Page 41 of The Alpha Option
Blue was frying up bacon—a very serious occupation, Cassidy had learned, which involved multiple cast-iron pans and about five pounds of pig. Stephanie had stacks of waffles building on the side counter.
As ordered, Cassidy took care of the coffee because it turned out she was the only one who could make the ancient coffee maker behave.
And Jace—
She paused and took a closer look at what he was doing. “Are those strawberries?”
It was a pile of the smallest red fruit she’d ever seen. But from the sound of approval from Blue, it appeared her guess was right.
“Damn, you found a lot.” Blue nodded with approval and then got a glint in his eyes.
“Don’t even think about trying to find my secret patch,” Jace warned. He worked busily, removing the tiniest little green caps. He paused and took one of the berries that was no bigger than a pinky fingernail. “Come here.”
Cassidy stepped forward, hand outstretched. He shook his head then closed the distance between them, pressing a hand to her lower back and holding her tight to him as he lifted the strawberry to her lips. “Open up.”
As the berry fell on her tongue, she closed her lips around his finger and licked the sweet juice clean. His pupils dilated, and a flash of heat rolled through her even as the flavour burst in her mouth. “Oh. My. God.”
Jace’s gaze dropped to her lips. “Wild strawberries. Everything wild is just that much better.”
Like her wild wolf? Cassidy wanted another taste.
They hadn’t had a repeat of their incredible sexual escapade, and in some ways, it felt right not to rush in again. But that craving was there, and their connection and the entire conversation she’d had with Del kept repeating in her head.
Were she and Jace mates? What about the whole wolf connection? How was she to know if this was the right thing, and how did it all fit with the pack?
The questions followed her after breakfast and into the day as they finished preparations for their guests.
Pack members began arriving around eleven o’clock. Families carrying picnic coolers made their way down to the sandy lakeshore. Welcome shouts rang out and hearty handshakes were given as Jace introduced people to Cassidy and Stephanie.
Nearly everyone gave Cassidy a hard once-over. She didn’t feel as if it were judgmental or she was being found lacking. More like a healthy curiosity followed by a dollop of approval.
It was always nice to have people nod their head as opposed to feeling the pressure and lack of respect she used to face at her old job.
And there was something very special about the moment when a sweet little girl came racing up and wrapped her arms around Cassidy’s knee.
“Well, hello there.” Cassidy leaned down to ruffle Dixie’s hair. “I remember you.”
Dixie let go and raised her hands in the air. “Up,” she commanded regally.
Cassidy gathered the little girl up and held her easily. “Where’s your mama?” she asked.
The girl’s head rested on Cassidy’s chest as Dixie popped her thumb in her mouth. A little one-shoulder shrug followed, but then she pointed back toward the edge of the beach. “Silly people.”
It only took a moment to spot Sophie. Cassidy moved in her direction and then realized there were a couple of women blocking Sophie in. Hands waved, and their angry tones of voice carried, and Cassidy detoured toward Stephanie.
Her friend looked up from where she was chatting with an older couple who had brought beach chairs and were applying a thick layer of sunscreen. “What’s up?”
Cassidy tilted her head to one side. “This is Dixie. Dixie, this is my bestie, Steph. Can you give her a cuddle? I need to do something.”
Like the sweet little thing she was, Dixie held her arms out. “Cuddle Steph.”
Stephanie snuggled her in and rubbed noses with the little girl. She only made a little noise when Dixie suddenly shifted into a wolf wearing a swimsuit. “Okey-dokey, let’s get you untangled.” Stephanie glanced at Cassidy. “You okay?”
“I will be,” Cassidy assured her. She scratched Dixie on the head. “You be a good girl for Stephanie. I’ll be right back.”
A straight-line march toward Sophie allowed Cassidy to overhear a few choice words. As she’d suspected, the two women were harassing Sophie.
“Did you really think we wouldn’t find out?”
