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This train of thought can’t be good for my health; just the brief fantasy of what Noah might sound like in my bed has me feeling too warm—and I actually reach to give both my cheeks a light slap to snap myself out of it. That’sdefinitelya dangerous line of thought. One to be tucked away, I think. I sigh as I get back to work, willing my thoughts to stay in relatively safe territory.
I’m still completely aware I have to ask Noah to dinner. Dinner with my gran. Dinner with my gran who will be smelling Noah all over me and most likely coming to the same conclusions as all my coworkers. Conclusions that involve me spending a considerable amount of time underneath the big, hunky alpha who is probably the hottest person I’ve ever dated—fake or no.
Fuck.
8
Noah
A week ago,dinner with Mackenzie’s grandmother had been little more than a potential headache. Just something I assumed I would have to get through.
Now the idea of it is fucking terrifying.
I’ve been trying to pick apart what happened in that supply closet for the last forty-eight hours, something that hasn’t gotten any clearer in the time leading up to me picking Mackenzie up for dinner. I am not certain of much about the incident, but of one thing I am absolutely sure.
I almost kissed Mackenzie.
It’s unreasonable, and definitely ill-advised, but for one singular moment, there had been no other thoughts in my head outside of the glaring need to feel her mouth on mine. Something about her scent affects me like a drug; not only do I crave more and more of it after each exposure, but I seem to lose all reason when I breathe her in.
I had thought that the distance we’ve had between the strange moment in my office and now would be enough time to collect myself, but being trapped like this in such a small space with her sweetaroma clouding around me brings back the same foreign urges that had struck me when I’d scented her the day before.
Is it really just because I’ve forgone suppressants? I mean, since I am altogethernotas mated as we’ve led the hospital to believe, it would make sense for me to be distracted by many clashing scents in the hospital, given that there are a good number of female shifters working on my floor, not to mention the building as a whole.
So why is it only Mackenzie who seems to bother me like this?
“—are you even listening to me?”
I blink, remembering where I am, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter and flicking my eyes to the passenger seat, where Mackenzie is looking at me strangely. She’s wearing her hair down, the thick mass falling against one shoulder as she cocks her head at me. She’s wearing a long-sleeved dress that is slightly formfitting but blessedly nowhere near as much as her yoga clothes—not that it’s stopped me from wanting to look. I have definitely tried to make sure to keep my eyes on only the road since she got into the car.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “Just nervous.”
“Seriously, you don’t have to be,” she laughs. “I can’t even begin to explain to you what a jackpot you are in the eyes of Moira Carter. You actuallycouldbelong to some secret underground alpha biker gang, and she would tell you she thinks it’s absolutely delightful.”
“It seems like your grandmother is more concerned with you settling down in general rather than having any real preferences as to who you might do it with.”
Mackenzie is still smiling despite my concern. “It’s not like that, exactly. I think she worries about leaving me on my own. I was kind of a mess when I came to them—I mean, just your average preteen hormonal depression that made me into a bit of a mute for a fewmonths, but... I don’t know. Even now that I’m an adult, she never stops worrying about me.”
“She wants to make sure you’re taken care of,” I muse.
“Mhm.” Mackenzie makes an amused sound. “Hasn’t quite come around to the novel idea that I can take care of myself.”
“If anyone could,” I murmur to no one.
I don’t see her smile, but I can feel it, I think.
“Good thing I’m bringing home a nice alpha to make sure my den is good and protected so that I can give him pretty babies while he gathers food.”
“Your gran’s ideal ending, I presume.”
“Yeah. Whatever. I know she means well.”
“I’ll be sure to convince her that you will have a very nice den. Only the finest chicken carcasses for my mate.”
Mackenzie barks out a laugh. “Oh my God. You made a joke! Was that your first one? Are you hurt in any way?”
“Always a delight, you are.”
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just kind of fun.”
