Page 32 of Pack Baines

“I have two. The oldest, bless her soul, is a sweet little thing. No idea what designation she’ll be, but she’s just like her omega daddy, all soft edges and calm demeanor. Our three-year-old, though? Hell on two legs. That kid is running us ragged, and I can barely keep up, and that’s with two other alphas and an omega looking after him.”

Snorting, I start wiping down the counters as I say, “Sounds like you’ve all got your hands full.”

“Oh, for sure, hon. Wouldn’t have it any other way, though,” she fondly answers, slipping her hand in the pocket of her apron and pulling out her cell phone. After only a few swipes, she pulls up a family photo of her with a rowdy copper haired and beautifully freckled boy on her hip, a dark-haired girl holding her hand as she looks up at her mama. On each side of Gabby are handsome men, one a foot taller with dark hair and a soft smile, another bulked out and grinning wildly, and the third stands only an inch shorter than Gabby but with a megawatt smile and a love shining in his eyes so fierce that it’s easily recognizable.

“You have a beautiful family,” I offer with honesty, a pang of envy riddling through my veins at the sight. What I would have given to have a pack like that growing up. Although, in a way, I did. They just weren’t made of blood, but bonds of love, trust, and loyalty instead.

“Thanks, hon,” Gabby grins, accepting her cell back and looking down at the photo with a soft look I’ve only ever seen on MamaBear. “They’re definitely my heart and soul. But damn, could I do with a full night’s sleep.”

“The joys of kids,” I mutter, snickering under my breath when she snorts in response. “If you want, I’m more than happy to clean and lock up. I know it’s my first day, but if you tell me what you do to close up, I can get it done. Get home early and catch a little more sleep.”

Gabby pauses, and I pretend like I can’t feel her eyeing me closely. I mean, I’m no stranger to locking up, may it be a bar, club, or diner. I’ve worked in enough of the same environments that I know the basics.

“You’d do that?” she finally asks, and I turn to look at her, seeing the dark circles under her eyes, the way her blinks slow like she’s ready to fall asleep standing up.

Tucking the cloth under the counter, I turn and lean my hip against it and cross my arms. “I’d do that. I’m happy to do it, too. You can trust me, I’ve done this plenty over the years.”

That has her frowning, but eventually, she nods in agreement, her lack of sleep winning out over my past work experience. “You know what, that would be amazing. Thanks, hon.”

“Anytime,” I shrug, and she removes her apron and rushes for her purse like she’s afraid I’ll change my mind. She hands me the keys, gives me a quick rundown on how to shut the place down, and tears me into a grateful hug that makes me ten shades of uncomfortable before she hustles out of the diner without so much as a backward glance.

Stunned, I shake my head and simply go about the continuation of cleaning. I’m wiping down the tables just as the front doorbell jingles, and the wind brings with it a familiar scent that has me turning instantly.

“Hey, you,” Lowie greets, coming over without hesitation. He takes a seat right in front of me, drops his keys and cell phone on the surface of the counter, and crosses his arms as he leans close like he can’t help it. “How’s it going?”

“It’s good,” I answer, my heart beating erratically, a ridiculous giddiness swarming my chest at the very sight of him. “You’re here late. I thought you’d stop by earlier.”

Lowie shrugs. “I’m here until you finish your shift.”

My mouth parts in surprise, and I remind him, “I have another hour left, yet.”

“Then you should probably get me a coffee and a muffin while I wait,” he volley’s slowly, right before a small grin teases his lips.

Rolling my eyes with a puff of laughter, I go about making him a fresh coffee, and plate him a triple-chocolate muffin before sliding them across the counter to him. Biting my lip, I lean my arms on the counter and watch as Lowie pulls the coffee close, adds two sugars and cream, before taking a sip despite the steam wafting from it. He watches me over the rim of the mug, pretty blue eyes glittering under the low lights, before he sets down the mug and says, “Thank you, Angel.”

“Mhm,” I answer, dropping my chin in my hand. “So, how come you’re staying until closing?”

“I’ll answer on two conditions,” he counters, sipping his coffee again, and making no move to tell me what that condition is.

I raise an eyebrow. “And what are they?”

“First, kiss me,” he demands, that tease of a smile breaking free, stunning me a second time tonight. In fact, it steals every thought from my head, and I find myself staring at the obnoxiously handsome guy like I haven’t known him most of my life. That smile of his grows, stealing more of my sanity, and says, “Whenever you’re ready, Angel.”

That teasing note snaps me out of my staring, and I snort before rounding the counter. I step between Lowie’s legs the moment he turns on his seat, his thighs parting enough to draw me close, and he doesn’t give me a chance to hesitate before he’s cupping my face gently and pressing his lips to mine.

Sighing against him, I sink into his kiss, my hands finding purchase on his waist. I grip his shirt tightly while he kisses me soundly and thoroughly, uncaring that we’re in a diner where there are still patrons, if only three of them.

“Hmm,” he hums against my lips, thumbs stroking my cheeks before pulling back slightly. Right before he draws me back for another kiss, filled with passion and yearning and everything in between. I can feel my skin warming as my mind succumbs to his touch, his tongue dueling with mine, while his scent envelops me from head to toe. He must feel it, too, because he pulls away again, only further this time. When my eyes flutter open, I find him smirking at me, a cocksure look that makes me roll my eyes at the asswad, even as he says, “See, now that’s a better hello.”

“You should have started with that if that’s what you were after,” I mumble, happy to stay where I am for the time being, my hands still fisted in his shirt without the intention of letting go.

Lowie’s smirk turns into a cheeky smile, one that he rarely displays, and my heart melts in my chest. “Good to know for the future.”

I flash a quick grin before asking, “So, what’s the other condition since I paid the welcome tax?”

With a snort, Lowie drops his hands and wraps them loosely around my waist. Unless I wish to be trapped, I have no choice but to drop my own over his shoulders. Tugging me a little closer, he answers with a soft command disguised as a question. “Let me stay with you tonight?”

“That’s your other condition?” I snicker, wrapping my arms tighter around him even as butterflies erupt in my stomach. Knowing he wants to spend the night with me is heady, and I could easily get drunk off the feeling that evokes in every atom of my body. It’s been so long since I felt this way that I barely know what to do with myself.

---