Page 25 of The Omega's Surprise Baby
“Yeah. It gets kind of intense in there.”
“It was intense in there because of you,” he said. His lips tugged up slightly. “You're amazing on stage. I don't know where you pull that energy from, but it's something else.”
His praise warmed me, and I felt some of the exhaustion fall off me. “I sing about things that matter to me. That makes it easier.”And so much harder at the same time.
Shane nodded. “It really sounds like that.” He stopped speaking, but his lips stayed slightly parted as if there was something else he wanted to say but didn't know how.
I stepped up to him and laid a hand on his shoulder, feeling the need to touch him, even if it was in a non-sexual way. “I'm pretty sure there's nothing you can say or ask that I haven't already been asked or told by some stupid reporter.”
“Perhaps, but I don't want to treat you like a stupid reporter.”
“I can see that. It's what I...” I stopped myself from finishing that sentence.It's what I like about you.There was no point in telling him that, was there? “You're safe,” I said instead. “I'm giving you a free pass to ask whatever stupid question you want to ask without being mad. Consider it payment for your hospitality.”
“Okay then.” Slowly, Shane reached a hand up and rested it on top of mine, which I still hadn't removed from his shoulder. He looked like he didn't even realize he was doing it, eyes focused on mine. I had no idea where this tenderness was coming from or how I deserved it. I'd only known this alpha for a day or two, but it felt right. Shane licked his lips. “Who do you think of when you're singing?”
The question took me aback. It wasn't the first time I'd been asked that, but I hadn't expected it now. I was still feeling a bit raw from pouring my emotions out on stage too. I didn't want to talk about this now. If it had been anyone but Shane before me, I would have told them to pick another question. But itwasShane, and the way he looked at me, I knew he wouldn't judge me, or—even worse—pity meif I told him.
“You don't have to respond if you don't want to,” Shane said, sensing my hesitation.
“It's fine.” I squeezed his shoulder, and he squeezed my hand. “Could we go somewhere less public, though?”
Shane chuckled at that. I liked the sound. Warm and low. He looked around. The sun was beginning to set, giving the small town around us a golden glow. “We can go back to my place.”
“What about your kids?” I asked.
He flashed me a smile that was almost devious. “After Conner dragged me off the dance floor, I asked my mom to take them for the night.”
My eyebrows went up. “Why?”
He dropped his hand from his shoulder and put it on my hip instead. The warmth of his skin seared through my clothes. “I'm not sure I can get through the rest of the night without doing something crazy. And when I do, I don't want my kids around for it.”
I cocked my head, intrigued. “Something crazy?”
“Something really crazy,” he confirmed, his gaze darting to my lips.
“Like what?”
“How about we make a deal?” he suggested. “When we're home, you'll answer my question, and I'll answer yours.”
“Deal.” I gave him my hand to shake on the deal, and he didn't release it as he started walking.
I found that I didn't want him to.
10
Kade
Everyone else was stillat the party when we made it back to Shane's place.
Convenient.
I couldn't stop the thought from crossing my mind. I shouldn't want to be alone with Shane, but I did. I wanted to be alone with him more than anything. God, I had it bad. It was ridiculous.
Shane led me to the living room. “Sit,” he said. “You must be tired.”
“I'm fine.” But I sat anyway. He lowered himself on the couch next to me, leaving a few inches between us. “So what's the crazy thing you want to do?” I asked, eyeing the empty space between us. He was still close enough for me to smell him, and he smelled so good right now. I wanted to lick him.
“Nope,” he said. “The deal was that you answer my question first.”
