Page 35 of Pack Favero

I grin.

He nods.

“I’ll pick you up at six on Saturday. Wear—”

“Comfy clothes?” I finish, laughing when he leans in to bite my lower lip before pulling back with amusement etched into his face.

“Comfy clothes,” he agrees, before finally letting me up.

After a couple of minutes of fixing our clothes and hair, and Barnes waiting for a certain appendage to calm the hell down—his words, not mine—we leave the small office and part at my desk with a lingering look. I’m relieved to find Hunter missing, and so I go right back to work with a pep in my step and excitement bubbling in my chest for my date with Barnes.

Oh, Alek will not be happy about that.

Chapter 12

Barnes

After receiving a lecture from Alek about stealing dates, and promptly ignoring the bastard after he stole Zira’s first kiss before I could claim it for myself, I hurry out of the house dressed in a hoodie and jeans, my boots laced snugly and a ballcap on my head. It’s not the most glamorous get up, but that’s not what I’m aiming for, especially because I know Zira isn’t one for the ‘opulent, overspending date’ kind of girl. Instead, I have an idea I think she’ll love, the car packed already with everything we’ll need, and I’ve been waiting anxiously all week to finally have her to myself.

All week, I’ve stopped by the library, teasing Zira about our date and stealing small kisses while I can, not wanting to push my luck, and it hasn’t been enough. I need that woman like I need air to breathe at this rate, and I’m done playing it safe when it comes to her. She’s more than proven that she can handle us. If Alek hasn’t chased her away just yet, I think we’ll be just fine.

Climbing into the driver's side of my car, I wave at Laz and Alek as they watch me go from the porch and drive to Zira’s house with only ten minutes to spare. My thumbs are tapping away at my steering wheel as I come to a stop at a red light when a text comes through my cell, the screen lighting up with Zira’s name.

ZIRA:Fit check. Will this do?

A photo follows, a mirror selfie of Zira with her fiery hair piled in its usual messy bun when she isn’t at work, and her body encased in a pair of black leggings, a matching cropped shirt,and a pair of combat boots I would have thought Juno would own. Zira, in her small frame and shorter stature without the heels, wears a puffy cropped jacket that hangs off one shoulder and hits her waist, posing with a peace sign and pouty lips. Fuck me, she’s beautiful.

I save the photo before sending a reply.

BARNES:Where do you stand with me ripping the eyes out of any man that looks at you tonight?

Her reply comes instantly, making me laugh with a shake of my head.

ZIRA:Who are you and what have you done with the sweet, caring man I’m used to?

Checking the light is still red, I type out a response.

BARNES:Still here, Freckles. Just with an added sprinkle of possessiveness than before, now that I don’t think you might run away from me if I showed my true colors.

ZIRA:And what colors are they? Every shade of dark romance book boyfriend? Not that I’m not into it, but warn an omega first. I have to change my panties.

Holy fucking shit. I just know she’s giggling to herself with that text, because I’ve seen the way she lights up when she’s flirting and bantering with Alek like it’s a sport she wants to win, but I’ll be damned if my cock doesn’t twitch as I reread the words to make sure they don’t change.

They don’t, and I’m so distracted by the image of a wet and needy Zira that I startle when someone honks behind me.

Throwing my hand out of the window with an apology, I finally pull off from the green light, driving straight to Zira’s withthat text still in my mind. By the time I pull up to the curb and jump out of the car, I’m about ready to haul the woman over my shoulder and finally take her in all the ways I’ve imagined over the weeks I’ve known her.

Knocking on the door opens it, and I curse when it swings open because Zira is far too trusting with her lock, I call, “Freckles?”

Just as I shut the door after myself, she steps out of the room I know her nest is located, attaching gold hoop earrings to her lobes before she stands fully and grins at me. “Hey. Excellent timing. I’m in fresh panties and ready to go.”

“Playing a dangerous game, Zira,” I warn her, only a note of playfulness in my voice, because my cock is already trying to thicken beneath my jeans, my knot throbbing at the simple image of her in nothing but those wet panties she’s apparently changed.

“You think I’m playing games? I’m an omega who hasn’t had sex in six years and just went through a heat that left me beyond unsatisfied and I’m being wooed by five gorgeous alphas, two of whom kiss like the devil. I wasn’t playing. Do you have any idea how slippery slick is? I’m not walking around with that on my thighs, thank you very much,” she sassily gripes, reaching for her cell and tucking it into the mesh side pockets of her leggings.

While she’s distracted, I’m storming over to her, gripping the back of her head the moment she raises it and slamming my mouth against hers in a savage kiss I never would have imagined giving her before she started coming out of her shell and proving she can handle whatever we have to give her. Hell, kissing Alek and me today was proof enough that the shy and bashful omega I thought I knew was only a front for the sassy, dirty-mouthed omega I’m obsessed with.

Laughing against my mouth but swinging her armsaround my shoulder and kissing me back, she lets me have my way with her for a long moment before we part, and I growl at her, “Stop talking about slick and your panties if you actually want to go on a date tonight.”

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