Page 11 of Building My Pack

"And you've got a business together?"

Rubbing the slight stubble on his chin, he nods once. "We do. He'd been right at the stage of startup with it when we met. He's one of the best when it comes to buying properties and flipping for a profit. Being so good landed him in a position of needing help selling said properties, and we just so happened to have a ‘right place at the right time’ kind of moment. Now, here we are. We've got a thriving business, share a big house on a nice piece of property, and wining and dining a beautiful lady. Well, Kennedy would be if he wasn't being a stick in the mud tonight."

I'd just about taken a drink of my wine and thank goodness that I didn't. He might've ended up wearing it as I snort a soft laugh at him calling Kennedy a stick in the mud. The big man may be a lot of things, but I doubt he's boring. At least he didn't come off that way over the weekend. Before we can say anything else, the waiter brings out our food. I'm able to get in a few bites before Santiago asks a question I wasn't prepared to answer tonight.

"So, I heard a rumor," he says, wrapping spaghetti around his fork with a spoon. "Weren't you dating someone that worked in your office for a while?"

I almost choke on the hunk of pasta that doesn't get chewed all the way in my distraction but manage and then give him a slight nod.

Which he immediately mirrors. "Rumor has it you guys broke up."

There's no telling what the expression is that first flashes across my face at the mention of George, but it has him backtracking his words. "I mean, if that's wrong. I wouldn't mind courting him, too, if that means I can sway you both to our pack eventually."

Courting.That one word throws up the biggest red flag and makes me want to storm from the table and walk home if I have to. Even in the heels. It stalls me in my tracks and all I can do is stare at him.

That cocky, lopsided smile drops into a frown as he says, "Hey, look, I'm sorry. You can tell me it's none of my business. I get caught up in the moment and carried away when I'm talking to people. It's actually a curse as much as it is a blessing. Helps with business when properties need to be sold but tends to make people uncomfortable privately sometimes."

Now I've gone and made the man feel bad and apologize for asking a simple question. For what? Because he used an omega word and I'm scared that he knows my secret? Sheesh, I really need to get my act together. So, what do I do instead of telling him the real reason I clammed up? I furnish way too much info into the George situation, leaving out as much as I can about our designations so that I don't slip up.

"His name is George, and unfortunately he still works in my agency," I admit. "We'd been together since college, and I'd hoped to marry him someday. The day I thought he was going to propose, he confessed to cheating on me with an intern who also works with us. Tried for years to appease the man's goals for myself, and he turned around and left me for a woman with a pack."

"Sounds completely selfish to me, if I'm honest," he sympathizes.

Having still not met his gaze, I reply, "It definitely was, but now that it's happened, I've been able to see more clearly about the kind of person he is. So, in actuality, he did me a long-term favor." Then I finally glance up at him. "What about the Cooper Kane rumor about a two-man pack? Are you guys happy?"

His eyes narrow slightly in a playful way before he answers, "I'm not sure if you're asking if we're an actual couple or not with that. Kennedy and I are business partners turned the best of friends. We're definitely a two-man pack as you say, but it's nothing romantic. Strictly platonic."

I open my mouth to ask if they've ever considered adding an omega to give them the official pack status, but I don't for two reasons. One, I don't want to open the door to that topic and accidentally fall through it. Two, I honestly don't like the thought of them being with other women, so I'd rather not hear sordid details on it. Turns out I don't even need to since he carries on like I asked anyway.

"We've submitted our pack to the omega center for appraisal, but we've heard nothing back. Normally, alphas get phone call interviews and then, of course, home inspections and interviews. Yet, we never got any of that. Kennedy seems to think that it's because, though we are successful businessmen, that we're lacking at being able to properly care for an omega with just the two of us."

"Wow, that's pretty biased if it's true," I tell him, surprised.

Shrugging, he replies, "It would be if it's true, but we aren't for certain that's what's going on. They could've lost our application, or a number of other things. Either way, we decided it'd be best just to let pieces fall as they may rather than fighting them on it. We've dated a few betas here and there, but between the three of us, there were always setbacks and never worked out."

Being so far out of the proper designation loop for so long, it's easy to forget sometimes how it works. Like both of them dating the same beta. I'd always grown up with two betas who were—and still are—amorously devoted to each other. Which is what I thought I had with George for years. My feelings are a mixed bag of emotions right now. On the one hand, hearing about their beta girlfriends makes me less suspicious of their behavior toward me. There's always that niggling voice in the back of my mind worried about keeping my secret and if people might've figured it out. Then, on the other hand, I wonder if it would be so terrible to not live this lie anymore. To admit that I would gladly slide myself between him and Kennedy, preferably naked, and possibly be the omega they've always wanted to fulfill their pack desired instincts.

"Are you happy?" I ask him.

The left side of his lips pull up. "At the moment, I'm very happy. Full stomach and a beautiful woman across from me. The only thing that could possibly make me any happier is if she'd agree to a second date with me this weekend. I can even promise something a little lighter and more fun."

I allow him to purposefully avoid the true question and succumb to his flirting. "Where did you have in mind?"

Leaning across the table, he whispers, "Say yes and let it be a surprise. You'll find I'm really good at those."

He's close enough to get a good strong dose of that summer rain, and it sucks me in just as quickly as the hopeful expression he's wearing on that devastatingly handsome face. "Yes."

Looking rather pleased with himself, he requests the check and pays, giving me time to reflect on the fact that I just agreed so easily to another date with him. Perhaps with Kennedy along, too. My heart is racing before he even stands and offers a hand to help me out of my seat and leads us out of the restaurant.

I'm still dazed on the ride home, but that doesn't mean I miss the way his eyes cut over every so often, taking in my body from my exposed legs up to my face. The warmth it causes in the deepest places of my belly makes me want to do something rash like invite him into my house when we arrive.

Unfortunately, the only action that happens is when he helps me out and walks me to the door, he tucks me tight against his chest before placing a lingering kiss on my cheek. I could swear that he inhales sharply, but it might just be my imagination, too, since the scent of him has driven all intelligent thoughts from my mind. Then he's releasing me and walking back to his car, leaving me more bereft than even George's betrayal did.

I want to yell at him to stay, or ask if I can have his number, but I can't seem to squeeze the words out. Realizing that he's waiting patiently until I'm inside, I unlock the door and give him a short wave before going in. I likely curse myself a dozen times the rest of the night about not speaking up when I wanted to. Especially when I still smell the lingering rainstorm in my house. As crazy as it sounds, I not only find myself excited at the thought of our next date this weekend, but also worried that I might be setting myself up for failure with these alphas. Maybe it'd be a good idea if he stands me up, and a small part of me hopes that he does so that I don't have to face the consequences of withholding the truth if this turns into something long-term. Of course, that omega part of me that should be sequestered, cries at that thought. It's a good thing I've got a doctor appointment this week, because this clash of emotions is not supposed to be happening. I'm absolutely hopeless where Santiago Cooper is concerned.

Chapter 7

Bryce

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