Page 13 of Love in Excess

Her eyes widen as she chews faster, her gaze searching my expression. “Do you not like my scent?” she asks, a nervous edge to her question. “Or is it something I did? Is it Jasmine? I can stop—”

“Sweetie, it’s not you,” I say, pulling my hand back, my fingers tingling all over again. “Really. I’m just…” I hesitate, not sure how truthful I should be when this is the first date we’ve had. “I like your scent. And your Alpha’s. Maybe a little too much.”

Her face lights up, a deviant grin spreading so wide it crinkles her eyes. “I was a bit worried after Carter,” she says, wiping her hands on a napkin. “So, I had Hunter scent me. I hope you don’t mind.” She leans closer, her voice dropping like she’s sharing a secret. “He likes you too, so don’t worry.”

My stomach flips, and not just from her words. It makes sense that Hunter would scent her, especially after an incident likeyesterday but it’s fucking with my emotions and my need for release. I only mildly reacted to their scents yesterday but it’s as if right now, my body is fully accepting that we’re supposed to be together.

Celeste cleans off the rest of the dessert pizza while I just lean back in my seat, wondering how I got tangled up in them so fast. It doesn’t even make any sense how I went from a routine yesterday morning to a date. With an Omega. Who askedmeout.

The woman beside me pops up out of her seat suddenly before ruffling Jasmine’s fur and then looking at me. She doesn’t say anything, almost as if she’s waiting for me to take the next step. When I don’t make a move, she just grins. “Let me go pay really quick.”

“Sweetie,” I reach for my wallet to produce my card but she pushes my hand away.

“I asked you out. So, I’m paying. And let’s be honest, this is Hunter’s money. You can pay next time.”

I want to fight her but the happiness rolling off of her that comes with taking charge has me just nodding. “Fair enough but then I’m walking you home.”

“Deal.”

Celeste jogs over to the podium by the door and offers her card as I gather up Jasmine. We meet at the curb, taking a walk through the more residential area of our city. Once again, Celeste fills the silence with her vast knowledge. I still don’t have to say anything, these moments easier than anything else I have experienced over the years.

And then there’s Jasmine, her head tilted toward Celeste, my puppy’s tongue dangling out the side of her mouth like she’s never been happier.

It just all feels so… perfect.

And yet, just a little too fast.

I don’t even realize we’ve made it to Celeste’s house until she tugs on my arm, pointing to the ranch-style house a few feet away. “This is me.” Her grin spreads across her face as she steps toward me, only an inch or two of space between us. “I had a lot of fun. Can we go on another date?”

My heart does a little flip as I try to steady my voice. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

She rocks back and forth on her heels, the energy buzzing through her both comforting and terrifying. Before I can brace myself, she surges up, her lips crashing into mine. I freeze against her, my brain short-circuiting at the warmth of her mouth, the faint taste of cinnamon still lingering from that dessert pizza.

My hands stay firmly planted at my sides, one wrapped in Jasmine’s collar, unsure of what to do. But that uncertainty doesn’t last long, my free hand moving to cup the side of her neck. And then I’m kissing her back, the combination of her and Hunter’s scents dragging me under. My body floods with warmth, my cock thickening between my thighs against my will. There’s no doubt she can feel me, Celeste pressing closer until she’s had her fill.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, but I just really wanted to know how you taste.”

Well,fuck.I try to shield my growing erection, managing a tight smile to hopefully hide how much I love Celeste’s forwardness. “I had fun, sweetie. Don’t get yourself in any trouble, and let your Alpha know you’re home, okay?”

Her grin turns mischievous as she digs her phone out of her pocket. “Already taking care of me?” she teases, tapping at the screen. “Why don’t I give you his number, and you can text him that you brought me home safe and sound?”

I shake my head. “You’re gonna be trouble, aren’t you?” I nod toward her door. “Go inside so I can see you safely inside like a gentleman.”

She pouts, a playful thing that has me edging toward the end of my control. “Can I have another kiss?”

“Inside!” I playfully yell at her.

Celeste bends down to give Jasmine one last rustle before rushing up the walkway and into the house. I stay long enough to see her wave at me and then the door closes. The sigh I’ve been holding in finally escapes, a bit of relief following.

Hunter wasn’t wrong when he said that Celeste would be a lot. However, I kind of like it. No, Ireallylike it. It’s the complete opposite from some of the other packs I have been around that demand my attention but never give it in return.

Jasmine whines at my side as we make our way back down the street, her head tilted toward Celeste’s house. “You really liked her, didn’t you?” I muse. “I do too, Jazz. I think I’m going to get myself in trouble with those two.”

The thought doesn’t seem as terrifying as it did a day or two ago.

HUNTER

We’ve been at this shit for an hour, sprawled in the small sitting area outside of the interrogation room. I’m surrounded by a handful of officers and Ruiz, all of us staring through the one-way glass. Inside, Officer Daniels is grilling some no-name drug dealer, trying to squeeze out a contact’s name.

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