Page 33 of Pack Favero

Banding his arms around me and kissing me back with equal amounts of desperation, Alek drinks me in like a man who’s been dying of thirst out in the desert, and I can’t get enough of it. My fingers tangle in the strands of his hair atthe nape of his neck as I kiss him, breathing in his scent and committing it to memory as if it wasn’t already firmly planted there to stay.

It takes some effort to pull away a second time, but I manage it with only two more brief pecks to tie me over for the rest of the day. I’m a little dazed when I finally drop my hands, sliding them over his impressive chest that I realize is rumbling with another purr, and I slowly grin before opening my eyes once more.

Our gazes collide, and my breath stalls in my lungs at the pure hunger painted over his strong, handsome face. I have to make the conscious decision not to steal more kisses, because I will undoubtedly be late then, and the big bastard slowly grins knowingly.

With a cheeky wink and one last squeeze of his arms around me, Alek finally pulls back and says, “Best get that pretty little ass of yours back to work before I decide to steal you away, little lady.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad to me,” I confess breathlessly, and I smile when he laughs loudly before groaning.

“As much as I want to, I shouldn’t get you into trouble. Barnes would try and kick my ass and I’d have to embarrass him and none of us want that. So, quit giving me those eyes and testing the limits of my restraint. You’re already too tempting, and I’m walking a tightrope,” he playfully grumbles, eyeing me for a long moment before he sighs and smiles. “Get the rest of your work day done, and then you can come over and I can kiss you stupid in front of the others to rub it in that I got to taste you first.”

My laugh bursts out of me, my blush warming my cheeks instantly, and I shove him away playfully. “Bold of you to assume I haven’t kissed any of the others.”

“Oh, baby. I’d know if you did, because they would brag,too,” he chuckles darkly, winking down at me as I shake my head in disbelief.

“Whatever. Enjoy the rest of your day and I might see you later,” I snicker, moving away from him one shaking step at a time.

Alek chuckles lowly, watching me go like a predator watching his prey. “Oh, playing hard to get now, are we?”

I shrug and his grin turns wicked as he watches me step further and further away from him until I’m forced to turn and start walking toward the library. Before I move too far, though, I call over my shoulder, “Bye, baby!”

Alek’s laughter follows after me as I rush back to my desk in the library, practically floating on cloud nine as I go.

That cloud is suctioned into a vacuum of dread when I spy Hunter already leaning against my desk, perking up the moment he sees me rushing into the library.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, forcing a smile onto my face that had been real only moments before. “Hey. Is everything okay?”

Hunter nods and I’m sure I catch his nostrils flare as he inhales before he narrows his eyes on me for a split second before doubling his efforts to smile big. “Everything is perfect. I only stopped by again because I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch some time. Maybe show me around campus. I’ve only been here a week, and you’re the only coworker I’ve had a decent conversation with thus far. Making friends isn’t my strong suit, but maybe we could strike up a friendship?”

Feeling trapped and not wanting to be outright rude after brushing him off before, I find myself nodding and feeling sick at the motion. “Uh, sure, maybe.”

As though he senses my reluctance, he holds his hands out and assures, “Just as friends, I promise.”

I’m opening my mouth to reluctantly agree when anotherone of my saviors strides through the door as though there really is a god looking down on me today. Barnes, dressed in his usual slacks and shirt, very similarly dressed to Alek, tucks his cell into his pocket with his eyes on Hunter before they dart to me.

There’s a fierce spark of something in those dark-sapphire pools as he watches me while he storms across the floor to my desk, and I swallow as a bubble of anticipation flares to life in my chest. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a little jealousy in those eyes, a tiny speck of anger, and a whole lot of intensity that comes from him in waves. It’s heady and addictive, and I almost forget Hunter is standing near my desk when I feel his clammy and hot hand press against my bicep. “Zira? Did you hear me?”

I startle, almost jumping away from the man and his overpowering stench, when Barnes finally reaches us. I’m moving before I even realize I’ve made the conscious decision to do so, my arm wrapping around Barne’s waist as I shuffle further away from Hunter, inhaling his bergamot and incense scent that soothes me in an instant.

Reaching up to the tips of my pumps, I press a brief kiss to his lips, hearing Barnes inhale sharply. I pull away and smile up at him as I say, “Two of my guys in one day. A girl could get used to this,” while my eyes roll in a gesture toward Hunter as I keeping my smile in place.

Instantly, Barnes tunes in to what I’m telling him without the words, and he sinks into his part as beautifully as Alek did. “Couldn’t stay away from you any longer, Freckles. I did text, but it seems you were busy with Alek.”

Fuck me if I’m not blushing furiously now, and Barnes narrows his eyes on me as though he’s telling me I’ve been caught doing something naughty. I don’t need that right now, because perfuming in front of Hunter makes me want to vomit, but I can’t help it. That look is setting my blood on fire, especially since I’m already riled up after Alek’s kisses.

Clearing my throat, I ask, “You did? Sorry, I haven’t checked my phone yet. Is everything okay?”

He nods slowly, tugging me closer to his body and further away from Hunter. “Sure is now. Just wanted to know if you were staying with us tonight or if you were going to see your mom after work?”

Before I can answer, Hunter interrupts, reminding me of his presence once more with a cough that sounds as false as the smiles I’ve been giving him. “Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. You are?”

Barnes and I turn to face Hunter, and I see that tightly wrangled anger flash before it’s gone again. I’m sure Barnes sees it, too. Or maybe he hears it in Hunter’s voice. Whatever it is, Barnes wraps his arm around my back before acting shocked to find another person nearby. “My apologies. I have blinders on when it comes to my Zira. She has that effect on her whole pack, it seems. Name’s Barnes Champion. I’m the art professor here at North U, and this one’s alpha. I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”

Hunter, to his credit, doesn’t shy away from the intensity that radiates from the six foot three inches of alpha that cuddles me close, Barnes’s hold is unrelenting and secure and exactly what I need. Who knew I’d need saving twice in one day?

“I’m the new biology professor. Hunter Gary Johnson the second,” Hunter introduces himself, and I wince. The second. Not the third. Oops.

“Huh. Welcome to North Five, Professor Johnson,” Barnes blandly welcomes, and my nostrils flare and my lips twitch as I try to bite back my amusement at his obvious attempt to brush off the man I can’t seem to shake today. When it doesn’t work, Hunter remaining where he’s standing, Barnes drops his arm from around me and snags my hand boldly before addressing Hunter, “You’ll have to forgive me for being rude, butMiss Favero and I are needed at the moment. I came to retrieve my rogue omega. Great meeting you, Howard.”

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