Page 64 of Scent of Home

“No!” He almost shouts. “I’m not answering any more questions. No hypothetical what ifs, no real ones, none. The truth is, I’m here, this is me, you can have all of this for right now.” Locke stands up and paces the gap beside the bed. “I can give you this. Is that enough?”

I stare at him and nod slowly. “It’s enough.”

“I can’t stay with you. I won’t stay with you. That is the only promise I can give you and them. An end date. A timeline.”

I nod again slowly. Pain ripping through me and through the bond. Locke presses a hand to his chest, but he still hasn’t figured it out. Locke’s life is a secret that is going to end our time together, and he’s more trapped and miserable than anyone I’ve ever met.

I can’t fight when I don’t know who the enemy is. But I can plan. I can plot. Because if I’m giving up my life…I’m damn well keeping my omega.

“Come back to bed, Omega. Let me show you how much I appreciate what you can give.”

Locke’s eyes flash as he comes back to the bed, and when he crawls onto the mattress, I attack, pinning him to the bed and making sure he remembers exactly who I am and what I, too, can give.

Chapter eighteen

Locke

We’ve been everywhere. I’veseen the jams, the cakes, the knitting, the embroidery. Everyone has been up in our faces, talking to us, talking to Finn. It’s a perfectly quaint little town, and it would be absolutely charming, but for one glaring issue.

The distinct coldness everyone is showing Bray is getting on my nerves. They don’t talk to him, their eyes wash over him like he’s not even there. When he speaks, it’s like an icy chill descends.

I chew the inside of my cheek as I watch. Despite Bray’s situation, I’m not sure who has it worse. I’m adored by millions of strangers, but everyone I know hates me, but Bray has no one. He is an island of one.

Even the women who claim to have fucked him look at him with lust, desire, and a potent combination of derision and condescension.

Erin’s talking quietly with Shane. She turns and gestures for us. I smile and then reach out and tangle my fingers in Bray’s. He looks at me and then around at the people who are watching us, but I just smile wider and confidently cross the road.

“I ordered thick shakes,” Erin says with a wink in my direction.

Flashes of last night slam into me, leaving me overheated and desperate to drag her off and repeat the experience.

Finn laughs at something a tall guy says with a mass of straw-coloured hair and turns to us. “Guys, this is Doctor Wade James.”

He smiles, and it touches his distracted eyes. He’s a tall man, dressed haphazardly, and he looks awkward, and I wonder if he feels as awkward without his doctor’s stuff as I feel without my guitar.

“Locke.”

I wait for the recognition, but it never comes. He just bobs his head, says hello, mumbles something, and then abruptly turns and leaves. I think this town might be the only place on Earth that hasn’t heard of Locke Raines.

“He’s nervous around people when he’s not being a doctor. I swear, when you see him in action, you’ll understand,” Finn says with a shrug of his shoulders.

Finn leads the way to a small table and chairs set up under an umbrella. Bray sits down, and because there are only four seats, I sit on his thigh. When a woman walks past and gives us a filthy look, I just wink at her and stroke Bray’s chest with one finger. She hurries away, her eyes averted.

“This town is amazing,” Erin says in awe. I wonder if she, like I, is experiencing a slightly less enthusiastic version of amazing.

“You should see it when it’s not like this. It is the most peaceful place on earth.” Finn smiles as he gets lost in memory, and it makes me wish I could see it like that. I shift uncomfortably.

I’m not staying. I can’t stay.

We’ve talked about this. I have to go back. They know that, right? This isn’t forever, this is just fun times. Why am I forgetting? Why has this whole day had me looking for a future I can’t have?

The shakes are placed on the table.

“Thanks, Holly.”

Holly looks to be mid-thirties with rosy cheeks and dimples. She smiles at Finn, but her blush goes deeper when she looks at Shane, and I realise someone has a crush.

I want to tease the big alpha, but I don’t even think he realises. Erin and I exchange a look and then deliberately drop our eyes. A silent agreement.

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