Page 39 of The Omega Archives: Part One

“I don’t have much to go off of,” Ella admitted, shyly. “But good. Very good. Though I will admit my bagel last time was pretty amazing.”

“The coffee wasn’t terrible either. We’ll have to go back someday before you head to work,” I agreed.

“Who’s to say I’m going to go out with you again?” she asked. She reached up to tuck her hair back behind her ear again, like a nervous tick.

“Please.” Seriously, I was about to beg her if there was even an ounce of uncertainty in her mind as her eyes scanned me from my skates back up to my eyes. Her gaze sparkled with greens and amber gold. “You can say it.”

“Say what?”

“You know you want me,” I said. “Come on, just a little bit?”

Unable to hide it even as she turned her face away from me, her smile only got wider.

I wish my packmates could see this. How she lit up for me.

Fuck, I’m so out of my depth now, boys.

Without meaning to, I turned and got a steady whiff of her as she relaxed into a rhythm next to me.

It was light, just a hint of scent on the tip of my tongue like honey. Maybe she was using some kind of topical blocker? I guess it was hard enough to be on a first date without fearing the guy would be all over you.

Still, I wanted a taste.

I ran my nose against her cheek, marking her before I realized that was exactly what I was doing.

It took everything I had not to scream it, the way everyone looked at her. Why shouldn’t they though? She was smart and gorgeous and had a killer laugh.

Mine.

“You smell good.”

Ella froze. Taking a deep breath, she smiled again. “Thanks. You do too.”

I grinned wider. “Really? What do I smell like?”

She looked around as if anyone was listening. They were all swaying to their beat.

“What?” I chuckled. “Tell me.”

“You smell like a marshmallow.”

“You’re kidding.”

She shook her head, hair swaying in each direction as she reached out for both of my hands. Leaning in, she took her own very prevalent sniff. “Sweet and soft. Like candied vanilla.”

“Are you getting tired?” I asked her after taking another lap around the rink. I dipped my mouth towards her ear.

After a second, she nodded.

“Let’s get out of here then, yeah?”

This time when Ella got in the car, she seemed almost relaxed. A small smile held on her lips as she buckled up and leaned back into the passenger seat. Night had taken over the street, street lamps lighting our way back towards campus like beacons. I took each turn as she navigated back to her place, though it didn’t look far from where I picked her up.

“You can pull over here wherever you can,” she directed.

Carefully, I found a spot to parallel park.

Eyebrows raised, she looked mildly impressed.

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