Page 11 of Love in Excess

Pulling out my phone, I catch one of Hunter’s texts as if he already knows what’s going on in my head.

Don’t try to find him, baby girl. Just let it happen.

Go to that ice cream place you like and maybe grab a new pillow for your nest.

I glare at the screen, hating how much my Alpha understands me. My fingers hover over the keyboard, about to tell him just why I won’t be doing that when my phone pings with another message.

They have a new flavor.

My eyes widen as I text him.

What flavor? Why didn’t you say anything?

I pop out of my seat and rush across the street, apologizing when one of the cars has to screech to a halt. I’m not really sorry, more focused on finding whatever this new flavor is. The small shop comes into view, only a few people gathered around the window.

Marshmallow Caramel Swirl.

My nose scrunches up at the combination of those flavors but I’m going to try it anyway and then force Hunter to do the same if I don’t like it. I can’t get to the counter fast enough, perching myself on one of the benches once I’ve got my cone in hand, slathered in enough rainbow sprinkles to feed an army.

“You better be good,” I tell myself before taking a large chomp off the top. The flavors are delectable, running into each other, the bits of marshmallow crème a perfect addition. I wriggle on the bench, letting out a little squeal of happiness before I take another small bite, something Hunter finds barbaric.

Well,everyonedoes.

But then it melts too fast and licking my hands seems worse.

I lose myself in my own little world, whittling my cone down to just the end, panting drawing me out of my head. At first, I don’t see anything until something wet hits my thigh, a very happy German shepherd puppy sitting beside me. Her eyes are firmly on the rest of my cone, her tongue hanging out as she waits patiently.

“Where are your parents?” I ask playfully, taking another little chomp of my cone. The puppy whines, stomping her front feet before scooting forward. She’s too damn cute to ignore as I feed her the last half of my cone, looking around to see who could possibly have lost their dog. That’s when I catch a faint whiff of hazelnut coffee, the scent lingering as I run my fingers through the dog’s fur.

Upon further inspection, I find her name.

“Jasmine, is your daddy, Lincoln? God, I hope it is.” Jasmine wags her tail, her eyes following my ice cream coated fingers. “Let’s go find your Beta so I can ask him out on a date.” The puppy has no idea what I’m saying but I stand up anyway, unsure of which direction to go first. One step to the left and I find a very shirtless Lincoln jogging up to the bench, his face twisted up in confusion.

“Fuck, sorry. She usually doesn’t run off like that. Celeste? What are you doing here?”

I point to the stand. “I came for ice cream and apparently Jasmine did too.” I smile up at Lincoln, taking in the sweat glistening on his shoulders and dripping down his chest.Muscles for days.I had no idea he was hiding all of that beneath his uniform yesterday. My scent blooms, betraying my thoughts and in turn, Lincoln’s face pinks.

His scent thickens with mine until we’re both breathing a little harder and I have to squeeze my thighs together to keep from doing anything embarrassing. However, the way he just kind of awkwardly stands there, his eyes darting away for a split second, trying to assess the situation warms my heart. Yeah, Lincoln’s the one I want. No question.

He bends down to grab Jasmine’s leash from the grass, his German shepherd wagging her tail like she’s in on the whole thing. “So, Celeste,” he says, a small crack in his voice that shows just how nervous he is, “are you feeling better?”

I beam, my grin stretching so wide it hurts my cheeks. “I’m doingamazing,” I say, leaving off the ‘now that you’re here’. Hunter said not to scare off Lincoln and I’m trying. I didn’t even try to look him up first. “Hunter told me all about how you defended my honor last night.” I tilt my head, letting my rose scent bloom a little, just to see if he’ll blush again. He does.Score.

Lincoln rubs the back of his neck, his fluffy blond hair catching the sunlight. “I would’ve done it for anyone,” he mumbles, glancing down at Jasmine like she’s gonna back him up.

A sharp laugh tumbles from my lips as I stand up, catching his wandering gaze. It’s different than with Hunter. With Hunter, I feel seen. With Lincoln, I feel like he’s making sure I’m okay, waiting for me to ask a question so that he can fulfill it. “That’s when you say thank you, Lincoln.”

Before he can dodge, I step closer, rise on my tiptoes, and press a quick kiss to his cheek. His skin’s warm, a little stubbly, and I linger just long enough to feel his scent spike again. That’s probably too much but I would have done more. “I’d very much like to take you on a date. Coffee date, maybe? That new diner down the street?”

Lincoln stays silent for several seconds, blinking down at me like I’ve lost my mind. I have and if Hunter hadn’t swiped me up when he had, I might have found myself in more trouble when it came to the men I liked in my bed. I’ve been told time and time again I’m too forward for an Omega but I don’t care. I know what I want and Hunter said it’s okay to take. So… I’m taking.

For a moment, I think that Lincoln is going to refuse. His gaze is firmly locked on my face but his nostrils are flared, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down before he speaks. “Yeah,” he says, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’d like that. Heard the diner has really good paninis.”

I rock back and forth on the balls of my feet, my sneakers squeaking against the pavement. “Do you work today? Can we do lunch, like, right now?”

Lincoln chuckles, and it’s this low, warm sound that makes my stomach flutter. “Yeah, I’m off today. Just need to get home and take a shower first.”

“Oh, good. I’ll wait. And bring Jasmine. They let dogs sit outside at the diner.”

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