Page 72 of Talk About… History

He padded over to the counter and leaned against it.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked around a yawn.

“No. Why are you up, it looks like you did sleep some,” I asked, curious what brought him out here when I was genuinely quiet.

“Beagles are bed hogs,” he laughed softly. “And I felt like I needed to come in here.” He shrugged, even though the sentiment didn’t make sense. It wasn’t like we were bonded. Hell, we had only just found out about… us.

I still was shaken by that. Everything about this alpha called to me. He was attractive, turned me on by simply existing, and his flirty nature always had me blushing.

But I didn’t know how to be with him. I’d never been with an alpha before.

“Do I make you nervous, Cohen?” Ford asked, his voice gentle. “I’m not trying to. I can try and rein in the flirty comments.”

“No, don’t change… it’s just… me.”

“You?” he prompted, stepping closer so his coffee and cream scent filled the air and stole my breath. He was overwhelming even when he wasn’t trying. It felt like if I gave in, I’d drown in this alpha.

“I’ve never…” I trailed off again, chewing on my bottom lip to stop from embarrassing myself.

“Been with an alpha,” he concluded. “Don’t worry, Cohen, I would never make you do anything you weren’t comfortable with. If it takes years, it takes years. I’m just happy to have you.”

I blinked at him in shock.

Years. That seemed insane. Hell, I didn’t even think my anxiety would allow for such a long wait. But taking our time? That sounded reasonable.

“Can we just...take it slow? Give me time to get used to the idea and work up to it, be patient with me?”

“Always,” he promised, his hand ghosting over my cheek and settling on my neck, tilting my head back so I looked up at him. “You’re mine, Cohen. I want you to want this as much as I do.”

With that, he leaned in and placed his lips on mine. The kiss was slow and sensual, promising me he could be gentle with me. When he pulled away, my cock was hard and I almost grabbed him, tugging him back.

Instead, I watched him leave, offering a soft ‘good night’ and a smirk before disappearing back down the hall.

I poured my tea and smiled to myself, some of the tension unknotting in my chest.

As I sipped my tea and let my mind settle, I knew that I would put everything into finding a new normal with this pack and my mates. We were all meant to be together and even if both Avery and I needed to take things slower than most, I knew we had a pack that would support us.

Avery

Waking up alone was awful. Now that I knew I could wake up to warm puppies or sexy mates, my old bed just felt cold and lonely.

After the heavy conversations with Maverick and Lance, I wanted the night to think it all over.

Now, I was over it.

Yet, I still dragged my feet getting ready. It wasn’t necessarily avoiding them now, it was more knowing that the moment I was back with them, it would be pivotal. Things would be officially changed and I’d have to stop holding myself back.

Grabbing my laptop to check emails and notifications, I headed downstairs to set up in the kitchen… where there was coffee.

The kitchen was silent but a half-empty pot of coffee was on the warmer and a covered plate of waffles rested on the counter.

Mama was usually up and moving around in the morning. I was walking toward her room before I could stop myself, concern and worry bubbling up. She’d been tired lately, a little off, and I had meant to check back in with her.

The sound of her TV drifted through the closed door and I knocked gently. Her voice was hoarse when she answered.

“Come in.”

I pushed open the door and nearly gasped at how messy her place was. Clothes scattered about, blankets piled high on her bed.

---