Page 61 of Pack Baines

“Keep looking at me like that, sweetheart, and I won’t be taking you anywhere but your nest and keeping you there until sun up tomorrow,” Evron teases, and my gaze snaps back to his face rather than the impressive length outlined in the tightest boxers known to man.

Blinking rapidly, I shake my head and blurt, “Sorry, what?”

Ev laughs, a heart-melting sound, and I feel my cheeks warm even as he reaches out for the waistband of my jeans and tugsme toward him, wrapping an arm around me the moment I’m close enough. Honestly, I wish he hadn’t, because I’ll be damned to hell if I don’t feel his cock pressed against my stomach when he hugs me close.

“Now, my little grumpy omega. Do you have a hoodie and jacket? Jeans without those sexy little tears all through them? And flat shoes?” he asks, hands roaming over my back until they hit the curve of my ass.

It takes me a moment to answer, his touch distracting me enough that it almost acts like a factory reset on my frazzled mind. “Uh, yeah. I think so. Are boots alright?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies with a cheeky grin that does wonders in lifting my spirits. Hell, I don’t even need a date. Just staring at that smile, even with its amusement directed at me, would be enough to put me in a good mood.

Clearing my throat now that I sufficiently feel like a sap, I inhale his scent before almost whispering, “Then I’ll just go get changed.”

“Or we could have a little party right here,” the goofball teases with a waggle of his eyebrows and a squeeze of my ass.

Laughing, I lean in and press a kiss to his jaw. “How about we make it an after party? You owe me a date and I’m much too curious about these plans of yours.”

“I’m good with an after party,” he volleys quickly, nodding rapidly while still grinning like I just offered him the answers to the universe. “Get dressed. I’m all excited and shit now, and I won’t be held accountable for my actions if you stay pressed up against me like that.”

After receiving one last tap to my ass, I snicker and leave him in the doorway, heading back to the guest room and dress appropriately. Once I’m tucked away in my hoodie, leather jacket, and dark blue jeans without the tears, I slide my feet into my Doc Martens and throw my hair up in a puny ponytail, snatch my camera frominside the closet, and leave the room with a pep in my step I haven’t felt all week.

For the first time since the encounter with the strange man who knew my name, I don’t feel so grouchy. It’s nice, and I hold on to that feeling as I head down the stairs and meet a nicely dressed Evron at the front door.

“You look stunning, as usual,” Ev compliments, winking at me as I step closer.

“You’re looking pretty fine yourself,” I offer, eyeing his denim jacket tucked over his crisp white hoodie and loose fit black jeans.

Flashing me another Evron Grin, he holds his hand out for me and says, “Come on then, sweetheart. Let’s get our date on.”

There’s no hesitation inside me when I slide my hand into his and allow him to lead me out of the house.

Chapter 23

Evron

My heart is pounding erratically beneath my chest and I can only pray to whatever Gods may or may not exist that Juno doesn’t hear it. If she does, she says nothing as she sits silently beside me as I drive us almost thirty minutes out of town for our date, still as amused as she was when she saw me carrying a picnic basket and two large blankets that smell like her and her pack. I’m pretty sure she already knows I stole them from her nest, but she’s happy enough to let me get away with it, her curiosity for our date guiding her with little resistance.

Our date that I’ve had planned since I read a few romance books as a kid and thought it would be something Juno would want, expect, and like. And now, here we are. Seated in the warmth of my car as I drive us to her surprise date. An actual, honest to godsdate.

I’m both nervous and excited all at once, and I’m pretty sure I’m not fooling a damned soul. The way I keep fidgeting with the radio dials, checking the heating, and stinking the place up with my nervous and jittery energy that I’m sure is affecting my scent are probably all dead giveaways.

As confirmed when Juno starts laughing quietly under her breath before swatting my hand away from the volume dial once more before turning it back to the even number she had it on before.

“Sorry,” I grimace, reaching my hand for the warmth of Juno’s thigh while I take in heady hits of her sugary scent still tainted with the faintest underlining of stress and anxiety. She hides it well, but her scent can’t lie, no matter how much she tries to mask it with her sweet, tropical perfume.

“What has you more nervous? Spending time alone with me, or my bad attitude lately?” she questions with a teasing lilt to her words.

I grin, knowing she’s only asking in an attempt to relax me. It’s still surreal that she’s even here, sitting in my car with me while I take her on a date I’ve been wanting for years, so her trying to lighten the mood with her teasing has me relaxing more than anything ever could.

“I mean, you’re grumpy ass has been a handful lately,” I volley, grinning wider when she snorts and nods in agreement. Squeezing her thigh, I draw her attention back and tell her honestly, “I’m never nervous having you all to myself, Blue. I’d steal you away at every moment I could if I knew it wouldn’t get my ass beat.”

Juno wraps her hand around my arm with a laugh, the warmth of her hand seeping into my already heated body. I risk offering her a quick wink before focusing once more on the road ahead.

“So, what has you acting all jittery?” she wonders, releasing my arm to retrieve her camera. The loss of her touch distracts me for only a moment before I force myself to concentrate on steering us safely to our destination.

It’s as I’m taking a bend slowly that I hear the shutter of a picture being taken, and I can’t help but smile, because there are only a few things in this world that I love more than a focused Juno doing what she loves.

I hear the shutter go off again, and I laugh as I straighten the wheel before risking a glance in her direction, only to find the camera lens pointed at me. Another photo is taken, and I spy abeautiful grin hidden behind the large camera’s frame as Juno snaps another photo.

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