Page 56 of Pack Plus One

“Running from me, omega?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that makes my knees weak.

I swallow hard, my heart racing so fast I’m sure he can hear it. “I’m not running,” I manage, but my voice has come out embarrassingly breathy. “I’m just... busy.”

“Busy hiding in laundry rooms? Busy climbing out fire escapes?” His lips twitch, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Busy landing in dumpsters?”

My cheeks burn. “How did you?—”

“Your neighbor, Mrs. Finley, is quite the conversationalist.” His thumb traces circles on the inside of my wrist, sending shivers up my arm. And his eyes. Fuck. He’s looking at me as ifhe wants to take me inside and do some wicked things to me that I will definitely enjoy.No!Down girl! “She wanted to make sure I knew you were safe after your ‘accident.’”

“Traitor,” I mutter.

Caleb leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Because if you are running,” he adds, his voice dropping to a whisper that makes my core clench with want, “I’m very good at the chase.”

A whimper escapes me before I can stop it, and his scent deepens in response, heavy with alpha satisfaction.

“Caleb, I?—”

“I know,” he interrupts gently, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. “You need space. Time. I understand.”

“Then why are you here?” I ask. Fuck. I hate how vulnerable I sound.

His expression softens. “Because I wanted to make sure you were okay. And because I…needed to see you.” His honesty disarms me. “Just once. Then I’ll go. I promise.”

The simplicity of it, the quiet certainty in his voice, makes my chest ache. I should push him away. I should stand firm. I should?—

My hands rise to his chest of their own accord, not to push him away but to feel the solid warmth of him beneath my palms. His heart thunders beneath my touch, strong and steady.

“One minute,” I whisper. “Then you go.”

His lips curve into that barely-there smile that does dangerous things to my insides. “Deal.”

We stand there, my back against the door, his body a warm wall in front of me, neither of us moving. Just... breathing each other in. His scent wraps around me like a blanket, familiar now despite the short time I’ve known him.

“Your minute’s almost up,” I murmur, but I make no move to push him away.

“I know.” His eyes drop to my lips, then back to meet my gaze. “May I?”

The question—so formal, so respectful despite the possessive press of his body against mine—nearly undoes me.

I should say no. I should stand firm on my need for space, for time.

Instead, I nod, a tiny, almost imperceptible movement.

His lips meet mine in a soft, restrained, gentle claim. His hands frame my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones with a tenderness that makes my heart stutter.

I melt into him, my hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer despite all my earlier protests. He growls softly, the sound vibrating through both our bodies, and deepens the kiss just a fraction, waiting for me to take it.

And God help me, I want to.

The thought is like a bucket of cold water. I pull back abruptly, breaking the kiss, my breath coming in short gasps.

“Your minute’s up,” I whisper, unable to meet his eyes.

Caleb steps back immediately, his hands falling to his sides. “So it is.”

The sudden absence of his warmth makes me shiver, but I force myself to remain still, to not reach for him again.

“Leah.” His voice is gentle, but there’s a thread of steel running through it that makes me look up. “I meant what I said before. We’ll give you space. Time. Whatever you need.”

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