Page 11 of Knot Your Pucking Mate
I suspected she was an omega. Hell, I even told Chase I thought she was, despite the fact that I hadn’t been able to catch a whiff of her scent. On some biological, instinctual level, I knew.
But I never would have guessed she was my scent match.
Never.
Scent matches aren’t considered a rarity, but they aren’t exactly common, either. I never expected to find mine, despite being a romantic at heart. Well, not even at heart. I’m pretty freaking open about my love of romance novels.
Why does enjoying a romance novel have to emasculate me or be considered un-alpha like or a ‘pussy’ thing to do? If anything, alphas are hard-wired to be an omega’s bitch. At the heart of every instinct we have is the protection and care of our omega. They become the center of our pack. The heart of it. I challenge you to find an alpha who isn’t ultimately serving their omega.
My hands slide from Mandy’s hips to her lower back, holding her close as I reluctantly break off our kiss. The lobby was empty when Mandy arrived, but it won’t stay that way for long, and there’s not a chance in hell I want another alpha to scent her right now. Her perfume is thick and alluring—enough to cause a weaker alpha to lose his sensibility.
I refuse to put her in danger like that.
Pressing my lips softly to her neck before stepping back, I quickly grab her hand and lead her back toward the elevator.
“Where are we going?” she asks, a little breathless.
“Up to your apartment.”
She stops just outside the elevator doors, dropping my hand, and I instantly miss her touch. “Axel. No. I think you have the wrong idea.”
Her gaze drops to the floor, and she wrings her hands together in a nervous gesture. Confusion makes my brow furrow as I try to work out what she means.
“I’m not jumping straight into bed with you. I mean, I’m all for exploring sex and getting your rocks off and even one-night stands in the right circumstances…”
A low growl escapes me as I imagine her having had one-night stands before. Even the idea of another alpha touching her has my hackles up. “But this…” She glances up at me, gesturing between us before dropping her eyes to the floor once more. “This is important to me. I don’t want to rush it; despite the reaction my body is having. I had hoped you wouldn’t either.”
She thinks… Fuck. No.
“Mandy, baby,” I begin as the elevator doors open behind us. I reach for her arm, gently tugging her inside. She lets me, stepping into the small box with me, still not meeting my eyes. I punch the number for her floor as the doors close the two of us in. Her scent quickly fills the space, a somewhat sour note now weaving through it, making her disappointment clear. I need to fix that. “I’m not taking you back to your apartment because I expect you to jump straight into bed with me. That will come in time.”
I stroke my fingers gently up and down her arm where I had been holding it as I use my other hand to press my fingers underneath her chin and tilt her face to mine.
Her wide blue eyes sparkle in the fluorescent overhead lights as they lock with mine.
“I just want to keep you safe. You perfumed for me—only me—and there’s not a chance I want to let anyone else enjoy that scent or think you are fair game. I’m sorry I wasn’t clear about that.”
She stares at me for a minute, her pink lips forming a slight ‘o’ as she processes my words.
Without warning, she pushes up onto her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck, pressing her lips to mine softly once more.
“Sorry I jumped to conclusions,” she whispers as she pulls back. “Nothing you’ve done so far has given me any sign you are in this for an easy lay. It’s just that’s what most alphas in the past have wanted from me. An easy way to get their knot wet. Maybe I thought you were too good to be true and projected that onto you.”
“No apology necessary,” I insist as the elevator door opens with a ding. We step out together, Mandy’s hand finding its way into mine.
Holding hands might not seem like a big deal, but her hand fits in mine like it was made just for me. It feels like such a natural way to feel our connection.
We make our way to Mandy’s door in comfortable silence. It’s getting harder and harder to control myself with how strong her scent is around me. I want her. Want to strip her down and devour her. The need to see if she tastes as good as she smells is consuming. But that’s not what tonight is about. Finding out we’re scent matched was not on my date night bingo card, but I won’t let it ruin the purpose of tonight. And that is to get to know Mandy a little better and introduce her to my world.
Mandy drops my hand to unlock her apartment door, and I follow her inside into an open concept kitchen and living area. The space is modest and cozy, furnished with light oak furniture with cream fabrics and splashes of the color lilac.
“I won’t be long,” Mandy says as she heads towards a doorway off to the side. “Make yourself comfortable. Take a seat, riflethrough my drawers, rub your scent on that blanket—” she gestures to a purple knit blanket hanging over the arm of the couch in the living area. “You know, whatever feels right. I’ll be back in a sec.”
A snort escapes me, and she grins before disappearing down the hall. Who am I to deny a request from my scent-matched omega? I make my way directly to the blanket she pointed out, picking it up and throwing it over my shoulders, wrapping it tightly around me as I look around her space. It’s neat, tidy and open. The wall farthest from the front door is lined with windows with heavy cream drapes pulled to the side to let in the natural light and provide a view of the city below. The wall opposite the doorway Mandy just disappeared down is made entirely of shelves.
I wander over, curious about what my omega has on her shelves.
My omega.
