Page 33 of Death and Donuts

“I can’t decide between la soupe au pistou with fresh rosemary bread or the tomato and basil soup with goat cheese tartine,” I said. All I knew was that I had to save room for dessert. The mille feuille and kouign amann were calling my name.

“What if we get both and split it?” he asked, hammering home just how perfect he was. Not only did he bring me to a place he knew I’d love, but it might be the inspiration for the bakery I needed.

“I’d like that a lot,” I said.

A stunningly beautiful woman with white-blue eyes framed with dark eyelashes emerged from the beaded curtain. She smiled in welcome.

“What tempts you today?” she asked.

“All of it,” I admitted.

She laughed. The sound was alluring enough that I felt the typical fae attraction.

“We’ll take one of each special and share,” Shepard said.

“Anything to drink?” she asked.

“Water for me,” I said.

“Same,” Shepard said.

She left us, and Shepard reached across the table to take my hand. His fingers barely closed over mine when his phone buzzed with a message.

I saw the annoyance flash over his expression.

“I don’t mind if you need to check your phone, Shepard.”

“But I do,” he said. “I don’t want anything to interrupt us. And if I’m honest, I’m a little disappointed that you’re okay with it.”

“I’m not the clingy type, Shepard. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’ll just disappoint you. I’m more of the equal partner and mutual respect type.”

He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “I like that you’re not clingy and are independent. A little bit of a pout when I leave your side is just to boost my battered ego.”

“Battered? How was—” I closed my mouth, understanding. He wanted to know he was wanted regardless of how I felt for Cross.

I held out my hand. “Phone.”

He flashed me a grin and handed it over.

Doc: I think we might have a problem. Call me.

Shepard: You’re interrupting your alpha’s date with the incredibly cute human who fed you a homemade breakfast this morning and not your alpha. Is it really important? If not, your alpha’s attention is mine for the next hour.

Shepard made a low sound that teased my senses as he read it and hit send.

“I wouldn’t mind if you were a bit possessive,” he said, the corner of his mouth tilting up.

“Possessiveness could become stifling after a while,” I said, knowing damn well I was flirting with a man who would very much like to be possessive with me.

“Then let’s have a safeword. I’ll let you know when you go too far.”

The room felt ten degrees warmer when his phone buzzed again. It took him a few seconds to break the hold his gaze had on mine to check who’d messaged. When he read it, he growled lightly and stood.

“I’ll be right back.”

I watched him walk out with his phone and pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm my thundering pulse.

Aibell emerged with two glasses of water.

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