Page 85 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
A honk from some pissy driver stuck behind us has me pulling away. “Safety first,” I say, winking.
She huffs out a strained laugh, her face still flushed as I pull back onto the road.
God, I love how she turns pink at the slightest provocation. At this rate, I’m going to have a hard time keeping my promise not to tease her at the nest store.
28
By the timewe’ve made the thirty-minute drive to Nesting, my cheeks hurt from laughing, and I’m testing the slick absorbing capacity of my fancy omega undies.
Jackson is even better than I’d imagined. Yes, there was an intrinsic comfort I experienced when I smelled his scent card, and I know I can trust him after he took care of me so well during my heat, but spending time with him, and getting to see more of him, is a delight.
It feels like we’ve known each other for years.
When we pull into the parking lot of the megastore on the outskirts of the city, I’m actually excited to explore it with him instead of dreading the challenge of figuring out what the hell to buy.
He’s out of the car and rounding over to my side to hold a hand out to me before I can get out on my own, and we both chuckle as he does a little bow. His hand is warm and comforting around mine, and that feeling spreads up my arm and suffuses through my body when he doesn’t let go. Jacksonholds my hand as we walk to the entrance like it’s the most natural thing to do in the world. Which, honestly, it might be.
I always scoffed when Astrid professed she knew Jeff was “the one” after their first date. I chalked it up to her romantic side and rose-tinted memories.
But now?
I think after that car ride, I already know Jackson is meant to be mine.
It’s not the same as what I have with Ambrose—that chemical level pull that leaves me struggling to control my omega and not climb into the older alpha’s lap and rub myself against him. Jackson’s earl gray tea with a splash of sugar and cream scent makes my omega very happy, but it doesn’t cloud my logic with base neediness. Instead, it’s all of Jackson that has me wanting him—his wit, silliness, kindness, and, yes, his good looks and the way he makes my stomach flutter and fill with desire.
Never in a million years would I have dared to match with Jackson on a dating app or go up to him at a bar. He’s so far out of my league, he might as well be in space. And that would’ve been a shame, because after a half hour car ride, our compatibility is inarguable.
“Thoughts on where we should start?” Jackson gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
I flush, realizing he caught me gazing at him in a besotted stupor. Though, I’m not as embarrassed when he returns the look with an equally adoring grin.
Jackson tugs me closer, and I stumble over to him, bracing a hand on his firm pec so I don’t collide with him. Leaning down, he brushes his lips against my cheek, barely making contact, then brings his mouth to my ear. “Cami, you can’t look at me like that if you want me to keep my promise.”
Goosebumps erupt all over my skin and heat pools between my thighs. I look up at the gorgeous beta, his warm brown skin somehow glowing under the fluorescent lights of the store entryway.
“Sorry, you’re just ridiculously handsome,” I say, sounding breathless.
A wide grin stretches his lips. “Oh yeah? You like how I look?”
I roll my eyes at his cocky smile, which helps to ease some of the sexual tension. I give his chest a soft push. “I’d have to be blind not to. Now stop fishing for more compliments and get your game face on.”
Jackson presses his lips into a firm line and nods solemnly. “Yes, ma’am. Serious omega shopping only from here on out.”
With a chuckle, I tug him inside. As soon as I see the expanse of departments filled with anything and everything an omega might need, I freeze.
Jackson almost collides with my back, stumbling to a stop beside me. “You okay?”
I look up at him, eyes widening a little as stress bleeds back in. “I didn’t expect it to be so big.”
The goofy beta’s mouth quirks. “I get that a lot.”
His joke melts away some of the tension, and I shake my head at him. “Is this whole trip going to be you making dick jokes?”
“That depends,” he says, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
“On what?”
“On how long it takes to get you relaxed enough to enjoy this.” He releases my hand to place his palm on the small of my back. “Let’s check out the nesting materials first.”
