and there was no way I could turn him down. He was my focus now. I had repairs to do and an alpha to court.
I stopped by the flower shop and then my favorite bakery to pick up a Triple Chocolate Threat cake, their specialty. We hadn’t gotten to know each other yet, so I didn’t know his preferences. At the last second, I bought a lemon pound cake and a caramel apple pie, just in case he hated chocolate.
When I arrived, I rang the doorbell to his home and waited with both hands full and a heavy heart.
He didn’t immediately answer, and I closed my eyes, thinking he’d reconsidered.
That the events of the last couple of weeks and finding out I was the culprit had slammed into him and now he’d changed his mind.
I backed up a few steps and let out a long sigh, accepting my fate…then the door opened.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I was taking the chicken out of the oven. Everly? What’s wrong?”
Tears welled in my eyes. Goddess, what an emotional wreck. “I thought you weren’t answering the door. That maybe you’d had second thoughts.”
Fraser pulled me into his embrace and kissed the top of my head. “Not a chance, omega. You’re mine now and I’m most definitely yours. Come on inside.”
Once we were inside, I looked around the place.
Despite the sleek and modern exterior of his home, the inside was warm and soothing.
The furniture looked comfortable and lived in.
Several throws were folded around, ready for someone to cozy up to.
The smell of chicken and vegetables along with bread and seasonings filled the air.
Everything was tidy, but the place felt like home—lived in.
“What’s in the bags, Everly?” He walked over to the large kitchen and rounded the island where he used a pair of tongs to mix dressing into salad.
“Oh.” I held up the flowers. “These are for you. I didn’t know what kind of dessert you liked, so I brought a few options.”
The smile he gave me was enough to forget dinner and ask him to take me to bed instead, hunger be damned. “You brought me flowers?”
I brought them over, placing the bakery boxes on the counter. They were all tied together neatly with string for easy carrying. “I did. It isn’t the first time, is it?” An alpha as hot as him must have received all kinds of gifts.
He continued what he was doing for a few moments while my jealousy bubbled up inside me. If anyone had brought him flowers before me, well, it didn’t sit well with my wolf. Then again, if anyone hadn’t treated him well, that didn’t sit well with us either.
“No. No one has ever brought me flowers. I think it’s an alpha-omega thing. Sometimes people hold on to roles. Omegas are meant to be spoiled.”
“So are alphas,” I answered.
He accepted the flowers and brought them to his nose.
“Smell good?”
“Yes, but they’re not the best thing I’ve ever smelled, not by a long shot.”
“You’re right. That chicken smells incredible. Can I help with anything?”
He chuckled. “I wasn’t talking about the chicken, but I think you know that.” Fraser winked at me. My knees went weak. “Let’s get everything on the table and eat.” He picked up the salad bowl in one hand and patted my ass with the other as he passed. “I’m starving.”
Fraser had made a roasted chicken with all kinds of vegetables, along with fresh sourdough and the salad. It had been entirely too long since I’d had a home-cooked meal, and never one of this caliber.
“Where do we go from here?” I asked him once we’d settled and began to eat. I noticed he waited for me to begin eating first. The sweetest and yet strongest alpha on the planet. I was sure that the world could end around us and he wouldn’t blink. Fraser was solid ground, where I was sinking sand.
“Wherever we want. Did you have something in mind?”
“Not really. I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time. But this is different.”
He reached across the table and held my hand in his. “It is. I’ve been waiting a long time to find my fated mate. The truth is, I thought I wasn’t going to have one.”
“You were looking in the wrong places, alpha. You should’ve checked the list of nemeses.”
“Hey.” He took my hand again. “You made a mistake. A bad choice. A decision in the heat of the moment with a whole lot of emotional backing, but you’ve apologized and explained everything. You made amends and straightened things out. I’ve forgiven you. Please, omega, try to forgive yourself.”
“I’m trying.”
Fraser leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Maybe we both need something to distract ourselves.”
Tingles ran down my spine and along my arms. “What did you have in mind? A movie?”
“No, omega, not a movie. I can’t stop thinking about our kiss the other night. How soft and sweet you were.”
“Alpha?” I asked as boldness swelled inside me. “Take me to bed.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.”