Page 25 of Marking Mia

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Jace

Ihate the cold.

“Tell me again why we’re lurking outside the cafe instead of going in?” I ask.

Finn insisted we watch from outside today and hasn’t explained why. My leather jacket barely keeps out the chill wind, and I want nothing more than to be in the cafe. Warm and closer to Mia.

And her delicious scent.

Finn doesn’t take his eyes off the cafe. “Because you’re way too eager. I don’t want you doing anything that might give it all away.”

“I’m the one who found her,” I remind him.

The reasoning annoys me. Sometimes, it feels like the others treat me like a reckless pup. I’m an alpha just like them, but they seem to think I need to be kept on a leash most days. The suggestion that I might act poorly around Mia is especially frustrating.

Still, I choose not to push back here in case I end up proving Finn's point.

“We know that, and we are eternally grateful that you did. But we all know how you are.”

“Listen, I’ve been thinking…” I start.

“That’s dangerous.”

“Shut up and listen,” I argue. “If we want Mia to trust us, we need to test the waters. Ease her into this. That way, when we approach her with the truth, she’ll be less likely to run screaming."

Finn considers this, rubbing his jaw. “What do you suggest?”

“We approach her today. Ask her out to something casual.”

“That’s... not a terrible idea,” he admits.

“I’m capable of those from time to time,” I quip.

I turn my attention back to the cafe. Mia passes by the window, and I get a full view of her generous curves. Her body is perfect. Today, she wears a scoop-neck sweater that reveals the barest hint of cleavage.

Those full breasts would feel so good in my hands. I can imagine her breath hitching as my thumbs trace along her stiff nipples, her pupils large with arousal. She runs her tongue across her full lips, watching every move I make, eager for more.

I’d bend her over the counter, one hand drifting down to cup her warm, needy pussy. Her moans would sound so sweet as I teased her, tracing my fingers along the seam of her jeans.

God, she would look so beautiful, greedy for more.

“Looks like her shift is ending,” Finn says, breaking my daydream.

Sure enough, Mia is heading to the back, untying her apron. As she does so, my pulse quickens, knowing she’ll be passing by in only a few moments.

“She knows me,” Finn says. "Let me introduce you, and we can go from there, okay?”

Finn always has a plan. And backup plans for his backup plans. It’s fucking annoying, but it always works.

We take a seat on a bench near the café. According to Finn, Mia will walk right by it on her way home.

I wrap my jacket tighter around myself and bounce my foot on the pavement. After all this time watching, I am eager to meet Mia. Watching from outside her bedroom window has been fun, but I want her to see me and know me. My heart is pounding at the thought of talking to Mia for the first time.

What if she hates me?

About three minutes later, Mia walks past, bundled up in a threadbare gray coat. She has a scarf wrapped around her neck and a knit hat on her head. Even bundled up, she looks exquisite.

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