His jaw dropped. “You asked her on a date? And she said yes? That’s amazing.”
“To be honest, I just suggested spending the day together. And she did say yes.”
“Close enough. Represent us well!”
“I’ll do my best.”
As soon as Anathea disappeared into her bedroom, wrapped in a voluminous bathrobe that somehow managed to be sexy, I also showered and dressed then joined her in the living room. “Ready?”
She smiled. “I am. What are we doing? I hope this is all right?” She wore jeans and a fitted tee with a lightweight hoodie.
“Absolutely. I thought we’d take a little hike and then go out to lunch?” I had considered suggesting a shift, but it felt so intimate with our omega, I’d hesitated.
“Yes! I don’t spend nearly enough time in nature, and I really love it.”
“Before we go, I noticed you don’t have a bandage on. You’ve shifted?”
“I did. My wolf told me it was time.”
“Perfect. Do you mind if I take a look at your hand?”
She held it out, and I cupped it in mine. “Looks great, right?”
Tracing the soft skin of her palm, I found no signs she’d ever been hurt. “Excellent.” Reluctantly I let go, hoping more opportunities would present for holding her hands in a non-medical way. “All right, then. Let’s go.”
We took her car because I’d arrived with the other guys in Carter’s truck. And while I was tempted to offer to drive, I resisted. We drove outside of town to a natural area, bought bottled water at the visitor center, and strolled the trails. It wasn’t the kind of place we’d shift, at least not in the summertime when lots of others were out there, but on two legs? We were just an ordinary pair exploring the native plantings and enjoying the birds and butterflies and small wildlife. Talking about small things like our work and the weather.
It was heaven.
We agreed on the diner for our lunch, a really good choice after our invigorating walk. Cheeseburgers, their huckleberry shakes, and a plate of onion rings “for the table,” at the suggestion of the very friendly and attentive server. It seemed every time I looked up, she was there asking if we needed anything else.
Chapter Thirteen
Anathea
I had to ask the question. All day, he didn’t look at another omega. And believe me, they tried ad nauseum to get his attention. The waitress at the diner bent over and practically shoved her boobs in his face.
Then again, who could blame her? Not me. Elias’ charm and smile were contagious. And when he looked at me, I felt like the only omega in the world.
And big bonus points, he only looked at his phone to answer texts from Carter and Jayden. Texts about me and my welfare. Also to tell him that they were jealous of the time he was getting with me.
Enough to make a girl blush from head to toe, and I tested that theory several times.
We were sitting on a park bench, people strolling past us as I waited for his answer.
“Anathea, today is whatever you want it to be. I’ll take whatever it is you want to give me.”
“Then it was a date.” Our day had been wonderful and the most fun I’d had in a long time. No pressure. No expectations. Just me and him and letting the day lead us where it may.
“I hoped you would say that.” He ducked his head. Elias? Bashful? “When you first came into the clinic, I took one look at you and hoped that you were available. So beautiful.” He tucked a stray hair behind my ear.
“Is that all I am to you? A pretty face?”
That earned me another smile from Elias. “No. Not at all. It enhances your inner beauty. Your strength. Your courage. Your steadfastness. You stood up for what you believed and against a life that would have had you in a cage and you chose yourself.All of you is beautiful.” My wolf forced a growl out of me and he laughed. “Ah, I bet she’s lovely as well.”
These three would have my head in the clouds if I wasn’t careful.
“At the clinic, your smell…it felt like my whole body came alive.”
