It was an attempt to lower the heat burning between us, and that was fine
I would wait for Aries until she was ready. All this flirting was only going to make it that much sweeter when I finally got to taste her.
Chapter
Sixteen
Leon
The tension between my omega and I rose to a level I couldn’t ignore. Bowling was fun and playful, until it turned flirty.
Neither of us took it too far… but I could feel my entire body lean toward her like a magnet, my attention forever split between her and the rest of the world.
As much as I wanted to claim her, to find peace with my omega, I wasn’t sure either of us was really in the headspace to take our relationship to that level.
It was too soon, right?
Her scent teased me as much as she did. The sweet and tart mix of champagne, grapefruit, and vanilla was strong enough it lingered on my skin when she brushed against me.
Or maybe it had simply imprinted on me, my mind clinging to it like a lifeline in this chaotic life.
How was it only a few weeks ago I was escaping my own personal hell and now I was here?
There was no denying that her scent went beyond smelling incredible. I was drawn to her in a way that I’ve never felt before. I trusted her implicitly already.
Only fate could have taken two broken souls like ours and led us together in a place that was near impossible to find.
Aries seemed oblivious to my tumultuous thoughts, her smile bright as she hooked her arm in mine and led me out into the evening air.
“You know, tonight is the most normal I’ve felt in a long time,” she said as we climbed into her SUV.
Her cheeks were pink from laughing and the excitement in her eyes was making the blue-gray seem even brighter, almost metallic. She was gorgeous.
“Same here,” I said honestly. “I didn’t expect to find that here.”
“This place has a way of bringing out the best in all of us. A life without fear can do that,” she said as she turned the key in the ignition.
When I said nothing I felt her gaze land on me. I tried to paste on a smile, but she frowned.
“Is something bothering you, Leon? Did you not have a good time?”
She seemed so worried, and I hated that I was bringing the evening down.
“Nothing like that. I had a great time. It just felt like things were heating up, and…’ I trailed off, fighting with myself to find the words and not make a fool of myself. But Aries deserved my honesty. “I’m embarrassed to say, I’ve never been with someoneIchose. I really like you, and I don’t want to mess this up.”
“If you’ve never chosen, then this is your first time. We go at your pace,” she promised, her eyes burning with conviction. This omega had a way of chasing away every fear I had. “I’ve had time to come to terms with mine. I’ve been with a few men here andthere but I wasn’t interested in more than that. With you, I think I’m ready to try for more. When you are, of course.”
“I want that, too. I’m ready. I just don’t want to do something you’re not comfortable with.”
“We’ll take it slow and see where we get,” she said easily. “There’s no wrong way to do this.”
“We’re mates, right?” I whispered. “Scent-matches?”
“Yes, I think so,” she agreed, eyes burning into mine.
“I’m glad my first time is you, then,” I said, embracing her logic.
They didn’t get to take anything else from me. They’d taken so much over the years that this was all mine.
