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“So good I could use a drink.” I fan myself. “You want one?”
He steps into my space, a little too close. “Beautiful, I want everything with you.”
I suck in a breath, unsure if I imagined it or if he said that out loud.
His hand traces my cheek, and as if he can hear my doubts, he says, “I know you don’t know me yet, and the situation with your ex sounds complicated, but I meant what I said. For now, how about I’ll take that drink?”
He walks past me into the house while I fish-face the whole situation. What the fuck does that even mean? And can betas even date omegas? How does that work? Don’t they need alphas?
I let the excitement and longing fizzle out. It doesn’t matter. As if I have time to date.
In the kitchen, he’s washing his hands. He points at the letter from the rental company sitting on the counter. “I was being nosy again, but rent hikes suck.”
“Yup. I’m looking for a new place.” I hand him a towel.
He leans against the counter, watching me move about the kitchen.“You can’t leave. We only just met,” he says, giving me big puppy dog eyes.
I shrug. “We’ll see. I gotta find something cheaper, but I’m trying to stay in town. I need a new sitter too. Honestly, I’m a mess. You should run now.”
“Not happening.” Finn runs his fingers through his curls. “And if you need childcare, one of my sisters owns Primrose. I can call her.”
A laugh of disbelief spills out. “No offense, but my bank account isn’t set up for Primrose.” I grab glasses from the cabinet and turn back to him. “I’ve got Dr. Pepper, iced tea, water, milk. Take your pick.”
“Tea, please. But I’m serious about Primrose. Let me make some calls tomorrow and get back to you. What do you pay now?”
“I was paying one fifty a week.”
“All right. Can I talk to her? See if she has a spot for Emmaline? Is it every weekday?”
My pride wants me to say no, but that would be cutting off my nose to spite my face. If I’m anything in my reformed alpha-chaser era, it’s practical. “Okay. But no more charity for tonight.”
“It’s not charity,” he grumbles, that pout back in his voice. It’s endearing, as if he’s never once been told no. He’s an omega. Maybe he never had been. “But I promise no more trying to fix shit tonight.”
I busy myself pouring drinks, feeling his eyes tracing my every move. It’s nice to feel wanted, even if nothing can come from it.
I hand him the glass, and our fingers brush in the trade-off, sending that spark of awareness through my body. It’s unusual but similar to my reaction to that alpha, Reid. Maybe I have a thing for hot neighbors. Or perhaps I need to get laid.
But even though I want this man, I don’t think a one-night stand would be enough. I’d be too greedy, then needy. I can see that through to its end. The sexual tension is thick between us, and I feel myself moving in despite knowing I shouldn’t.
I force myself to back away at the last moment, and his lips brush my forehead. The gesture makes my belly swoop and my heart ache.
“How do you know Reid?” I ask, grabbing the first question I can, changing the subject. I take two giant steps away from this beautifully dangerous man in my kitchen.
Finn’s head tilts, his face contorted in confusion. “He’s my alpha.”
Those words hit like a freight train, pummeling through me. Reid is his alpha? But why would he be flirting with me? Why would Reid?
My gut burns with shame when I realize why. I’m a Cooper, a Crawley town girl. That’s code for an easy lay. I met Reid with a fucking cop who had it out for me. There’s no way Officer Slick didn’t tell him all about my family history.
“I need you to leave. Now.”
“What?” he asks, face falling.
“I said I want you to leave.” I grit the words, my stomach cramping.
Naïve. Always so naïve.
He sets down his glass and grabs his tool bag, shuffling to the front door. At the threshold, he turns on me. Finn looks as gutted as I feel, his bright green eyes searching mine. I let him see the truth: I will not be another play toy. Not again.
